MAIN-FM is a low-power radio station licensed to the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) in Asheville.

Hosted by best-selling author Thom Hartmann, the six-year-old talk show is heard weekdays in major markets nationwide, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The show was previously heard in Asheville on WPEK, 880 AM, via a 3-6 p.m. re-broadcast.

The switch to MAIN-FM marks the first time that listeners in Asheville and WNC will be able to hear the show live and participate in its call-in format, said MAIN executive director Wally Bowen.

“Thom Hartmann has a lot of fans in Asheville and western North Carolina, and our ability to broadcast and stream his show live in this market was a deciding factor in his making the switch to MAIN-FM,” said Bowen.

“Adding this live, call-in show to the heart of our weekday program schedule is a good fit for MAIN,” added Bowen, “because The Thom Hartmann Program is thoughtful and substantive compared to talk-shows which rely on sensationalism and dumbed-down gimmicks to hold an audience.”

Bowen called the show “compelling radio” due, in part, to Hartmann’s practice of interviewing conservative guests. “Thom is that rare talk-show host who is willing to talk to people who disagree with him,” said Bowen. He lauded the show as “evidence-based, give-and-take dialogue in the democratic tradition of debating important issues in a public forum.”

On Feb. 11, Hartmann interviewed Curtis Coleman, a GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in Arkansas who compares embryonic stem cell research to “what the Nazis did to the Jews in the death camps of World War Two.”

In the interview, Coleman stood by his statement, arguing that a human embryo “is life at a different stage” and therefore “deserves all the protections the law provides” human beings.

But Hartmann chided Coleman for comparing the “pain and horrors“ suffered by Holocaust victims to embryos that – if not used for medical research – would be “flushed down the drain.“ He added that comparing “eight cells in a petri dish to a human being in a death camp in Germany in World War Two is a horrific comparison.”

Acknowledging that “we really don’t know what the cells are experiencing,“ Coleman eventually conceded that an embryo “is not experiencing the same personal pain that those people did, and I’m totally sympathetic to that.” Coleman also agreed with Hartmann that “we need a national conversation on when life begins.”

Bowen called the Curtis Coleman interview an example of Hartmann’s gift for “passionate but respectful debate.” By contrast, said Bowen, “conservative talk-show hosts would typically celebrate Coleman, while progressive hosts would typically mock him.”

Hartmann’s approach “helps move us beyond sound-bites, partisan cheerleading, and polarization to a more thoughtful, evidence-based discussion, allowing audiences to judge policy options on the power of reason, argument and evidence,” Bowen said.

Hartmann’s star has been rising since succeeding Al Franken as the nation’s most popular progressive talk-show host, according to a recent profile in Talkers magazine. In January, Hartmann was interviewed for C-SPAN’s “Q & A” series.

Hartmann is the author of more than 20 books, including “Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture,” “Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class,” and “Unequal Protection: The Rise of Corporate Dominance and the Theft of Human Rights.”

For more information on The Thom Hartmann Show’s airing on MAIN-FM, call 828.258.0085 or visit the MAIN homepage. END

This morning, the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision, lifted spending limits on corporate speech in political campaigns and elections.

This shocking decision reverses decades of efforts – and legal precedents – to limit the influence of money in the American electoral system.

The great American jurist, Justice Louis Brandeis, wrote: “We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.” Justice Brandeis also noted that: “The most important political office is that of the private citizen.”

With today’s Supreme Court decision, five justices (Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Kennedy and Alito) equated the speech rights of multinational corporations – like Exxon-Mobil and Monsanto – with the speech rights of individual American citizens. This decision repudiates the democratic idea that great concentrations of wealth should not have unlimited influence on our elections.

As one of America’s oldest media reform organizations, the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network has long understood the power of corporate money and corporate media to control our public discourse, limit citizen speech, and thereby favor Wall Street over Main Street.

With this decision, MAIN’s media reform efforts – and those of our allies nationwide – become all the more critical, especially in limiting corporate control over the Internet and the public airwaves. Likewise, MAIN’s pioneering work in promoting local ownership of media infrastructure (public access TV, low-power FM radio, fiber and wireless broadband networks) has never been more important.

Please take a moment to consider the profound implications of today’s Supreme Court decision – and then make whatever tax-deductible donation you can afford to ensure that MAIN’s media reform work continues, both here at home and nationwide.
https://www.main.nc.us/about/donate

Platitudes like “the stakes have never been higher” do not express the injury that this decision has inflicted on our American political system.

Please continue to monitor the MAIN homepage – www.main.nc.us or follow us on Facebook – as we continue to cover this disturbing development.

Sincerely,

MAIN Board, Staff and Volunteers

MAIN taps WORT radio exec
for new Media Manager post

K.P. Whaley

A top news executive at one of the nation’s oldest community radio stations has been named Media Manager for the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN).

K.P. Whaley, the news and public affairs director at WORT-FM in Madison, WI., will join MAIN in this new position Sept. 1. His responsibilities include management of MAIN’s radio station, WPVM, and integrating the station’s programming with MAIN’s existing online news portal at www.main.nc.us.

