Current.org Blog

www.HoosierHistoryLive.org is a live call-in talk ...

2012-05-21T23:07:51.567-04:00

www.HoosierHistoryLive.org is a live call-in talk radio show about history, and we don't get any public funds. We are trying to make it on donations and underwriting.

www.HoosierHistoryLive.org is a live call-in talk ...

2012-05-21T23:06:56.169-04:00

www.HoosierHistoryLive.org is a live call-in talk radio show about history, and we don't get any public funds. We are trying to make it on donations and underwriting.

If MPBN acquires the "W-Bach" stations, ...

2012-04-23T15:44:11.263-04:00

If MPBN acquires the "W-Bach" stations, it might allow Maine Public radio to go 24/7 news and information on it's current network, much like most NPR member stations have done.

Besides that he is a good chap!

2012-04-05T18:19:10.572-04:00

Besides that he is a good chap!

We received anonymous comments responding to this ...

2012-04-02T12:22:49.386-04:00

We received anonymous comments responding to this blog post last weekend, some of which included derogatory and personal attacks on Pacifica's leadership and critics of its labor practices. The situation prompted Current's editors to review our practices in handling online comments, a process that has been delayed in preparation for the relaunch of Current.org this spring.

As with Current's overarching editorial philosophy, we will not publish remarks that are uncivil, inflammatory or denigrating. We intend to develop a set of guidelines for online comments that will clearly spell this out, as well as prohibit anonymous comments. Once completed, these standards will be shared with all of our readers. During this interim period, we will limit all comments to those posted using a Google Account.

I wonder if PBS considered cutting the more than $...

2012-03-30T17:21:23.822-04:00

I wonder if PBS considered cutting the more than $4 million allocated to pay the outrageously high compensation for its execs?

http://currentpublicmedia.blogspot.com/2011/07/pbs-eliminating-21-positions-kerger.html

The reason this is a bad idea is that your combini...

2012-03-28T20:17:13.222-04:00

The reason this is a bad idea is that your combining one industry with a very high public reputation (Public Broadcasting) with one that is perceived as predatory, had to be regulated to stop seducing our listeners' college aged children to not get into debt and other lascivious activities.

Besides, people don't base their credit card decisions first on a sponsoring organization. They base it on interest rate, bank reputation and other factors that put public service organizations low on the list.

It's simply not worth the costs and effort that James cites. Otherwise we'd have already done it. It's not a new idea. Just a bad one. Could you see the debate in Congress about funding? "Why are we giving $400+ million to those scoundrels in public broadcasting when they make millions getting Americans into Credit Card Debt by giving them double Coffee mugs if they charge their donation. I knew Big Bird and the Car Guys are part of the 1% and this proves it Mr. Speaker Keillor."

Perhaps Suze Orman, who preaches the sins of credit cards on Public Television every few weeks, might weigh in here--after all she's pushing her own card now.

Hi James, I'd be great to have you share your...

2012-03-28T18:13:19.442-04:00

Hi James,

I'd be great to have you share your knowledge and expand more on why you think the program from 25 years ago failed. Those of us that haven't attempted this but are thinking about alternative donation and transaction methods could definitely benefit from your hard learned lessons. It's pretty clear that no one wants to end up with the experience that you describe.

I'm curious to know how the challenges that you encountered in 1987 might be different today and what alternative approaches you might try in 2012. One difference that I see in the approach that I was suggesting from your prior attempt, is that your ask was specific to a single station rather than what I was suggesting, which was a coordinated, system wide outreach and promotional effort across public radio and television stations.

Also, I described a number of other, newer transaction and payment methods and would be interested in reading your thoughts about how to widen the funnel and introduce more fringe listeners into the giving path.

Thanks,
Matt

Don't do this !!!!! In 1987, as program direc...

