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Radio News: 20130924 (Audio)
Sep 24, 2013
Produced by Tom Roe (3:24)
Reports on the end of "Free Speech Radio News," a Federal Communications Commissioner trying to stabilize AM radio, and the FCC schedules an Oct. 3 webinar about how non-profit organizations can apply for low-power FM radio licences.
"Free Speech Radio News," a show that included freelance audio journalism from around the world and aired on WGXC 90.7-FM at 6:30 p.m., and more lately, 6 p.m., will air its final show Fri., Sept. 27. The show ends because of a financial struggle. "Our major funder Pacifica has not been able to pay us and its past-due balance to FSRN is about $198,000," the show's board of directors said in a letter announcing the end. "Our production currently costs about $36,000 per month. Until recently, your dollars supplemented a $25,000 per month contract with our major donor, the Pacifica Foundation. But our current contract is for just $10,000 per month, which is not enough to sustain daily production at current levels." The show emerged, in January, 2000, according to Wikipedia, as freelance reporters for the former Pacifica Network News engaged in a strike over censorship by Pacifica's then Executive Director and Board. The strike ended in March, 2002 when the board was replaced and "Free Speech Radio News," since then, received major financial support from Pacifica. The New York Times recently reported Pacifica owes more than $2 million in broadcast fees to “Democracy Now!.”
"Free Speech Radio News," a show that included freelance audio journalism from around the world and aired on WGXC 90.7-FM at 6:30 p.m., and more lately, 6 p.m., will air its final show Fri., Sept. 27. The show ends because of a financial struggle. "Our major funder Pacifica has not been able to pay us and its past-due balance to FSRN is about $198,000," the show's board of directors said in a letter announcing the end. "Our production currently costs about $36,000 per month. Until recently, your dollars supplemented a $25,000 per month contract with our major donor, the Pacifica Foundation. But our current contract is for just $10,000 per month, which is not enough to sustain daily production at current levels." The show emerged, in January, 2000, according to Wikipedia, as freelance reporters for the former Pacifica Network News engaged in a strike over censorship by Pacifica's then Executive Director and Board. The strike ended in March, 2002 when the board was replaced and "Free Speech Radio News," since then, received major financial support from Pacifica. The New York Times recently reported Pacifica owes more than $2 million in broadcast fees to “Democracy Now!.”