Support KSER; Protect the Cute Bear!

Please Help Protect the Bear

Alright, we really wouldn't hurt the bear. It's just a cheap, warm and fuzzy gimmick to get your attention. Speaking of warm and fuzzy, have you been watching the well-coiffed, finely-clothed, made-up cable TV news stars 'reporting' from the political conventions?

And do you know who is hardly ever described as warm and fuzzy?  Amy Goodman.

We've heard an awful lot of feedback the last two weeks about Amy Goodman. It's not that she's not special the other 50 weeks of the year, but last week and this week, Democracy Now is an hour longer and even more special than usual as Amy covers the political conventions.  Last week she was in Tampa for the Republican convention; this week Charlotte and the Democrats.

Sure, the big cable TV networks have been covering the conventions...their way. And they've got their major anchors strategically positioned at professionally designed and magnificently lit sets 'analyzing' the speeches.  But, if you've been listening to Amy in Tampa and Charlotte, you know she is asking tough questions of all sides and offering insight you don't get too many other places.

Last week when the TV cameras conveniently missed Mitt Romney's handshake with one of the Koch brothers on the convention floor, Amy talked about it.  She did an extensive interview on the Romney campaign war-chest and where the money came from. She had extensive coverage of the convention floor chaos between the RNC and Ron Paul delegates. This week she's spent considerable time covering protestors at the DNC in Tampa who have basically been penned up away from the convention center.

But if you've been listening to her two-hour special every morning at 7 a.m. on KSER or the one-hour replay at 5 p.m. there's one thing you haven't heard: commercials. That's because like most of the radio stations around the country that carry Democracy Now, KSER is an independent public radio station. We're a non-profit, community resource that is able to operate and provide independent programming thanks to your support.

And it's not just Amy Goodman and Democracy Now. It's the TakeAway every morning at 6 a.m. and the Story with Dick Gordon every afternoon at 3 p.m.  It's the morning information from Sondra Santos and Sound Living with Ed Bremer every afternoon at 4 p.m.  And that's just the news and public affairs shows! If you're a regular listener to KSER you know we have a broad range of great music every evening and weekend featuring many up and coming local artists.

So how are we able to fund a full-time radio station with no commercials?  Well, actually we don't. You do it.  So we just wanted to say thanks if you've supported us in the past or if you continue to support KSER with recurring donations.

If you haven't contributed yet, but you'd like to make sure that at least some of the airwaves include voices like Ed Bremer's and Amy Goodman's...here's how you can help.  KSER begins it's 10-day-long Fall Pledge Drive on September 28th. If you listen then, you'll hear a number of easy ways to contribute. Or, you can beat the rush! Take 4 or 5 minutes now to make an easy tax-deductible online donation here.

Of course if you're one of those people who wants to contribute and brag about it, you can buy shirts, hats, tote-bags, mouse pads, aprons, dog-sweaters, iphone cases and just about anything else...yes, even that cuddly bear...at the KSER store.

Thanks!

News That Gives Voice to Struggles

Many KSER listeners tell us there is one host and one show that they try to absolutely never miss: Amy Goodman and Democracy Now!

Amy Goodman

Just like KSER, Amy Goodman and Democracy Now is a non-profit, proudly independent broadcast that relies heavily on the financial support of listeners.  As regular KSER listeners know, Amy asks questions many reporters won't ask; get's guests that many media organizations wouldn't touch; and even get's arrested for her efforts.

The New York Times published what some describe as the definitive Amy Goodman article late last year.

And while it would be rare to see the major network Sunday morning talk shows include Amy as a guest, she did appear last month on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher.  You can see the program here.

Juan Gonzalez

Amy and co-host Juan Gonzalez are supported by a great staff of leading progressive journalists, producers and volunteers.  You can read about the Democracy Now staff here.

And remember, Amy and Juan are working for a non-profit program that's being aired on non-profit community supported stations like KSER. Her model is dramatically different from the typical network television news reporter or anchor. You may remember the media buzz recently over the $25-million annual contract for NBC's Matt Lauer.

The Daily Beast recently did a report on the salaries of Lauer and others. Diane Sawyer makes $12-million annually; Anderson Cooper: $11-million.  You can read the Daily Best network salary story here.

That's not to suggest that those anchors aren't worth the money they are paid by the corporations that own the networks.  After all, they generate ratings that sells advertising that keeps the corporate networks profitable.

But think about that the next time you're listening to Amy Goodman and wondering why she's covering stories and asking questions you won't hear almost anywhere else.

Reminder: Time's running out if you want to make a nomination for KSER's annual Voice of the Community Award.  Nominations must be received by this Wednesday, August 15.  You can find out more and make a nomination here.

And of course, you can always help support KSER and independent public radio. It just takes a few clicks and a few minutes online. Thanks!