Turntable at college radio station KHDX. Photo: J. Waits

College Radio Watch: Fires, Me Too, Regional College Radio Groups and More News

By Jennifer Waits on October 20, 2017 in College Radio, College Radio Survivor

It’s been rough in Northern California lately, with many of my friends, family, and colleagues grappling with the outbreak of wildfires across many different regions. Luckily a number of these fires are nearly contained, although I’m still worried about friends near a newer fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ever since the first fires started back on October 8, I’ve been keeping an eye on radio’s response in the affected towns. As expected, radio has served a heroic role, providing information, comfort, and community during these disasters. My colleague Paul wrote a great piece yesterday outlining how some radio stations in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties have stepped up during these local emergencies. With power and internet down in many places, radio was a vital source of information.

Radio Survivor on the Radio

Speaking of local radio, our weekly Radio Survivor Podcast is now available for broadcast over the radio. Interested non-commercial radio stations (terrestrial and/or online) can join our free, affiliate program in order to air the hour-long radio show. We’ve already had interest from many stations, so the Radio Survivor Podcast could be coming to a college or community radio station near you in the weeks to come. Let us know if your station would like to air our show.

“Me Too”: Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Radio

All women have painfully-familiar stories about sexual harassment and it’s been both empowering and maddening to read so many personal anecdotes as “me too” conversations swirl on social media. In a piece that I posted yesterday, I share tales from college radio participants and challenge college radio stations to step up and speak out against sexism and sexual harassment of all forms. I’d love to hear about your experiences in college radio and what you are doing to help make a difference.

Shining a Light on Local College Radio Organizations and Conferences

I was downright giddy when I learned about the launch of a brand new regionally-focused college radio organization in Arkansas earlier this year. The establishment of the Arkansas College Radio Association is a great example of the ways that college radio participants can create meaningful local connections with their radio colleagues. Similarly, a group of college radio stations met up in Virginia for a one-day symposium hosted by WTJU in March and the event was so successful that it is being followed up by the 5 Conversations Unconference at University of Virginia this Saturday, October 21. In an article for Radio World, I give both a history of college radio organizations and also recap a few regional college radio gatherings and organizations. If there are other locally-focused college radio groups, please keep me posted by letting me know in the comments.