california fm: a network vision
TRANSCRIPT
California FMA network vision for
community radio, independent culture and true democracy
Community radio stations are free-speech holdouts in a world ofconsolidated corporate media ...
Community radio supports local music, art, and culture.
Workroom locker at the former KUSF-FM, via RadioSurvivor.com
Community radio stations open the airwaves to independent news reporting, and help start important conversations.
Radio Voz in Burley, Idaho, via International Media Action/imarad.io
Now, thanks to the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, a national boom, bloom
and blossoming of low-power FM radio (LPFM) is at hand.
“There were over 2800 applications and it should lead to the largest expansion of community radio in U.S. history. This will be the first time that a significant number of new community radio stations are started in the top 50 urban markets since the ’70s, and most cities have between three and seven new channels available. Some cities have dozens of competitors for these channels.”
— Pete Tridish, Prometheus Radio founder
Full essay at: http://imarad.io/?p=261
HOWEVER.
HOWEVER.There are some issues
to deal with.
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Resources and funding forthese new stations are limited.
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One solution:Community radio producers need to learn how to work together. Pooling
resources and combining strengths will create something stronger, more
inclusive, and more lasting.
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One solution:Good partnerships between
stations and nonprofits can also set the stage for building a new community-radio network.
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Partnerships can be hard. Community-radio volunteers are
sometimes a bit ... divided.
Raising of the Berlin Wall.
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And internal divisions can weaken a community, making it less competitive at every turn, and vulnerable to conquest in
the brutal radio market.
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COMPETITION: Mainstream public media has historically
tried to squash nonprofit community radio.
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National Public Radio opposedthe national LPFM expansion
in numerous FCC filings.
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National Public Radio opposed* the national LPFM expansion
in numerous FCC filings.
* “NPR’s war on Low Power FM,” ArsTechnica.com, April 27, 2008
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In the Bay Area, KQED was one of the early bidders in the process that ultimately led to
the sale and shutdown of KUSF-FM.
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Insiders say that KQED’s regional rival, Capital Public Radio, is also looking for a
nonprofit frequency in San Francisco.
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COMPETITION: Commercial broadcasters also want
to shut LPFM down.
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Radio-industry insiders expect the National Association of Broadcasters to
take numerous procedural steps with the FCC to try and shut down LPFM before
it can really take root.
How can local DJs, journalists, musicians and radio producers thrive on the airwaves in this savage environment?
Solidarity. Shared resources.
New networks.
Solidarity. Shared resources.
New networks.
California FM is a vision for a new community FM-radio network that can
help local broadcasters survive and thrive in California and beyond.
It can start in San Francisco.
We have the community.
We have the resources.
All we need is to work together.
WHAT WE’RE WORKING TOWARD
• A well-managed station that’s going to last. Finances, operations, volunteer facilitation, morale and partnerships are all issues.
WHAT WE’RE WORKING TOWARD
• A well-managed station that’s going to last. Finances, operations, volunteer facilitation, morale and partnerships are all issues.
• No Petitions To Deny: Ugly business
WHAT WE’RE WORKING TOWARD
• A well-managed station that’s going to last. Finances, operations, volunteer facilitation, morale and partnerships are all issues.
• No Petitions To Deny: Ugly business
• Workers Own The Means of Production
WHAT WE’RE WORKING TOWARD
• A well-managed station that’s going to last. Finances, operations, volunteer facilitation, morale and partnerships are all issues.
• No Petitions To Deny: Ugly business
• Workers Own The Means of Production
• No interference in the public-interest work of DJs, journalists and radio producers
WHAT WE’RE WORKING TOWARD
• A well-managed station that’s going to last. Finances, operations, volunteer facilitation, morale and partnerships are all issues.
• No Petitions To Deny: Ugly business
• Workers Own The Means of Production
• No interference in the public-interest work of DJs, journalists and radio producers
• Resources and allies for the long battles ahead
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
• The awesome radio station of our dreams
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
• The awesome radio station of our dreams
• Anchor for California FM network; venue and services for other stations and producers
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
• The awesome radio station of our dreams
• Anchor for California FM network; venue and services for other stations and producers
• Supportive peer culture w/ anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
• The awesome radio station of our dreams
• Anchor for California FM network; venue and services for other stations and producers
• Supportive peer culture w/ anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies
• No dues
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
• The awesome radio station of our dreams
• Anchor for California FM network; venue and services for other stations and producers
• Supportive peer culture w/ anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies
• No dues
• Recovered/restored library & archives
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
• The awesome radio station of our dreams
• Anchor for California FM network; venue and services for other stations and producers
• Supportive peer culture w/ anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies
• No dues
• Recovered/restored library & archives
• New on-air home for journalists, DJs and cultural advocates who share our values
WHAT WE COULD BUILD
Maybe something that can change the world.
Want to get involved? Please contact us!
Jeff Shaw — Common Frequency
Josh Wilson — Watershed Media Project
Todd Urick — Founder & Chief Engineer