[cross-posted at Calitics -- any suggestions regarding other CA/San Diego blogs would be welcome]
I've been posting on progressive talk radio a fair amount this year, focusing on the efforts of our Boston group to buy a station as a solid home for progressive talk. Relying on the kindness of Clear Channel and similar media behemoths, as we have discovered, doesn't work.
While we're making good progress (hey, we're progressives, after all), many stations across the country are still dependent on the whims of these media giants.
Now San Diego's KLSD (yup, that's the real name) is in trouble. This is a call to action, not an extensive analysis, so much of the content comes from the SaveKLSD.com website. If I have a chance, I'll update it later. Thanks to NonStopRadio.com and user rougegorge for alerting me.
See also the Yahoo! group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/...
The key information:
Gather at 7:30 a.m. Monday, August 27th outside of Clear Channel's San Diego’s headquarters: 9660 Granite Ridge Dr., San Diego, CA 92123
The only liberal/progressive broadcast media outlet in San Diego County is about to be shut down.
Clear Channel, who owns KLSD 1360 AM, is in the process of switching the liberal talk format to yet another Sports Talk station. We need our voice in media – and you can help. ...
There will be two gatherings, both outside of Clear Channel’s offices at 9660 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego, CA 92123 .
The first meeting will be to help organize the big rally. All interested individuals and groups, who are willing to work on this issue, should meet on Saturday, August 25th at 9:00am. At 10:00am we will announce the specific plans for the big rally on Monday.
Will be updated later.
San Diegans, please come to the rescue, and let those of us around the country know how we can help!
UPDATE 1: One thing I wanted to mention is that Madison, WI was able to stave off a threat to its station by rallying behind progressive talk. But no groups have been able to change a station back once it's been flipped. Clear Channel has been very careful to keep news about impending flips secret since the Madison episode. They even flipped the Columbus, OH station a day early because there was a rally scheduled for the day of the flip. Hence the need for quick action.
UPDATE 2: Thanks to William Domingo, here's the website information:
http://www.am1360klsd.com/...
It mentions the "rumor" front and center.
UPDATE 3: Thanks to tface1000 over at Calitics.com, here's a petition: http://www.gopetition.com/...
Tface also has a bunch of posts on his/her blog:
http://terryfaceplace.blogspot.com/
UPDATE 4: Just heard back from the lone San Diegan whom I was able to find on the Daily Kos Frappr map. He said he'd been to the planning meeting.
UPDATE 5: Here's his report on the planning meeting.
I don't know good metrics for this kind of thing, but I was quite impressed with how much has come together in such a short time. I counted 28 people at one point, and I would say another dozen or so showed up late. Everyone was on message, everyone eager to help. A lot of people I recognized from Vets for Peace, DFA, PDA, MoveOn, and other such groups - a lot of regulars. I'm hoping we see many more, and more than just regulars, at the Monday event, and I'm optimistic on that front. Everyone's getting out and spreading the word this weekend.
Scott "Scooter" Tempesta stopped by on his way in to his broadcast (The Rant with Scooter) and expressed support - and said we've got support within local management, also that the push for the switch comes from local Sales. Kate, a researcher (I think) from Jon Elliot's show, also came by with support and literature.
Beyond "Show Up!", I don't think there's much to post about - certainly no secrets to keep or reveal. I think your diary is all we need; anything I could post would just be Me, Too. As I'm spreading the word, I'm also pointing to your diary - chiefly the Calitics incarnation, because it's a local issue.
UPDATE 6: Please visit my new diary, with first part of interview with Jon Elliott: Jon Elliott Wants You to Save KLSD. Please leave new comments there rather than here.