There’s a new radio station on Peoria’s dial: WAZU 90.7 FM. Since I read about it in Steve Tarter’s column in the Journal Star, I’ve been checking it out regularly. It’s “a non-commercial station operated by Illinois Central College.” The format is community radio, which is described by Wikipedia as “a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial and public service.”
The station is just getting started, which is obvious from all the signal drops over the past few weeks (it’s gotten much more stable in the past week or so). Tarter quoted ICC President John Erwin as saying, “We’re in the beta stage working out all the engineering pieces.” During this “beta stage” they are also doing no original broadcasting, but instead simulcasting KZGM (KZ-88) out of Cabool, Missouri.
The programming is pretty diverse (in type and style, if not political viewpoint). Unlike commercial and public radio stations, community radio doesn’t limit itself to one musical format. Music on WAZU/KZGM runs the gamut from Bing Crosby (who has a whole one-hour show dedicated to him Saturday mornings), to rock ‘n roll of the 50s and 60s, to Trance Music and progressive music, to folk music, to local musicians.
There are also a number of local (for Cabool) music and talk programs; in fact, more local programming than anything we’ve seen around Peoria in decades. The talk programming is not just news, but also gardening, puzzles, schools, health, etc. The news programming is decidedly liberal; they make NPR sound like Fox News. National news shows include Pacifica Radio’s “Free Speech Radio News” and “Democracy Now.” The narrow political viewpoint is a concern to at least one listener who has contacted me, saying:
From the December 17, 2009, ICC Board of Trustees meeting minutes, page 3, “Dr. Robert Ehrich commented that he is concerned with political views, and Dr. Erwin responded that the commentator is restricted from giving political opinions.” […] So far, it’s the only thing that I’ve heard on WAZU FM. I’m curious if WAZU will program a wide variety of political viewpoints, or not.
I don’t know if this answers my reader’s question, but according to WAZU’s new website:
WAZU hosts, who are referred to as “programmers”, are to be accorded the maximum amount of editorial freedom possible. The only requirement is that they adhere to WAZU’s mission statement, all programming must be educational and non-commercial, must serve the cultural welfare of the community, and must contribute (or at the very least not be a detriment) to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors.
I’m looking forward to hearing what kind of local programming will be produced here in Peoria. So far, I’ve found community radio to be a welcome addition to Peoria’s radio dial, offering something completely different from existing radio stations. The Cabool hosts are interesting and entertaining; hopefully Peoria hosts will be also.
In other radio news, Peoria Pundit is reporting that four local FM stations have changed ownership recently.
Democracy Now and Free Speech Radio News are terrific shows, and a welcome alternative to Rush Limbaugh et al. Everyone should welcome the diversity of viewpoints which are not otherwise available in Peoria, though they are available on the web and as podcasts. Good for ICC for airing these shows, and let’s hope they continue.
These shows are liberal but they do not lie, distort the truth, or take things out of context the way Fox and other right wing broadcasters do. They are anti-war (what’s wrong with that?) and pro ordinary people (what’s wrong with that?). If the US gov followed their agenda, we would all be a lot better off today.
I think each side of the political spectrum believes the other side lies and distorts the truth; and sometimes they do.
Looks like it might be similar to WEFT out of Champaign.
I love WEFT!!
CJ, there are lots of “community radio” stations in small-town Illinois that you would probably love. Canton’s WBYS (yes, I manage it so I’m biased) just does our thing: lost dogs, local interviews daily with city officials, businesspersons, event organizers, etc. High school sports (as much as we can do!), college sports, pro sports, local news (we even have our own news man, imagine!), obits, swap shops, and most importantly when the weather gets bad we all run down there and let people know.
There are many stations just like that, less than an hour from Peoria. Monmouth, Aledo, Galesburg, Princeton, even Kewanee (despite an owner who is despicable) all have community involved stations, each to it’s own extent. Email me anytime and I’ll give you frequencies, program schedules, whatever you want. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some GREAT people working in Peoria radio, talented folks, but yes, you are correct there’s not a lot of hyper-local (the big guys would say “hick”) radio in town. I have done both, that has worked in Peoria and the smaller towns.
Best “community radio” station in Central Illinois is WWHP in Farmer City.
Catch it on 98.3FM when you are driving on I-74 near Bloomington-Normal, or as you drive by on the way to Champaign-Urbana.
Available on the internet also at wwhp.com
Bob, it’s okay, but I wouldn’t say it was the best. At least not the last time I heard it. Do they still play “roots” Americana music? BTW, many of the stations I mentioned play NO music, it’s all news/talk/sports/info.
Can we investigate Sirius Syncope the owner?
i always listen to radio news every morning in the same way that i always read the dail newspaper ..
I just discovered WAZU on my radio a few days ago, and now it’s about all I listen to. It provides programming from Pacifica, which is America’s oldest public community radio, coming out of Berkeley, CA where I used to live.
I am not conservative or liberal, so I like hearing all sides of a political debate. I recently heard shows that were critical of the American Cancer Society, Jerry Lewis MS Telethons and NY sweat shops that exploit illegals.
Long live WAZU.
WAZU broadcasts hard left opinion on the taxpayer dime. Either stop the propagandizing or reject public money.
Im hooked on kz88’s morning programs I hope wazu can take note and follow a similer format. I dont listen too much in afternoon unless it has some political agenda on.. the regular commentary is lacking personality.