posted by rtm on Friday September 26 2003 @ 05:44PM on reclaim the media.org
New Non-Commercial, Community Radio Station Gives Airtime to Spokane Residents
KYRS Begins Broadcasting October 26th
KYRS-Thin Air Community Radio, a new non-profit, non-commercial radio station debuts October 26th.
KYRS is one of the very few low power FM community stations recently licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). KYRS plans to broadcast 24-hours-a-day on 95.3 FM, with 75 percent locally produced programs.
"KYRS is different because we'll serve as a stage for local musicians and an outlet for diverse people and groups to have their voices heard and to communicate with their own people and the rest of Spokane," said KYRS Fundraising Coordinator Lucy Lennox.
The station has received more than 100 program proposals from such diverse populations as Latino, African-American, Native American, Asian and Russian.
"People want to do talk shows on topics like global economics, health, spirituality and the environment," said Lennox, who has helped plan the station for more than two years. "We have proposals for youth shows, comedy, poetry and much more."
Listeners will hear wide-ranging music programming, such as electronic dance music, folk, world music, reggae and punk.
"Low power FM is about giving a voice to the community and spotlighting independent music," said Jon Snyder, KYRS Program Coordinator. "Instead of the homogenized, banal music piped all over the country from some corporate headquarters in Texas, we'll have local DJs playing local and independent artists, and covering local news, art and culture."
While the station will be run by community volunteers, most with little or no radio experience, KYRS is committed to program excellence, both in content and technique.
"The station is buzzing with activity," said Ibrahim Abdurrahim, KYRS Production Coordinator. "Right now, those with experience are training volunteers on the equipment, practicing speaking into the microphone, learning interviewing skills, spinning records and CDs."
Listeners from Cheney to Spokane's south hill and north side will hear KYRS' 100-watt signal.
It has been a long, hard process for the non-profit group to get the station going. Volunteers have logged thousands of hours, learning how the FCC works, researching equipment and fundraising. "It took nearly two years just to get the permit from the FCC," said Lupito Flores, Station Coordinator.
With funding from individuals and grantmaking foundations, KYRS has equipped the broadcast booth, production room and will soon complete the transmission site.
"We need more funding to finish construction on time," said Flores. "We're not there yet, but we're going to make it happen. We're offering regular memberships now for $25, and there's still time to join KYRS as a Founding Member for $100."
On October 26th, all the hard work and support will pay off. "It's so rewarding to see the response from the community," said Lennox. "Everyone's talking about Thin Air Radio, and how they can't wait for it to be on-the-air."
About KYRS-Thin Air Community Radio
Thin Air Community Radio formed in 1999 and operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Citizens For Clean Air. The mission of Thin Air is to provide programming to diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups. Thin Air has received generous support from New Priorities Foundation, Foundation Northwest, The Center For Justice, A Territory Resource, Metropolitan Mortgage's CA-RE Program, and numerous individual community members. Thin Air is located at 35 W. Main, Suite 340 in downtown Spokane, WA. To inquire about volunteer or donation opportunities please call 747-3807, or visit the website:
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