THE SOUND OF DEMOCRACY

Independent Community Radio needs your help, especially in light of the increasing concentration of
corporate media. For example, the media conglomerate Clear Channel Communications of Texas owns
some 1500 radio stations in the US. Increasingly, such conglomerates have become spokespersons for
regressive policies. For this reason, independent radio has increasingly become the sound of real
democracy. The following is a case in point.

For over four years, 8th Day Center for Justice has produced a radio show on WLUW, Listener
Supported Community Radio. WLUW is a progressive, community-oriented radio station, committed
to social justice and independent thought and expression, and to giving a voice to those who too often
go unheard. The station is dedicated to offering a broad array of music, news, and issue- and
arts-oriented programming that cannot be found elsewhere on the radio.

WLUW is on the air 24 hours a day-seven days a week, has a broadcast range covering the North
side of Chicago with a potential listening audience of 1.5 million persons. It is also webcast which gives
it a worldwide audience. Additionally, the station has two paid staff and a volunteer staff of 200
persons, including students, community members and four 8th Day staff.

WLUW was long owned and financed by Loyola University of Chicago. Three years ago, for financial
reasons, Loyola decided to turn over management of the station to WBEZ, the highly successful
Chicago Public Radio station. In this agreement, Loyola and WBEZ agreed to retain WLUW’s diverse
and unique program schedule and the current management team who were the persons responsible for
bringing WLUW to its award winning stature in the Chicagoland radio world.

However, and this was the catch, WLUW would be required to be totally independent financially within
three years. During those three years, WBEZ and Loyola agreed to divide any financial shortfall. Those
three years have passed which means WLUW must raise its entire operating budget this current fiscal year.

Interestingly, about a year ago, the station manager of WBEZ, Torey Malatia, said that three years was
not a reasonable length of time for WLUW to become financially independent. Five years was a more
reasonable time frame, he said. This has become increasing clear as 8th Day staff has noticed that the
station is just developing the right formula for total financial independence..

Additionally, a Loyola professor with wide experience in alternative radio noted recently that the
independent community radio stations are watching closely the unique relationship between WBEZ and
WLUW as a possible model other independent station.

8th Day Center staff agree that this is a crucial time in the world of independent community radio and
the struggle for real democracy.

(Incidently, you can listen to previous 8th Day programs at
http://8thdaycenter.org/resources/radioshow.html)

ACTION
1. Send a contribution to WLUW, especially during the station’s pledge drive which runs from Feb. 20
through March 3, bygoing to http://www.WLUW.org   Please mention in the comment section that you
are contributing at  the request of 8th Day. Additionally, please  notice the wide variety of thank-you gifts
available  to you.  If you prefer, you may make your donation by calling the station 773-508-7300.
2. Or, contribute to your own local independent community radio station.