KBFR, again
I don't live in Boulder anymore (I'm a couple of states away) but it looks like someone pirated (heh) the old KBFR logo and name and is running a station in Boulder again.
A friend sent me this link to the local newspaper story.
I have to wonder about the reporter though. There was a time when the local newspaper would do things to help the local community. Supporting a pirate radio station that created some interesting diversity in town would be a nice thing for the local newspaper to do, don't you think?
It looks to me like the reporter either doesn't think that and is working in the interest of main stream media only, or he's not very bright. His name is John Aguilar and he is, apparently, the 'police and courts' reporter. Why the guy on the cop beat is doing a story on Pirate Radio I have no clue.
Normally, you'd write a piece on a station like this and you'd talk to people and the radio people involved and you'd put the story out there. The kind of story The Boulder Weekly would do, for instance.
This reporter actually called the FCC for comment. (no return call yet.. doh). Good god man.. what were you thinking? Either you wanted to screw with these new KBFR guys, or you're just stupid.
AND he called the local Clear Channel dickhead (Scott Arbough- KBCO program director) for his opinion. This is the guy that originally called the FCC on KBFR back in 2000 and complained, causing the first shutdown of the station. Asshole.
Apparently Scott also thinks it's hurting artists because 'they don't pay fees'.
Actually, no one in the US Radio market pays artists fees. They claim it's 'promotion' and don't have to (although the rest of the world DOES do it).
US radio stations pay a tiny bit (a small percentage of a penny) to the writers... but nothing to the artists. Guys like Scott are worse than the Republicans when it comes to bending the truth and when it suites them, outright lies.
Scott will call the FCC and complain, again. You can bet on it. Since he works for Clear Channel (the FCC's 'customer'... and hence, boss) the FCC will respond. Most likely soon.
So KBFR-reborn will have a half life of a few weeks. Maybe.
It's too bad really. We need more local community oriented radio, not pre-programmed pap from corporate giants. Here in Iowa, there are some pretty good local stations, but still alot of crappy Clear Channel stuff stuff as well.
The FCC was supposed to make sure THE PEOPLE had full and fair use of the natural resource of the radio waves. Instead, they've sold it off to the highest bidder to sell more shit to a society that defines itself by it's possessions. Pitiful.
Someday, maybe, The People will figure out they can do things like what KBFR is and take it back. If enough people do it, the FCC will have to deal with it.
They started with LPFM (Low Power FM) but Clear Channel, the NAB, NPR and some other incumbents managed to kill it off. See this story:
http://archive.boulderweekly.com/090601/coverstory.html
It makes me sad that even Boulder, once a town that embraced diversity and even weirdness, is becoming just another rich white 'I've got mine' enclave of elite assholes driving their Prius's and Scooters and $3000 titanium bikes to the rock climbing gym and then to Vic's for coffee and discussion on how their eco-friendly investment portfolio is doing.
Even Boulder, once a truly special place, has gone to the dogs.
I'm glad I left.
A friend sent me this link to the local newspaper story.
I have to wonder about the reporter though. There was a time when the local newspaper would do things to help the local community. Supporting a pirate radio station that created some interesting diversity in town would be a nice thing for the local newspaper to do, don't you think?
It looks to me like the reporter either doesn't think that and is working in the interest of main stream media only, or he's not very bright. His name is John Aguilar and he is, apparently, the 'police and courts' reporter. Why the guy on the cop beat is doing a story on Pirate Radio I have no clue.
Normally, you'd write a piece on a station like this and you'd talk to people and the radio people involved and you'd put the story out there. The kind of story The Boulder Weekly would do, for instance.
This reporter actually called the FCC for comment. (no return call yet.. doh). Good god man.. what were you thinking? Either you wanted to screw with these new KBFR guys, or you're just stupid.
AND he called the local Clear Channel dickhead (Scott Arbough- KBCO program director) for his opinion. This is the guy that originally called the FCC on KBFR back in 2000 and complained, causing the first shutdown of the station. Asshole.
Apparently Scott also thinks it's hurting artists because 'they don't pay fees'.
Actually, no one in the US Radio market pays artists fees. They claim it's 'promotion' and don't have to (although the rest of the world DOES do it).
US radio stations pay a tiny bit (a small percentage of a penny) to the writers... but nothing to the artists. Guys like Scott are worse than the Republicans when it comes to bending the truth and when it suites them, outright lies.
Scott will call the FCC and complain, again. You can bet on it. Since he works for Clear Channel (the FCC's 'customer'... and hence, boss) the FCC will respond. Most likely soon.
So KBFR-reborn will have a half life of a few weeks. Maybe.
It's too bad really. We need more local community oriented radio, not pre-programmed pap from corporate giants. Here in Iowa, there are some pretty good local stations, but still alot of crappy Clear Channel stuff stuff as well.
The FCC was supposed to make sure THE PEOPLE had full and fair use of the natural resource of the radio waves. Instead, they've sold it off to the highest bidder to sell more shit to a society that defines itself by it's possessions. Pitiful.
Someday, maybe, The People will figure out they can do things like what KBFR is and take it back. If enough people do it, the FCC will have to deal with it.
They started with LPFM (Low Power FM) but Clear Channel, the NAB, NPR and some other incumbents managed to kill it off. See this story:
http://archive.boulderweekly.com/090601/coverstory.html
It makes me sad that even Boulder, once a town that embraced diversity and even weirdness, is becoming just another rich white 'I've got mine' enclave of elite assholes driving their Prius's and Scooters and $3000 titanium bikes to the rock climbing gym and then to Vic's for coffee and discussion on how their eco-friendly investment portfolio is doing.
Even Boulder, once a truly special place, has gone to the dogs.
I'm glad I left.
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