>From:
>The PNN (Pacifica Network News) strikers
>pnnstrikers@igc.org
>http://www.savepacifica.net/strike
>
>FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
>NEEDS YOUR HELP!
>
>Dear progressive radio activist,
>
>First, we'd like to thank you for your support of Free Speech Radio News by
>broadcasting it on your stations, by listening to it regularly, and by
>donating funding to keep it going. We began producing the weekly "strikers'
>newscast" in early February; we have since heard from many people that they
>consider it a reliable, critical, and truly grassroots source of news from
>around the world.
>
>However, after an outpouring of small ($20-$50) donations from listeners
>earlier in the year, the pace of giving has dropped dramatically, and we
>are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the bills. Expenses include
>studio rental, phone, fax and shipping, audio supplies and compensation to
>the freelance journalists whose work you hear on the cast. Without an
>immediate infusion of funds and a structure to support the cast into the
>future, Free Speech Radio News will not be around much longer.
>
>Most community-supported radio programs raise money through
>on-air fund drives, but Free Speech Radio News has been unable to do this.
>We have relied on a short fund pitch at the end of each newscast, as well
>as frequent internet solicitations and word-of-mouth in the activist
>community to raise needed monies. This has unfortunately not proven to be
>enough to continue funding Free Speech Radio News.
>
>Now, we are turning to you: station managers and news directors who run the
>cast, and listener/activists who appreciate the news we deliver. Here's
>what you can do:
>
>1. If you are one of the nearly three dozen station running
> Free Speech Radio News, please pay what you can for the cast. We
> know many
>community stations have limited funding available for programming and no
>one will be denied the cast for lack of funds. However, if you can pay for
>programming, we'd suggest a minimum of $50-100 a month, or more if you can
>afford it. Tell us what you'd like to pay by sending an email to
>pnnstrikers@igc.org and we'll send you an invoice every month (or every
>quarter or year; please specify what billing period is most convenient for
>you).
>
>2. If you are a listener, become a sustainer. Consider pledging $10, $25,
>$50 or more per month to keep a quality news alternative on the air. Send
>an email to pnnstrikers@igc.org with your email and postal addresses, the
>amount you want to pledge each month. And, tell us if it's ok to list your
>name on our web page as a contributor. We'll send you a reminder each month
>by email or postal mail -- whichever you prefer.
>
>3. Consider organizing a special pledge drive just for Free Speech Radio
>News at your station. WCBN in Ann Arbor did essentially that, and raised
>hundreds of dollars which they've donated to Free Speech Radio News. You
>can read WCBN's statement at http://wcbn.org/pacifica.html.
>
>At a minimum, we need to raise enough money to support the production of a
>weekly newscast -- about $7000 per month. We would, however, be delighted
>to raise more than that, enabling us to expand Free Speech Radio News
>production to more days per week.
>
>If you can think of other ways to help, let us know. We want
>to keep the newscast coming, but we'll need listener and station support to
>make it happen.
>
>In solidarity,
>
>The PNN (Pacifica Network News) strikers
>pnnstrikers@igc.org
>http://www.savepacifica.net/strike
>
>
>
>
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