2012-03-28T16:47:12.889-04:00

Don't do this !!!!! In 1987, as program director of WIBC-AM, the most-listened to radio station in Indiana at the time, we did an affinity credit card program / promotion and threw almost one million dollars into the promotion on-air and off-air. The net result was the placement of only 30 credit cards, a failed promotional effort and all of the negatives that accompany credit cards. To quote George Santayana from his 1905 "The Age of Reason", "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Please do not do this. It is not worth the time or the effort and I am surprised that any bank wants to be a part of this. - James E. Duvall, Indianapolis, IN

The Age of Persuasion is good but otherwise the Ca...

2012-03-28T16:46:28.873-04:00

The Age of Persuasion is good but otherwise the Canadian programming is dull and tedious. It is easy to tune to the station and in the middle of a discussion, know the program comes from up north. Please, please source less from Canada for programming.

Sounds like Boomers are nostalgic for their "...

2012-03-24T17:21:35.049-04:00

Sounds like Boomers are nostalgic for their "Mouseketeers"

Sounds like Baby Boomers are fond of the "Mou...

2012-03-24T17:19:50.009-04:00

Sounds like Baby Boomers are fond of the "Mouseketeers" !!

Today, out show in three acts ... Act 1 - I opin...

2012-03-23T12:48:25.798-04:00

Today, out show in three acts ...

Act 1 - I opine in matters that I know nothing about.

Act 2 - I try to get people to understand the gestalt of my Showtime series.

Act 3 - I figure out when "This American Life" jumped the shark.

I'm not sure why anyone would care whether or ...

2012-03-23T11:38:59.649-04:00

I'm not sure why anyone would care whether or not Ira Glass likes Downton Abbey. Perhaps Mr. Glass should spend more time fact-checking stories for This American Life than criticizing Masterpiece Classic on PBS. The "Complete and utter..." here is This American Life's largely bullshit story on Apple manufacturing in China.

Hi Anonymous: Waiting to hear if there are any mor...

2012-03-21T15:11:59.497-04:00

Hi Anonymous: Waiting to hear if there are any more. The database is tricky to search, there may be more under specific station call letters. Dru

Thanks for the update. You may want to dedicate a...

2012-03-21T14:42:18.898-04:00

Thanks for the update. You may want to dedicate a new blog post once you've accumulated all the entries...

And of course if you have one you'd like us to...

2012-03-21T10:40:39.515-04:00

And of course if you have one you'd like us to include email me directly at sefton@current.org

Hi Anonymous: We're working on that right now!...

2012-03-21T10:40:17.959-04:00

Hi Anonymous: We're working on that right now! Dru

Hello again: I checked with the station. A spokesp...

2012-03-21T10:36:52.005-04:00

Hello again: I checked with the station. A spokesperson provided a document from the Georgia Department of Corrections dated May 17, 2010, in which the Superior Court of Fulton County ordered Belinda Davis to pay $21,116.99 in monthly installments as restitution. In a negotiated plea bargain, Davis pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years probation.

Dru

A number of public media organizations also submit...

2012-03-21T10:28:52.772-04:00

A number of public media organizations also submitted applications to the Knight News Challenge. Perhaps Current could mention them, too?

Thanks Dru.

2012-03-20T20:58:19.920-04:00

Thanks Dru.

Hi Anonymous: That is a very good question. I can ...

2012-03-19T20:30:10.706-04:00

Hi Anonymous: That is a very good question. I can find nothing beyond the indictment. Let me check into this. Dru, Current

Whatever happened with this case?

2012-03-19T19:37:29.333-04:00

Whatever happened with this case?

This spot couldn't have been made without the ...

2012-03-07T14:17:02.128-05:00

This spot couldn't have been made without the wonderful talents of the following people:

Camera: Stephen McCarthy
Effects/CG: Elias Mallette, WGBH Creative
Studio crew: Phil Reilly, Coburn Bennett, WGBH Production Services
Audio design: Paul Sanni, WGBH Creative

Thank you all!

Everyone knows Garrison is liberal, as am I. My qu...

2012-02-23T17:05:29.342-05:00

Everyone knows Garrison is liberal, as am I. My question is, why would a liberal throw a fundraiser for Obama?

Sam in Maine