A couple of months ago, I made a post here explaining that I thought WLUW’s pledge drive efforts were misleading to the public. A couple people replied, (and I’m sure many others thought to themselves), "why would someone be critical of a station like WLUW? At least they’re trying to serve the community…it’s not like they’re a Clear Channel station or something."

Well, these are exactly the reasons that I made that post. I don’t think WLUW is properly utilizing its fundraising money to best serve the community. Furthermore, unlike at a Clear Channel station, I don’t think anyone one would ever expect a station like WLUW to become caught up in revenue interests or corporate management politics.

Unfortunately, I believe that this has become the case at Chicago’s "Independent Community Radio." It seems that fundraising efforts have overshadowed its emphasis on serving the community.

Not only am I a long time listener of the station, but I also spent about 4 years as a volunteer and on-air personality at WLUW. While still an active volunteer at the station, I tried to express my concerns about our increasing budget and our increasing emphasis on fundraising. However, despite repeated questioning, my concerns fell completely on deaf ears. Worst of all, not long after becoming outspoken about these issues, I was asked to leave the organization, completely…without warning or a chance for appeal.

I’ve documented the entire experience in a new Blog that I’ve created titled "Fear Channel, Behind The Scenes At WLUW," that is available at www.fearchannel.blogspot.com. In addition to detailing the rather suspicious circumstances leading to my termination, the site also contains my critique and analysis of the operations of WLUW since becoming managed by Chicago’s Public Radio station, WBEZ.

However, the real issue here is not about whether I was unfairly treated as a volunteer. The real question to be asked here is whether WLUW is truly utilizing its funding in a way that best serves the interests of the community. As someone who was heavily involved at the station, I honestly believe that the station could do much better in how it utilizes its listener-supported funds and I’ve yet to hear any argument or see any documented proof to make me believe otherwise.

However, at this point, I’ve exhausted all avenues of inquiry at WLUW and there seems to be nothing else I can do. In addition, current volunteers are now more afraid than ever to speak out about these issues due to the way my situation was handled. At the very least, volunteers at a community radio station should always feel comfortable expressing their comments, critiques and criticisms about an organization that they play such a vital role in keeping alive. It seems really sad to me that a non-profit organization would be reduced to such an intimidating and uncompromising state of operations.

Give my story a read and let me know what you think of the situation. Again, please don’t focus on the "he said, she said" part of it. Please examine the big picture and evaluate whether you think that WLUW is operating in a way that is in line with its mission of being a radio station "committed to social justice and independent thought and expressions." All questions, suggestions and comments (negative or positive), are welcome at: rfceditor(at)hotmail.com.

Sincerely,

Brad Knutson
WLUW Volunteer 1999-2004