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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2005
For info call (608)256-2001
Madison's Community Radio - WORT-FM Celebrates 30 years on-air with Mayoral
Proclamation and County Commendation
WORT 89.9 FM, Madison's Community Radio celebrated the thirtieth anniversary
of its inaugural broadcast today. The event was marked by a proclamation of
"WORT DAY" by Madison's Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, and a resolution by
the Dane County Board commending the station for 30-years of achievement.
As the station moves into its fourth decade, things are going well for this
bold experiment in listener-sponsored, diverse and eclectic community-based
radio. WORT has participated in many events and accomplishments over the past
three decades, and looks forward to many more -including furthering its links
to the national and international world of community radio (this past July,
the station established a sister-radio relationship with a station in El Salvador).
Amy Goodman, award-winning host of the national news program Democracy Now!
put it best when she said of WORT - "It's amazing that such a small box
can make so much noise."
WORT invites local listeners to come celebrate on Saturday at the High Noon
Saloon from 8:00pm - 1:30am, and everyone to keep their eyes on WORT as it moves
into the future at www.wort-fm.org.
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 Editorial: 30 years on the air for WORT
A Capital Times editorial
December 1, 2005
At 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, 1975, Madisonians who were spinning their radio dials
in the vicinity of 89.9 FM heard something new and completely different: community
radio produced by volunteers.
Thirty years later, with commercial radio stations more consolidated in their
ownership and more formatted in their programming, WORT is even more refreshing
and necessary than it was back in the days when Paul Soglin was the city's "boy
mayor."
Because of its innovative public affairs programming including Madison's most
extensive local news reports on radio and its diverse music shows, WORT has
become an essential part of the local political and cultural discourse. And,
now, thanks to streaming on the Internet and podcasting, it is being heard nationally
and internationally.
WORT has come to be seen as a model for community radio projects in cities
across the United States. Yet it remains, as it always has been, a pure product
of Madison and south-central Wisconsin.
Tune in tonight at 8 and hear what an experiment in media-for-the-people sounds
like when it's all grown up. And don't forget WORT's 30th birthday bash, Saturday
night at the High Noon Saloon.
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MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, WORT-FM Community Radio has served the Madison community continuously
for 30 years; and
WHEREAS December 1 2005 at 8:00 pm marks the exact moment of that 30th anniversary;
and
WHEREAS, Community radio in general and WORT in particular is an essential
component of a free and democratic society by providing access to differing
points of view; and
WHEREAS, WORT has a long tradition of giving voice to the unrepresented and
underrepresented groups in our city; and
WHEREAS, WORT provides an exciting and interesting alternative to commercial
radio programming; and
WHEREAS, WORT provides news and information by, for, and about our community
that is not found anywhere else on the dial; and
WHEREAS, WORT for many years provided exclusive coverage of Madison City Council
meetings, and now provides unique locally focused coverage of all elections,
and other local issues; and
WHEREAS, WORT carries regular public service announcements and events calendars
to help community organizations publicize their activities; and
WHEREAS, WORT is a unique and valuable asset to the cultural life of our city;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Madison, Wisconsin
does hereby proclaim December 1, 2005 as WORT DAY in the City of Madison and
encourage all residents to tune into WORT radio at 89.9 FM and help them celebrate!
Mayor David J. Cieslewicz
Signed and sealed this 28th day of November 2005 at City Hall.
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 COUNTY BOARD RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING WORT RADIO ON ITS 30th ANNIVERSARY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO DANE
COUNTY
WHEREAS at 8:00 p.m. on Dec. 1, 1975, WORT 89.9 FM went on the air in Madison
as “Back Porch Radio;” and
WHEREAS for 30 years WORT has been supported by the community, carrying out
its work through its large pool of volunteers and listener sponsors, who donate
60% of the station’s operating budget; and
WHEREAS today WORT is unique radio station which provides programming and
a voice for underrepresented groups such as children, youth, women, workers,
sexual minorities and others; and
WHEREAS not only English-language but also Spanish-language and Hmong-language
programs are offered on WORT to serve a wide variety of listeners; and
WHEREAS local news and community events are a important part of WORT’s
service to its listeners in a 50-mile radius stretching from Beaver Dam to Platteville;
and
WHEREAS an important part of WORT’s mission has been to provide the
public with direct access to the airwaves, and it still offers the community
an “Access Hour” each Monday evening; and
WHEREAS WORT is a cultural resource in Dane County, sponsoring a wide variety
of music and pubic affairs programs which reflect the great diversity of Dane
County; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors commends
WORT radio on its 30 years of service to the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the diversity of ideas, culture and information
reflected in WORT’s programming are part of what make Dane County a good
place to live; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the
staff, board and volunteers of WORT.
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December 1, 2005
To the WORT Community:
Our thoughts are with all of you at WORT, Madison's listener-sponsored community
radio. On this day of triumph: Bravo WORT, Bravissimo!
WORT is indispensable as a community resource in Madison. You have also made
enormous contributions to free media, democracy, and community-building nationally
and world-wide.
We've come a long way together over the years! Pacifica celebrates our shared
history and tradition and thanks you for your enormous contribution to rebuilding
the Pacifica affiliates program. You continue to offer invaluable guidance and
partnership and we are gratified that WORT is a Pacifica affiliate. We look
forward to our continued partnership in our larger shared common goal of building
an independent community radio movement.
Happy 30th birthday and congratulations.
Julie Rodriguez, Chair of Pacifica National Board
Ambrose Lane, Pacifica Interim Executive Director
Ursula Ruedenberg, Pacifica Affiliates Coordinator |
