CBI Update: Student media news

Last Updated on June 24, 2014 by askcbiorg

Students, alumni and fans continue to support Save WRAS movement

More than 11,000 people have signed a petition in support of WRAS, the student radio station of Georgia State University. The college inked a deal with Georgia Public Broadcasting, a state public broadcasting network of 17 public radio and nine television stations in Georgia, to turn over daytime programming to GPB. The shift was initially slated for June 1, and was announced on May 6, but was postponed until June 30 after discussions with alumni groups, students and locals.

Numerous people have spoken out about the change, including Frank LoMonte of the Student Press Law Center, and CBI itself issued a statement. Students and alumni of WRAS have come together at SaveWRAS.org to organize their efforts and inform people how they can help.

Susanna Capelouto, an Atlanta news reporter, WRAS alumna and current GPB news director, wrote candidly about the shift in a statement on Current.org last week. Capelouto was a guest speaker at the 2012 CBI National Student Electronic Media Convention in Atlanta.

College Radio Day is organizing a simulcast for stations to show their support of WRAS, to air on Thursday, June 26. A preview is available, and stations may sign up here.

Also, long-time listener and local TV personality Doug Richards (also a guest at the 2012 CBI convention) delivered a comment on Atlanta’s local NBC affiliate, WXIA last week.

GAB Radio Talent Institute concludes this week

The ten-day Georgia Association of Broadcasters Radio Talent Institute concludes tomorrow at Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia. College juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates participated in the 10-day series of workshops with professional broadcasters covering everything from on-air talent to sales and marketing.

Dan Vallie, Founder and President of the National Radio Talent System, started the system in 2013, and there are now four institutes: UGA, Appalachian State University in N.C., Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and Western Kentucky University.

Arizona college radio stations ask FCC for underwriting leeway

The Maricopa Community College is asking the Federal Communications Commission again for a waiver to broadcast more direct underwriting on its two stations, jazz station KJZZ-FM and classical station KBAQ-FM. Specifically, they’re requesting a three-year experimental window to include interest rates in underwriting announcements from banks, credit unions and car dealerships.

Wiley College reopens airwaves

Wiley College radio station KBWC 91.1 FM is back on the air after a three-month hiatus for renovations to the student union building where the station is housed. The station serves Marshall, Texas.