Whaley has a degree in broadcast journalism from Illinois State University and a certificate in documentary filmmaking from the Seattle Film Institute. He is also a certified project management professional (PMP).

Whaley began as a volunteer at WORT in 2005 and was named news and public affairs director in 2007.  He supervised three daily talk shows, a live half-hour nightly newscast, and trained volunteers in community-based reporting, on-air delivery, digital editing and production, and engineering.

Founded in 1975, WORT has been a pioneer in nonprofit community radio, blending locally-produced programming – both music and community journalism – with syndicated news from Pacifica Radio and the BBC.

“K.P. has all the skillsets we were looking for as we transition MAIN and WPVM from  conventional analog radio to digital streaming over an Internet portal and mobile broadband devices,” said MAIN executive director Wally Bowen.  “We are also impressed with his positive energy and people skills, which match-up well with our community.”

Whaley will implement a new system for local programming based on “producer agreements” to replace the traditional practice of granting airtime to volunteers on a first-come basis. The latter has proven problematic for many community radio stations as airtime becomes scarce and openings for new producers disappear.

“Community radio must change or it will fade away,” said Whaley. “I am excited to be working with an organization like MAIN that understands the challenges faced by community radio, and has the vision and technical experience to embrace these challenges and to help provide a roadmap for other community media.”

Whaley cited MAIN’s new business model for journalism – based on revenue from its nonprofit Internet access business – as the heart of this new community radio vision.

In presentations earlier this year, Bowen called this new model “MAIN 2.0” and described the nonprofit’s vision for creating and delivering content over multiple media platforms – the existing Web portal, public access TV, WPVM, and podcasts.

Bowen said th at the new position title, “Media Manager,” indicates this larger vision for MAIN and WPVM.  “With this position now filled, we are ready to begin accepting applications for new volunteers as well as new ideas for programming,” he said.  To propose a program idea or to volunteer, visit: http://main.nc.us/about/volunteer/volapp.html  END

As we enjoy this Independence Day weekend, change is in the air.

This spring,  I was in our nation’s capital for a series of media reform meetings.  The week’s final meeting was “Changing Media,” which was held at the Newseum and focused on the future of journalism and prospects for sweeping media reform.

Acting FCC chair Michael Copps put forth this challenge:

“Change has come to Washington, DC.  Reform breezes are blowing through the corridors of power all over this city.  And if things go well, we may be launched on an era of reform to match what the Progressives and New Dealers of the last century gave us. . . .

“But it’s no sure thing that it will end so well. Reform is never on auto-pilot, and in spite of all the marvels of 21st-century technology, there is no GPS system that can deliver us to a new, progressive promised land.”

Copps concluded: “It’s impossible to predict how long the window of reform will remain open [and] if we’re not quick about it and smart about it and thorough about it, the winds of change could blow themselves out before our job is done.  We must seize the opportunity when we have it.”

MAIN/WPVM is seizing this opportunity.  On May 12, MAIN was elected to the national Media and Democracy Coalition, one of  the first local/regional organizations to receive an MDC nomination.  We also published the “Local Network Cookbook” to help other communities replicate MAIN’s nonprofit business model for community journalism.  And on June 4, I presented this model at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications for  a global conference called “Beyond Broadcast 2009.” You can view my presentation on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBf6dMF_jiE

Through the Media and Democracy Coalition, we are also working to get the Local Community Radio Act of 2009 passed in Congress, which will — at long last– allow WPVM to increase its broadcast power and thus solve our signal problem.

Here at home, we are restructuring our volunteer program to ensure a close fit between our strategic vision and those community members who want to commit time and energy to help us pursue this vision and seize this historic moment.

You will also be hearing some exciting changes on WPVM.  We have added the pioneering healing-arts show, The People’s Pharmacy, which is heard on more than 500 stations nationwide.

And we will also help you keep an eye (and ear) on our elected officials in Raleigh via OPEN/net, the award-winning and live call-in show on N.C. legislative affairs.  Remarkably, OPEN/net has not been heard or seen in WNC since 2002!

We also have half a dozen “citizen journalists” collaborating on The Local News Show, which premiered two weeks ago.   And we want to thank Veterans’ Voices for Peace for moving their weekly broadcast to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays to make room for The Local News Show at 5 p.m.  Both shows are re-broadcast Fridays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays 8 to 9 a.m.

We are also sharpening our focus on music from around the world, from independent labels, and especially from Asheville’s dynamic music scene.  And we are close to completing a $7,500 studio upgrade that will make broadcast operations easier for staff and volunteers — and provide, for the first time, live “call-in” capability for our listeners.

Bruce Sales, a veteran audio engineer, is serving as interim station manager.  An Asheville native, Bruce is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and worked for 15 years in New York City as a composer and audio producer, before returning to Asheville to launch 2BruceStudio.

Meanwhile, our search is underway for a full-time Community Radio/New Media Manager.

And we have begun organizing a Community Network Advisory Council to help us develop new programming ideas.  Later this summer we will be offering you a “Listener Survey” to get your ideas for fine-tuning our program offerings and schedule.

