SENTIENT TIMES February/March '05

Low Power FM Radio Coming to the Rogue Valley

By Suzia Aufderheide

“Promoting localism means ensuring that local communities can rely upon their local television and radio stations to deliver local news, which includes, among other things, local political coverage, local weather, and local community affairs. Promoting localism also requires that broadcast stations reflect and create opportunities for local artists and create avenues for other forms of local self-expression.”*

The Rogue Valley now has the oppo-rtunity to grow a Low Power FM radio station which will provide the opportunity for a myriad of local voices to blossom—from local news and opinion shows to musicians and other vocal artists—enabling our community to more easily communicate with one another. A station which can provide reporting that springs from a basic respect for the rights of people towards self-government, reason and conscience and providing accurate information so people can make wise decisions concerning our communities.

Last January a group of more than fifty Rogue Valley citizens met to vision what 100 watt radio station 94.9 KSKQ-LP could look and sound like within a democratic structure that includes the entire community. Par-ticipants brainstormed ideas for structuring the organization, technical needs, programming, fund raising, advocacy, alternative energy and more.

With a focus on weaving together the spiritual, cultural and political aspects of our community, 94.9 KSKQ-LP can become our local remedy to “centralized, homogenized, and uniform programming operated without the input or participation of individuals who live in the local communities to be served.” We can make the Rogue Valley an example of honesty, forthrightness, and truth to power, as well as truth in reporting. As artist Sandra Basudde said at the first meeting, KSKQ can “demonstrate how to have a place not to agree, but to discuss.”

This embryonic project, off the grid and powered by the wind and sun, needs a large community to design, develop and build it. Our next monthly meeting will be February 5 at 1pm, venue to be announced. All are welcome. For information please visit www.media-eye.org or call (541) 482-0102.

* From comments to the FCC from the American Federation of Musicians, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Future of Music Coalition, The Recording Academy, Recording Artists Coalition.

SENTIENT TIMES
PO Box 1330 Ashland, OR 97520
PHONE (541) 512-1084 • FAX (541) 512-1085
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