2008 Woodie Awards
Illini Media
WPGU
buzz
Illio
TechnographIf they build it, they will broadcast
By Jenn Rourke
Posted: 10/20/05 Section: News
"Each barn-raising produces a radio station," according to the Prometheus Web site. "But also hundreds of newly-trained volunteers, ready to support the new station and ply their skills at other stations all across the country."
Prometheus previously set up a low-power FM radio station in the Houston Astrodome on Sept. 13 for Hurricane Katrina victims, according to the Prometheus' Web site.
"The purpose of WRFU is to give more access to the radio waves to the people," said Melchi. "As opposed to being run by corporate interests ... outside of our community."
Andrew O'Baoill, station member, said WRFU would strive for diversity at its highest level.
"We have shows focused on Scandinavian music, on sound art, on Puerto Rican music," O'Baoill said.
The station also will feature a simulcast of the nationally syndicated call-in show from Radio Bilingue, he said
"We're committed to serving all groups within our community, and programming in various languages, by members of the community, is something we encourage," O'Baoill said.
WRFU is still in the process of forming its programming schedule, proposing shows and getting trained to be on-air, Melchi said.
The station also has a very flexible scheduling policy, O'Baoill said.
"If you can imagine it, we can schedule it," he said.
Champaign already has one community radio outlet in the form of WEFT, a 10,000W station that has been broadcasting on 90.1 FM since 1981. The addition of WRFU is not meant to necessarily compete with that station, but rather to allow people in the community an even greater opportunity to be heard and to "get our foot in the door a little more and shove it a little farther open," Melchi said.
Mike Lehman, a founding member of the Independent Media Center, said there would be differences and similarities between the two stations, but that WRFU is trying to keep competition minimal.
"There might be things you won't hear on WEFT," he said. "There might be a lot of overlap. Community media tends to be synergistic, because there (are) 40 commercial stations out there, and this is what people really want to listen to, not just some pitch."
WRFU also does not plan on holding pledge drives or asking for donations very often, in order to keep from cutting into WEFT's contribution base, Lehman said.
Prometheus previously set up a low-power FM radio station in the Houston Astrodome on Sept. 13 for Hurricane Katrina victims, according to the Prometheus' Web site.
"The purpose of WRFU is to give more access to the radio waves to the people," said Melchi. "As opposed to being run by corporate interests ... outside of our community."
Andrew O'Baoill, station member, said WRFU would strive for diversity at its highest level.
"We have shows focused on Scandinavian music, on sound art, on Puerto Rican music," O'Baoill said.
The station also will feature a simulcast of the nationally syndicated call-in show from Radio Bilingue, he said
"We're committed to serving all groups within our community, and programming in various languages, by members of the community, is something we encourage," O'Baoill said.
WRFU is still in the process of forming its programming schedule, proposing shows and getting trained to be on-air, Melchi said.
The station also has a very flexible scheduling policy, O'Baoill said.
"If you can imagine it, we can schedule it," he said.
Champaign already has one community radio outlet in the form of WEFT, a 10,000W station that has been broadcasting on 90.1 FM since 1981. The addition of WRFU is not meant to necessarily compete with that station, but rather to allow people in the community an even greater opportunity to be heard and to "get our foot in the door a little more and shove it a little farther open," Melchi said.
Mike Lehman, a founding member of the Independent Media Center, said there would be differences and similarities between the two stations, but that WRFU is trying to keep competition minimal.
"There might be things you won't hear on WEFT," he said. "There might be a lot of overlap. Community media tends to be synergistic, because there (are) 40 commercial stations out there, and this is what people really want to listen to, not just some pitch."
WRFU also does not plan on holding pledge drives or asking for donations very often, in order to keep from cutting into WEFT's contribution base, Lehman said.
The Daily Illini encourages on-topic discussion through article commenting on its articles and blogs. It is our policy not to delete any comments based upon political or ideological point of view. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are abusive, off-topic or use excessive foul language.
If you feel any post meets these conditions or merits reviewm please e-mail our editors at meonline@dailyillini.com