If you’re interested in volunteering, producing a program for MAIN/WPVM, or simply need more information, please contact Julie Coyle at:  outreach@main.nc.us

Have a great Independence Day Weekend!

Wally Bowen
Executive Director

We have hired a veteran audio engineer to create an upgrade plan for WPVM’s broadcast studio, which will greatly improve our ability to operate the station and reduce programming glitches.  This upgrade will be done in phases over the next 30 days.

Meanwhile, we are pleased to announce the addition of “The People’s Pharmacy” to our programming line-up. This popular alternative healing show is produced in Chapel Hill and heard on more than 100 public and community radio stations nationwide.  Its broadcast day and time on WPVM will be announced following the first-phase of our studio upgrade in April.

We have long wanted an alternative healing program on WPVM, and we’re delighted to secure a program of the caliber of The People’s Pharmacy.  We also know that our community has a wealth of alternative healing talent, and we would welcome proposals for locally-produced programs in this important field.  Proposals and queries may be sent to:  programming@main.nc.us.

Meanwhile, we are seeking to hire a part-time, interim station manager while we conduct a national search for a new, full-time position of Community Radio/New Media Manager.

We appreciate your patience during this time of transition.  WPVM exists for our listeners and is a critical part of MAIN’s media reform strategic vision.  Since its founding in 1995, MAIN has continued to be in the forefront of the growing media reform movement.  We greatly appreciate your support for this important pioneering work.

Wally Bowen
Executive Director

“MAIN 2.0: Next Generation Community Network” was presented Feb. 23 by Wally Bowen at Pack Library’s Lord
Auditorium in downtown Asheville.  The talk was re-scheduled from
Feb. 4, when the library closed due to inclement weather.

Bowen is executive director of the nonprofit Mountain Area
Information Network (MAIN) and radio station WPVM-LP, 103.5 FM, and
is a former member of the N.C. Rural Internet Access Authority.

“Digital convergence, federal spectrum policy, and advances in
online social networking have now made possible the next phase in
our nonprofit business model for journalism and community
networking,” said Bowen, who founded MAIN in 1995.

Bowen called this “next generation” community network “a powerful
new online organizing and advocacy platform” for local nonprofits
and civic groups, plus an “advanced networking platform” for
locally-owned businesses and ‘green’ enterprises.

At the heart of this “next gen” community network, he said, will be
MAIN’s nonprofit Internet service provider (ISP) operation with
mobile broadband capability and sustainable business model.

“Last November, MAIN joined with ‘Internet Freedom’ groups and
high-tech companies to win a 5-0 vote at the FCC to free up vacant
TV channels — our public airwaves — for unlicensed use by mobile
devices,” he said. The spectrum in these vacant channels — called
the “white spaces” — has a range and efficiency capable of
delivering high-definition video, Bowen said.

“This historic vote will allow MAIN to offer mobile broadband
service, as well as fixed broadband to homes and businesses, and
restore our financial sustainability, ” Bowen said.

He predicted that MAIN’s new mobile broadband capability – which
advocates have dubbed “Wi-Fi on steroids” — will generate
sufficient revenue to sustain robust community journalism and social
networking platforms to support the work of local nonprofits and
locally-owned
businesses.

The MAIN board of directors unanimously approved the MAIN 2.0
strategic vision on Jan. 6.  Planning and implementation will be
directed by seven working groups comprised of area volunteers.
Ongoing community input and guidance will be provided by a Community
Network Advisory Council with representatives from key nonprofit and
advocacy organizations.

Bowen said that MAIN will continue deploying its Wi-Fi City
mesh-wireless network throughout Asheville, while planning the
rollout of a new “white spaces” network for mobile broadband.
Industry watchers predict that the new technology could be available
as early as 2010.

MAIN was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Z. Smith
Reynolds Foundation and a $22,000 grant from the Media and Democracy
Fund to continue its broadband advocacy and to develop community
journalism via the MAIN 2.0 strategic vision.

This vision can be previewed at:
http://main.nc.us/spotlights/main-2.0-strategic-plan.html

MAIN’s media reform work included a prolonged effort in the 1990s to
create public, education, and government access TV channels in
Asheville and Buncombe County.  MAIN launched its own low-power FM
radio station in 2003.  For more information, visit:
http://www.main.nc.us, or call 255-0182. END

DONATE NOW

Join the many people who have already donated to WPVM. Veterans’ Voices has some special thank you gifts.
This piece of art can be yours if you are the first person to donate over $35 during Veterans’ Voices. Just tell them you want the painting. If you miss the painting, ask about the Boston Tea Party shirts.

If you missed last week’s podcast, get it before it’s gone.

Tune in to Veterans’ Voices at 5 pm every Wednesday or stream/podcast here.

We have pictures from the VFP & IVAW protest before the final debate, where an Iraq Veteran was trampled by police on horseback.

Iraq War Vet Nick Morgan (photo by Bill Perry)

We discuss what happened and how it could play out in the courts.

If you missed last week’s discussion about Columbus Day, get it before it’s gone.

Tune in to Veterans’ Voices at 5 pm every Wednesday or stream/podcast here.