Dear Valued GCR Partner Stations, Listeners and Friends:
As some of you may have noticed, there have been a lot of programming and schedule changes across all three GCR audio streams this past month or so. Here's why.
I am sorry to say that Global Community Radio is no longer a Pacifica Network affiliate. As such, GCR has lost its access to their excellent Audioport program exchange and service. This was a very difficult decision for me to make. It basically started with a misunderstanding and a disagreement between Pacifica and myself over GCR partner stations. To make a long story short, the disagreement stemmed from a discussion as to whether or not GCR's partner stations could and/or should be asked to pay for the programming which I voluntarily chose to supply to them which I was downloading from Audioport. In our back and forth discussions, I was told that whether or not my partner stations would be charged for access to this programming would be Pacifica Network's decision, not mine. It was at this point that I had to take a respectful but firm stance on behalf of all of you, my loyal and values partner stations. When I founded GCR nearly ten years ago, I made a promise to myself, and to all of you, that access to the service would always be 100% free of charge. I have done my best to absorb all of the operating expenses that come with operating the service, including purchasing subscriptions to some programming services, and not passing those costs on to all of you. It is my personal belief and conviction that I must keep that promise. Even if it means having to say goodbye to Pacifica, and losing access to its services. At the end of the day, we mutually decided that it was best for me to leave the fold, and to try to forge individual agreements with each producer whose program(s) I had been getting from Audioport. Needless to say, I have had an extremely busy Summer doing just that.
I am delighted to say that most of the producers and hosts have been very understanding. Some had alternative means of accessing their shows already set up for non-Pacifica stations. Others have gone out of their way to take on the burden of setting up special arrangements solely for GCR's benefit. Only a handful said "no" or have not yet responded to my inquiries.
So, many of the shows you have come to know and love from GCR remain in place. Some at new times. But some shows have had to be replaced with something different entirely. Please know that I am doing my best to seek out new, compelling programming for all three GCR streams. You have all always trusted my judgement, and I ask you to do the same through all of these changes.
While much of the new schedule has been set, there are still some slots, especially on 2 and 3, which are still in a state of flux. Again, I ask for your understanding and patience. Of course, if any of you have ideas for shows you would like to see offered on GCR, your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. I am taking new content from PRX, ABC Australia, and other independent community and public radio producers from far and wide.
I know that some of you are Pacifica affiliates on your own. I want you to please understand that I am not in any way trying to overlook all that this organization has done for community media for decades. For individual stations, I believe their services, especially Audioport, are outstanding, and I hope that you continue to have a relationship with the network for years to come, and I wish the staff there nothing but the very best. The way I see it, it's kind of like beng in a relationship with a partner or friend for a long time, but one day you two just had a disagreement which could not be reconciled. In the end, you both felt it was better to just say goodbye. Sadly, it happens that way sometimes. It's called life.
I will close this blog post by reaffirming my promise to you all. Access to Global Community Radio's audio streams will remain 100% free for all community and educational radio stations who rely on it for some, or even, all, of its programming. A huge thank you to all of you for all your support. GCR could not and would not exist without you.
Onward and upward!
Jason Longwell
GCR Station Manager
