Radio Free Palmer
A desire for local content has inspired the creation of Radio Free Palmer, a non-profit group dedicated to bringing a real live radio station to Palmer, Alaska.
While I applaud the attempt to deliver news to a somewhat under-covered community, I question the focus on traditional radio as the primary medium. They are a tech savvy group — RFP established a free wireless network in the Palmer downtown area — but I don’t think they fully appreciate the new media landscape.
During the annual meeting RFP board president David Cheezem said the group’s goal is to build “a small station with a focus on small ‘d’ democracy.” But media consumers have realized they don’t need to be force-fed content anymore. They want a voice; they want to engage in debate; they want their content when they want it, not on some broadcast schedule. They want to be involved, even while (especially while!) sitting at home.
Traditional media is in turmoil because our consumers are going away. What we’re providing daily — a one-way flow of information — is becoming less relevant by the news cycle. To focus on the shrinking number of readers/listeners/viewers/users uncomfortable with the new tools will make the station obsolete before it gets an FCC license.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I’m with you — building a new radio station today, especially one with a nonprofit community service focus, is probably a waste of money. The only thing that could make sense would be a Low Power FM (LPFM) station, which has a much lower capital requirement than the full power stations.
Streaming a signal online is way cheaper and avoids costly and cumbersome FCC licensing. Naturally, it doesn’t (yet) work in cars or easily in non-PC-savvy homes, but I’d rather build a station ahead of the curve, technologically.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hey there,
Cool post. Glad to hear Palmer has a free WiFi network, too. IN regards to radio, what about a podcast, or net radio, or something of the sort. Live shows? Streaming video? How cool would that be?
May 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am
This is an amazing moment in history socially and technologically. The live shows and streaming video are going to happen — a lot sooner than broadcasting will.
But don’t think of Radio Free Palmer as fitting into easy, predetermined categories. Whatever delivery system (or systems) we use, we will always be locality-based, democratically established and educational in nature. That means a marriage of professional standards and fresh, volunteer created content.
If people select our programming because it reinforces their prejudices, then we’ve failed. If people select our programming because it gives them a window through which to look at themselves and their community, then we’ve succeeded.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Anyone hear the guy running the small FM station in Mississippi after Katrina? He was THE provider of critical information that the community needed. Eventually, it’s possible over the air radio will become obsolete. I’d guess there’s a good 40 or 50 years left before communities and people will change to the point that community radio will no longer be needed. Community BROADCASTING as opposed to web NARROWCASTING will be a needed community asset for the foreseeable future. The web offers new opportunities for creativity and innovation, and some of that can be reflected on the air.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I don’t see how “broadcasting” to 1000 people is better than “narrowcasting” to 1000 people, especially if delivers a lesser product that costs more money and time to produce.
As a news guy, I’m all about local coverage but I’m not convinced that the town of Palmer is an under-served market. The area is served by the Frontiersman, a bureau of the Anchorage Daily News, a bureau of KTUU, and local radio station KMBQ.
I do see a special place for RFP’s programming on the web. Visitors will get more and better coverage, get it when they want it, and, most importantly, they will be able to participate in the process. If RFP must broadcast, try working a deal with KMBQ (David already has a show) or APRN.
And this is a difficult debate to have on the air, not so hard on a blog.
(sent from Vagabond Blues via RFP’s wireless network)
May 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Thanks, Stephen, for starting this discussion!