Media
I must admit a certain amount of frustration with print media in this town. When we first started this station, someone told me that it wasn't worth talking to the papers as ultimately they would print the angle they were looking for regardless of what you say. I thought it a bit cynical at the time, but it's starting to feel that way.
While we have had some great articles covering Indie over the last year, what stands out are the articles in which information was left out or taken out of context.
The Reporter article today is an example. The focus of our station right now is in finding ways to continue broadcasting. The emphasis of the interview was that we will continue to stream on-line while we investigate other signal options, but apparently that wasn't worth mentioning.
This is where we want to focus, as it is one of our top priorities right now. Another priority is to raise awareness of what is going on these days with media in Santa Fe and across the nation. There are multiple media issues which should raise concern right now, big ones concerning internet radio, internet access and media ownership limits.The FCC is accepting comments on increasing media ownership limits, as this is written. This is where we would like to raise the level of public debate. These and other topics will be discussed in further detail at Santa Fe Brewing Company's Media Panel. Take the afternoon and join some of Santa Fe's media reps as they debate the issues facing our community and the nation.
Perhaps that could have been mentioned in the article. I know it's not scandalous or funny, but would have been accurate. The closest we came to accurate was the quote that our media concerns are bigger than Indie and the 101.5 signal. That and Chuck D coming to town- How cool is that.
We don't have to like what's going on here, but we have so much to continue trying to do, it's important to focus on what we believe to be beneficial for Santa Fe. The Community doesn't need any more scandals, we have the politicians for that. What we need is to support the things that are working for Santa Fe and we believe that independent media is one of those things. As we investigate options to keep serving the community - keep an eye on our website for ways to support us in these efforts.
Did I mention that Chuck D is coming to town? Want to hear his take on the Corporatization of America and other concerns - you can hear it on his Air America show and stay tuned for where you can catch him next week in Santa Fe. If you haven't heard it, check out "On the Real" with Chuck D - it's not your average talk show.
This has turned into quite the ramble, so I'll cut it off here. I just wanted you to know that regardless of what the papers say,we are continuing to do what we do best - playing a wide variety of music - and serving up some of Santa Fe's best specialty shows - for now that's what we know.
Thanks for listening!
Comments
Thanks!
June 8th, 2007 at 7:48 pm — ArenaI have so enjoyed listening to your station, from the very beginning. You have provided such a fun range of music. I don't feel dumbed down listening to Indie 101.5, like I do with other stations. Please keep it up, and keep persevering! What would I do without you guys, now that I've found you? -an appreciative listener
In Support of Local Independent Media
June 7th, 2007 at 3:41 pm — vpozzebonLet’s go beyond canned music, loud car commercials and national ad campaigns. Let’s talk about the real reason losing independent media is a community concern.
Independent media is the voice of a community. It can tell the locals’ story, providing an opportunity that many small businesses and nonprofit organizations can’t get from a media corporation. Without an outlet to tell our stories, to let our community have a voice we lose the opportunity to strengthen our community.
Our local businesses choose to advertise on local stations and in local papers and magazines because they know they have an opportunity to reach their community. These are the media outlets that often give business planning with regard to marketing, provide product preparation with well-planned advertising and marketing campaigns. These local media outlets tailor make products that serve the needs of local businesses, often negotiating deals so that businesses can understand the value of radio and print ads in a way that makes it affordable. Package deals are created to help businesses prosper, not to fill their own pockets.
The Alliance advertises and works with our local independent media to educate the public on the importance of keeping our money local. Prices are negotiated, sponsorships are created, relationships are formed, businesses are supported. That is the power of local independent media – the power to give the community a voice, a community that includes our independent businesses and nonprofit organization.
What happens when the Alliance can no longer communicate our message? Billboards are owned by corporations, radio stations are consolidating, newspapers are disappearing. Independent media is the voice of the Alliance and if we lose independent media we lose a voice for our local businesses.
We are grateful of the sources that exist in our community for independent media but if we lose our "social capital" – a measure of a community's social and civic organizations and the degree to which the community participates. Santa Fe has a very high social capital but without our local businesses and local media we are at risk of losing our social capital.
If our businesses cannot advertise on local stations the reality is that our money is no longer staying in our community. It is not recycled back to our local businesses, the tax base or given to our nonprofits. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, folks. A company can claim community involvement and that it is locally owned but the reality is that most of these companies are owned by major share holders out of state and don’t really know the community. Changing a station’s format doesn’t make them any more committed to community. Ask to speak to the owner of these companies and ask the hard questions before you decide where your advertising dollars go. Independent media is your voice – your opportunity to communicate your message.
Vicki Pozzebon, Executive Director
Santa Fe Allliance
www.santafealliance.com
Seconded
June 6th, 2007 at 7:33 pm — amyWatching this whole spectacle from the sidelines, I have to agree with Ellie 100 percent. I guess I was idealistic and naive in thinking that our local print media would report a fair and accurate story about the purchase of our three local radio stations. But I've learned now that what you read in the papers is not to be trusted at all.
Over a week ago I sent a letter to the editor of the New Mexican expressing a few concerns about their reporting of this situation. It has yet to be printed. Hrm. Maybe because I referred to their reporting as "botched." Still ....
Good work, Indie 101.5 team. There are a lot of us rooting for you.