johnbasalla
Star Participant
They may not all be listening to radio, but many are.
They may not all be listening to radio, but many are.
I guess some of you think it's more important that students have a Class B toy than area residents have good access to public radio.
The facility I'm associated with works hard to put a worthy product on air and has succeeded. They have a format that is not duplicated on any of the large commercial stations.
Then again, if the university decides at some point that the cost outways the benefits, the uniqueness of format will not be much of a consideration, as demonstrated at several stations around the country. Especially if this is a private college.
To students, I emphasize: “We must protect us from ourselves.” By this warning, I mean we must remain relevant, so as not to give our school any reason to even think about selling the license. This might be accomplished, in part, by taking seriously the original spirit of the NCE (noncommercial educational) license classification — which does not emphasize training DJs … being merely a student-club activity … nor, most definitely, breaking new music (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
From his description, it sounds to me as though John’s station is nailing it in terms of relevance and purpose (well ‘guarding themselves’ — so, kudos to you, John).
Student radio stations are a toy for students to play with and a waste of institutional resources. They offer no educational benefit and do not serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.
In related news …
Study: More College Stations Considering Merging With Or Buying Other Stations (via All Access)
Clear channelizing student radio certainly doesn't provide opportunities for student participation or increase the kind of campus presence that makes campus radio unique.
Well actually it does, but in a more practical way than traditional student-run radio, by providing more real-life radio experience.
I had a unique experience, working at a college station, while also working at a commercial station. I did one for fun, the other for money. Of the 70 or so students who were at the college station, I was the only one who walked out of college with an actual job in radio, and I'm one of only a handful of all fellow alums who are still in the business. It's not because of my college radio experience.