The Role of Public Radio in Alaska

19 April 2012
7:24 PM

Sunrise at	5:59 AM	in direction	60°	East-northeast
Sunset at	9:43 PM	in direction	300°	West-northwest

Duration of day: 15 hours, 44 minutes (6 minutes, 54 seconds longer than yesterday)


There may be parts of the country where public radio is not so very important, where the national coverage and programming of NPR is not desirable.  That is not true for Alaska.  Alaskans rely on the services of Public Radio Broadcasting for national news, for local coverage of villages, for information about local events, and even to leave messages for those without phone service in rural areas.  


My son has chosen his career in Public Radio Broadcasting and currently is news Director for KTNA, Talkeetna.  Topics covered in the audio broadcasts are posted on the main website.  Recent topics are the struggle to keep the Senior Center open, the impact of new USGS mapping, and the kick off for distance cycling in Talkeetna for the summer season.


KUAC in Fairbanks are the call letters for both Alaska One TV and Public Radio broadcasting.  Top headlines for our area are the return of the Strykers to Ft. Wainwright and continuing efforts to bring a gas pipeline into Fairbanks to eliminate over $4.00 a gallon for heating fuel for local residents.  Fairbanks is uniquely situated as the largest commercial center and government center closest to many villages, university and government research projects, and mining and oil production centers.  Being both a university town and military town, many of the stories of interest revolve around these two anchors to the city's population and economy.


Each city's public radio station has a slightly different online format.  KNOM, for example, has announcements on its front page, features, and then a news tab that notes local and state headlines as well as links to regular shows.  One show is called "Profiles" Influential voices and experts in our region, current events, and cultural topics affecting Western Alaska" and another "Elder Voices:  One of our most popular shows: the memories, stories, and reflections of a respected member of our community."  


Alaska Public Radio carries features from local member stations on its show, Alaska News Nightly, provides daily summaries of events around the state.  Several of my son's audio broadcasts have been picked up by APRN.  All of these stations are supported in part through funds from the Federal government, much to the dismay of some congressmen.  I am not sure why - possibly because public radio news is not as easily influenced as those of regular media broadcasters who are owned and run by people with definite biases.  In any case, the bulk of funds come from the local communities that desire and rely on the service.


In Alaska, many communities would not have any broadcast service without public radio.  It is our link to the outside world and to each other.  We are a state that is expected to keep up with the rest of the country with little infrastructure to support it.  Our public radio is one way we have a chance to be a part of the larger national and world community.