Help Bring "Democracy"
to the Airwaves in Central New York

The Problem

In order for democracy to function, people need to be fully informed about current events and the history and context which lead to them. As a nation we are proud of our "free press" and the diversity of viewpoints presented. Unfortunately, our press has never really been free, and the increasing consolidation of media ownership threatens to reduce the range of ideas expressed and their challenge to the status quo. Even National Public Radio has more corporate influence than ever before.

The devastating effects of this lack of comprehensive and thoughtful news coverage are seen throughout our society. People working for social justice, campaigning for peace, initiating environmental protection efforts and calling for economic justice all run into the problem of an uninformed citizenry who are fed information deeply biased in favor of the ruling elites.

Part of the Solution

The "Democracy Now" Campaign seeks to convince WAER (based at Syracuse University) to carry Democracy Now, a cutting-edge news program with a strong progressive orientation. It is a refreshing counterpoint to the news which is currently available in our community. We initially tried to convince WRVO, but they chose not to broadcast it.

Democracy Now is a one-hour daily newsmagazine program hosted by Amy Goodman, a feisty and thoughtful journalist. It features interviews with people who are rarely, if ever, heard on NPR or the other talk shows aired regularly in Central New York. Edward Said on Palestine and Israel, Howard Zinn on the war in Afghanistan, labor activists, feminists and progressive voices from around the world are featured on this great show. Democracy Now extensively covered the major anti-globalization demonstrations from the streets and regularly reports on the work of activists from a broad range of social movements. When government officials are interviewed, they are asked the hard questions which make them squirm.

Democracy Now can be heard at 9:00 am daily on WEOS 89.7 in Geneva, NY—the closest place to Syracuse—as well as on nearly 40 other stations around the country. A live audio stream of the show can be found at www.webactive.com; and their web site is www.democracynow.org.

WAER currently runs jazz music Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, and could certainly squeeze in an hour of Democracy Now each day.

What You Can Do…

Sign our PETITION to WAER asking them to add Democracy Now. Circulate the petition to others too!

WAER has an expressed an openness to considering this new program. Please contact them and encourage them to add Democracy Now to their regular programming. If you haven't already heard the show, please do so before contacting them so that you can give them an informed viewpoint.

If you are already a member of WAER, emphasize this fact. If you are able, tell them that you will increase your pledge when they add Democracy Now. If you aren't a member, consider telling them that you will become a member if they begin carrying Democracy Now. (The starting membership rate is $35/year.)

Spread the word to others about this effort. Contact the Syracuse Peace Council, 924 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203, (315) 472-5478, email: spc@peacecouncil.net for additional information or to offer assistance. Cassette and CD copies of Democracy Now are available to borrow to spread the word.

Contact WAER

Ron Ockert, Director of Programming and Operations, WAER JAZZ 88, 215 University Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, email: rgockert@syr.edu, phone: 443-4021.

BINGHAMTON Campaign Report

Peter Hudiburg (Norwich) and Bill Huston (Binghamton) organized a campaign to bring Democracy Now to NPR
affiliate WSKG, which operates 2 radio stations, WSKG-FM (70,000 listeners) and WSQX-FM (12,000 listeners).
They used an online petition, and rallied local peace groups to contact the station requesting the program.
In May 2003, management put the program on the smaller station, and efforts continue to put it on the larger one.

Links:
http://mu.clarityconnect.net/perl/petition
http://www.cipbonline.org/chaptersNYbingham.htm

Contact:
Peter Hudiburg: 607-334-2986 hudiburg@clarityconnect.com
Bill Huston: 607-724-1755 bhuston@vegdot.org