KGNU Launches Blog to Cover the DNC, Election

Very much in keeping with its independent, community-centered public radio format, KGNU 88.5-FM in Boulder and 1390-AM in Denver launched a blog. Today, you can see "KGNU’s Joel Edelstein and Maeve Conran discuss the station’s upcoming coverage of the 2008 election, the DNC and the launch of their new blog." Once again, KGNU shows that high-quality public radio can be done on a shoestring budget when public radio stations work harder and smarter.

Also, my guess it that KGNU will balance out coverage of the more conservative branch of public radio, represented by Colorado Public Radio, with a budget or more than $10 million dollars per year. All that money and they STILL cannot produce a blog for their website? Oh that's right, if you want to participate in public radio news with CPR, you have to register with the Public Insight Network. How corporate is that?

I'd venture to guess too, that when KGNU speaks of public participation during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado that they will more often refer to demonstrators rather than protesters, unlike the staff at Corporate Public Radio. But what's in a word? Public radio listeners are not fussy about vocabulary -- especially when it comes to free speech -- right? Four-syllable, eleven-letter word that is a synonym for fussy? Hmmmm, where is the puzzle master Will Shortz when you need him?

Coordinated Fundraising: Public Radio and TV.

Last month, KGNU radio and KBDI television coordinated their fundraising with Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now and author of STATIC: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders, and the People Who Fight Back. Does your public radio or television station promote AND support personalities when they come to town. If not, why not? Do you suppose it helps your public radio station stays in touch with organizations from which they receive programming? Denver Westword promoted Goodman's visit here.

"Colorado Remembrances," by Bente Birkeland.

If you're not familiar with Bente Birkeland, she is the only broadcast journalist posted full time at the Colorado State Capitol Building. She covers the Colorado Legislature full time when it's in session.

KRCC-FM pays half of her salary, and the other half is funded collectively by Rocky Mountain Community Radio member stations, a project originally started by KGNU as the Capitol Coverage Project.

She provides daily updates during the legislative session; 2-5 times per week. Bente has been on the job a little over 18 months now. KRCC-FM and Rocky Mountain Community Radio should be very proud of her and her work.

Listen here to one of her recent stories which aired on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Saturday. Thanks to a Colorado Public Radio Blog reader for this post.

Democracy Now!

Award-winning journalist Amy Goodman, host of the daily, grassroots, global, radio/TV news hour Democracy Now!, is on a national speaking tour to mark DN!'s 10th anniversary and launch her second book with journalist David Goodman, Static: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders, and the People Who Fight Back. Read about her visit to Denver here.

KGNU and KBDI Channel 12 welcome Amy Goodman to Denver for a live lecture and book signing to benefit KBDI Channel 12 and KGNU Community Radio.

Gear Up!

CPRB Readers: Which of your public radio stations sells the best gear or supplies the best premiums? Here is a link to the KUVO shop called The Oasis Store at CafePress. And here is a link to the KGNU shop.

Seriously, are the public radio pickings in Colorado this sparse! If so, why? Does your public radio station sell good gear, or does is supply great premiums? If not, perhaps you should ask them to do so. After all, it's your money, right?

Recent Public Radio Press.

SALZMAN: A Labeling Challenge

"This little radio voyage has made me recommit to varying my news diet whenever possible. It's the best way to stay informed and open-minded. And it's entertaining. --Jason Salzman, President of Cause Communications and Board Chairman of Rocky Mountain Media Watch, is the Author of Making the News: A Guide for Activists and Nonprofits.

HD Radio Awaits Listeners

"This is the closest that radio comes to cataract surgery." --Jim Paluzzi, Vice President of New Media & Technology at Colorado Public Radio.

Local Stations Taking a Look at Online Classified Sites

"Local, Local, Local," --Joanne Ostrow, Denver Post TV Critic.

Did You Ever Wonder?

Billy Crystal and Christoper Guest did a sketch (Willie and Frankie) on Saturday Night Live that began with, "Did you ever wonder . . ." Then they would go on to describe some painful bodily invasion like, " . . . what would happen if you stuck an icepick in your eye?"

In keeping with that theme, did you ever wonder what your local public radio stations are worth or what their employees get paid? It might be more (or less) than you think. Some of this financial information may be news to you. It certainly was news to me.

You can download and compare documents here. They are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Get Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

Colorado Public Radio Form 990 from 2003.
Colorado Public Radio Form 990 from 2004.
Colorado Public Radio Form 990 from 2005.

KUVO Form 990 from 2003.
KUVO Form 990 from 2004.
KUVO Form 990 from 2005.

Aspen Public Radio Form 990 from 2001.
Aspen Public Radio Form 990 from 2003.
Aspen Public Radio Form 990 from 2004.

KUNC Form 990 from 2003.
KUNC Form 990 from 2004.
KUNC Form 990 from 2005.

KDNK Form 990 from 2003.
KDNK Form 990 from 2004.
KDNK Form 990 from 2005.

KVNF Form 990 from 2003.
KVNF Form 990 from 2004.
KVNF Form 990 from 2005.

KGNU Form 900 from 2001.
KGNU Form 900 from 2002.
KGNU Form 900 from 2003.

KSUT Form 990 from 2003.
KSUT Form 990 from 2004.
KSUT Form 990 from 2005.

KBUT Form 990 from 2003.
KBUT Form 990 from 2004.
KBUT Form 990 from 2005.

KCSU Form 990 from 2002.
KCSU Form 990 from 2003.
KCSU Form 990 from 2004.

KAFM Form 990 from 2003.
KAFM Form 990 from 2004.
KAFM Form 990 from 2005.

KCME Form 990 from 2003.
KCME Form 990 from 2004.
KCME Form 990 from 2005.

KRFC Form 900 from 2002.
KRFC Form 900 from 2003.
KRFC Form 900 from 2004.

KYGT Form 900 from 2003.
KYGT Form 900 from 2004.
KYGT Form 900 from 2005.

Summit Public Radio and TV Form 900 from 2004.
Summit Public Radio and TV Form 900 from 2005.
Summit Public Radio and TV Form 900 from 2006.

*All documents provided by GuideStar.Org.