Transmission Project

I. Statement of Need
Media Bridge’s venture into the LPFM world is a step we feel very comfortable with, but at the same respect it will weigh heavy on our staff and man power to get the Radio station up and running. We seek a VISTA to contribute in the structuring of a stable working infrastructure. To develop and implement a content management system and a volunteer management system will help offset duties from a paid staff member, which could be used towards more direct service. The LPFM radio station is particularly critical at this time as the construction permit expires in August of 2009. Failure to be on the air by that time may result in our losing this precious community resource.

Culture Concerns
When local media diversity suffers, local creativity does too. Media Bridges’ LP-FM Station will augment its mission and provide total access to the Cincinnati media market. The few noncommercial stations that air area artists are limited to certain genres or specialty shows just a few hours a week. Growing cities like Cincinnati need strong channels of communication. To solve our local media crisis, we need media outlets like WVQC that bring back local voices, embrace diversity, encourage discussion and provide an outlet for creativity.

II. Program Description
The noncommercial, volunteer-driven, low-power FM radio station will increase both the number and the diversity of voices on the air, ensuring that Cincinnati has a media forum that brings residents together to contribute to the public discussion. Low power radio is the ideal community medium for three reasons. First, it is local. An LPFM signal extends only 3-5 miles, just enough to cover a community. Second, it is accessible. Radio is cheaper than both the internet and television, and 93 percent of Americans tune in to it at least once a week. Finally, low power radio is affordable. Affordability is one of the greatest barriers to participation in the market place of ideas.

Goals and Objectives
To increase Cincinnati’s access to local, community-based media by:
• Providing a locally owned station that broadcasts at least 50 hours a week
• Airing at least 40 hours a week of original programming produced by volunteers
• Training at least 40 local programmers

To increase the diversity of voices in local media by:
• Actively recruiting women, minorities and people of low income for programming and Advisory Board positions.
• Offering broadcast training classes for less than $100.
• Prioritizing shows with unique content, to ensure that a wide variety of voices are represented on the air.

To promote local arts and culture and provide much needed exposure to local musicians by:
• Airing several hours of arts and cultural programming each week.
• Designating blocks of airtime for local music
• Creating a library of songs by local musicians for volunteers to play on the air

To encourage public discussion and civic engagement by:
• Broadcasting city council meetings over the air and on the internet.
• Prioritizing talk and public affairs programs that cover issues of local importance.

Program Timeline
• From August 2008-July 2009: WVQC is currently in the construction phase, which includes fundraising, marketing, purchasing equipment, conducting outreach, training volunteers and drafting station policies.

• On August 1, 2009, WVQC will hold a community event to celebrate our debut on the airwaves and officially begin broadcasting 51 hours a week.

• In the first year of broadcasting, from August 2009-July 2010, WVQC will conduct periodic evaluations and use the results to improve the station’s service to the community. In the future, the station will continue to expand and improve, becoming a fixture of local media and enhancing the quality of communication in Cincinnati.

WQVC is a start up LP-FM Station and the first several years will be a vulnerable time. Media Bridges will need all the support and resources it can get to make the station a strong foundation within the community. It is this networking and the hard work of the VISTA’s and the CTC VISTA Project that will benefit our cause.

The VISTA’s goals will be to develop an online content management system that will allow Media Bridges to do the following:

• Public File: To assist the the Station Manager in keeping detailed logs of information relating to WVQC’s.

• Community Comments: The VISTA will acquire and organize Public comments to be reviewed by the Station Manager and summarized in station reports.

• Surveys: The VISTA will conduct surveys of programmers and class attendees to document their gender, racial background and average income. They will also seek input on station policies and measure satisfaction with station operations.