News-Record.com

As soon as classical music returns to WFDD, I'll start thinking what they say is important again. I used to be a day sponsor and am not now. Feh on them and their outreach! Music matters.

Fascinating, the coincidental timing of WFDD's sudden jones for citizen journalism and the Knight Foundation's announcement of big money in the offing.

I'll be very disappointed if the Knight Foundation throws money down the rathole of this type of venture - old media's desperate floundering attempts to stay relevant. I thought they were looking for innovative, creative, entrepreneurial ventures that are not dependent on, and therefore controlled by, the same old channels of money and power.

The Citizen Media Center is a good idea. If WFDD has such a deep belief in it, they should convince Wake Forest to fund it as an extension of the Communications department. It would be good training for students in most disciplines.

I hope the Knight Foundation can see the difference between scared old media looking to pad departmental budgets, and true new voices doing good work in need of some startup support.

I'm writing to help our friend "not" better understand what is going on.

First of all, Not, you wrote, “...the coincidental timing of WFDD's sudden jones [what does this mean?] for citizen journalism and the Knight Foundation's announcement of big money in the offing.” Not, what you don't know is that the idea and research for a Center for Public Media (CPM) began BEFORE the Knight Foundation's funding was discovered. I know this because, coincidentally (your word), I was there soon after the CPM was first discussed and, later on, obtained the same information, on the same day, as WFDD concerning the Knight Foundation's offering. Not, it really is a coincidence… a fortunate, wonderful coincidence.

Next, Not, you identify the CPM as a “rathole” not worthy of the Knight Foundation’s support. Come on now, you haven’t even seen the final proposal–no one has! Let’s hold judgment until there is something to judge! You go on to say, “I thought they were looking for innovative, creative, entrepreneurial ventures that are not dependent on, and therefore controlled by, the same old channels of money and power.” Not, please go to the Knight Foundations website where you’ll learn that while they do want “…new ideas, pilot projects, commercial products and leadership initiatives that will improve the flow of information and news in the public interest.”, they want to hear from “…nonprofits, companies or individuals.” They make no mention of denying organizations that already exist.

Not, you go on to mention that a deep belief in the CPM should lead WFDD to “…convince Wake Forest to fund it as an extension of the Communications department.” I appreciate your view that the CPM would benefit student in most disciplines. However, I can imagine many other groups that would benefit from the presence of and access to the CPM as it is currently conceived. A deep belief in the CPM should lead WFDD to find whatever financial sourcing will allow the CPM to achieve its full potential.

Finally, Not, you close by saying, “I hope the Knight Foundation can see the difference between scared old media looking to pad departmental budgets, and true new voices doing good work in need of some startup support.” Please don’t assume for a voice to be “true” that it must be “new.” The folks I have met and worked with at WFDD are some of the truest and best-intentioned people I know. Their efforts to reevaluate their role within the community and campus (so they may better fulfill their mission) are commendable. And if, at the end of the day, the Knight Foundation chooses to support the CPM, sends funds that “pad” a department’s budget, and permits the CPM to fulfill its mission, then I say, God bless padding.

Just imagine, Not… if all goes as I think it should, then you will have a new forum in which to share your views… the Center for Public Media.

Take care.

Sincerely,
firstkatz (No. I’m not an employee of WFDD!)

Your shilling is noted, and filed under same old same old. I find corporate marketing spin much less compelling than an individual's well thought-out opinion, or some well laid-out facts. You left your reasons for pushing this hard murky - is a paycheck for you a possibility? - but even more importantly you gave me no specifics on why it's a good idea that could conceivably change my mind.

Now tell me, since you have all the inside information, why I should be in favor of this thing, other than the fact that you, whoever you are, were in on the origins of it?

The fact is that WFDD is struggling, and needs to find a way to survive. The WSJ article says that much as well. If building this Center, to the great glory of WFDD and to the padding of their operational budget, means usurping funds that would otherwise go to citizens and their brand new ventures in citizen media, I'm adamantly opposed to it.

Let's get into the details of it if you want to debate. What salaries will WFDD staffers make working at the Center? What sort of corporate sponsorships will the station benefit from in this altruistic experiment? Who will pay the mortgage or lease on the building? Before Knight Foundation funds became a possibility, how did WFDD propose to fund this project? How much will it cost, and for how many years? Exactly how will this serve the community and citizen journalists? Will it be a profit center? How much will citizen journalists pay for this "training", and what will they get for their money and time?

It worked well for you to rearrange the meaning of "true new voices", but what I meant was "truly new voices" -- voices that have never before been heard in the town square. THAT is citizen media. Paint the WFDD staff as "true" as you like - their integrity is irrelevant to this point.

Don't bother correcting me on my opinion again. WFDD is NOT CITIZEN'S MEDIA and shouldn't get their paws on the people's money. Want to convince me otherwise? Give me something besides the press release. As a self-professed insider, you could bring some actual information to the table. I'd even take some grant proposal b.s. over more of your defensive condescension.

Not, thank you for explaining that you really meant "truly new" instead of "true new." There is no arguing with your opinion that you want to hear from people besides those at WFDD. Then again, you don't know that what is being proposed for the Center won't allow for and encourage the new voices you want to hear. You are adamant that the Knight Foundation funds "go to citizens and their brand new ventures in citizen media." While that is one way for the funds to be used (and given the amount available it will probably happen), the Knight Foundation clearly states its interest in hearing from established groups. No matter how much you may oppose it, it is their money and conditions.... not yours, mine, or the people’s.

As for your questions to me, I do not have the answers you seek. To this point, all that any of us have are questions. As far as I know, this is an ongoing process and decisions are still being formulated. Therefore, to continue demanding answers or wondering why it should be supported (or condemned) is pointless. As I mentioned in my first comment, wait for something to judge before passing judgment.

From the beginning, all that you have heard from me is my opinion and not "corporate marketing spin" as you have labeled it. You speak of wanting "well laid-out facts" and yet you have nothing but your own opinion. We cannot even call it an informed opinion because you lack (we all lack) the information necessary to develop an informed opinion... a finished proposal for the Center. In addition, I have nothing to gain by the establishment of the Center or anything to loose if it never happens.

Finally, you raised a question about my motivation for responding to your initial comment–that I must be “shilling” or hoping for a “paycheck.” My motivation was simply the content of your first comment.