Many listeners noticed and appreciated the coverage KZYX provided during the Rocky and Jerusalem fires in Lake and surrounding counties. Residents all over the region have turned to local public radio for regular updates and critical information.
The revival of the KZYX news department has been a welcome development in any case, but it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for residents of our area. Local news and community information is an important part of the mission of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting, and the station is committed to continuing to improve this vital resource. But, however well justified, this improvement in listener service has placed increased demands on the organization’s already-tight operating budget at a time when federal funds to public radio are decreasing, and unexpected expenses seem to be the order of the day.
KZYX is having a one-day pledge drive on Friday, August 28 to make sure it has the funding it needs to continue providing local coverage people can rely on. “It’s a commonly held misconception that public radio is made possible because of federal funding, and that’s partially true, but the majority of the station’s support has always come from the community it serves,” said Stuart Campbell, President of the KZYX Board of Directors. “That will be increasingly so in the years to come.”
Mendocino County Public Broadcasting will be making a special appeal to its listeners on Friday August 28, during its one-day “Hear When You Need Us” pledge drive. The day will be filled with special programming that highlights all the quality shows the station has to offer, and shines a special spotlight on its increasingly vital news and community affairs component. Supporters are encouraged to tune in and call in.
