Old Gold and Black > 02.13.03 > WAKE Radio deserving of additional support
The Student Newspaper of Wake Forest University
Established 1916



Policies

 

 

 

WAKE Radio deserving of additional support
This column represents the views of the Old Gold and Black Editorial Board.

Although often mistakenly confused with 88.5 FM WFDD, WAKE Radio is the entirely student-run Internet radio station on campus. WAKE Radio is registered with the College Music Journal, which provides the bulk of the music albums the station uses to broadcast live radio shows over the Internet.

CMJ, however, recently announced that the company will stop registering Internet radio stations, partially in reaction to copyright legislation that mandates the payment of royalties of all copyrighted music broadcast over the Internet.

The future of WAKE Radio, therefore, is in a precarious situation, as CMJ will stop providing music to the station and WAKE Radio will lack the funds to purchase new music or pay copyright royalties. To make the situation even worse, WAKE Radio's request to move to an FM broadcast frequency was rejected due to budget limitations.

At other universities in the state, college radio is a vital part of the students' voice in the university community. As an outlet for creative expression, WAKE Radio provides numerous students with the opportunity to have their voices heard and give other students access to a variety of genres of music not provided by WFDD or other local radio stations.

The administration, the university and the community at large need to support WAKE Radio. Though the upgrade of the station to FM frequency may be a costly venture, a revitalized campus radio station like WAKE radio will be a sound investment on the university's behalf.



 


Copyright 2002, WFU Publications Board. All rights reserved.