IPR had their fundraising about two weeks ago

[rurallib]

I am very curious how the Iowa DU group views IPR.
IPR (or NPR nationally) is always thrown up as 'liberal radio' by the RW media that totally dominates the current landscape of media.
If I haven't mentioned it here before I am very critical of NPR generally and IPR in particular. Probably because of the brilliance that both showed in previous lives compared to what they are now. In previous lives NPR did actual news shows where topics were examined in depth and stories went where the facts led them. Since the Republican takeover of congress in 1995 and especially since 2003, NPR has been afraid to do real stories. There are the occasional exceptions, but the usual modus is to stop short of going against those in power. Interviewees, especially from RW think tanks, are introduced with no mention of the think tanks political bent. NPR often uses people from AEI, the Manhattan Institute or the Heritage Foundation as though they were 'neutral' observers.
On the local front, with the consolidation to IPR diversity among what used to be the alternative to the RW blast that comes from ClearChannel and Cumulus is now down to one voice. And that voice does it's very best to be non-controversial. No more turning to KUNI when WSUI is playing a show I don't care for or cathching some GOOD farm radio on WOI. Now they are all the same. The weather reports are just plain comical (highs ranging from 50 to 85 today for example.
One thing that is seldom spoken of is NPR's efforts in thwarting competition created by the low power FMs and now the new non-commercial education band stations. They have a near monopoly on 'liberal' radio and want to keep it that way. Sure helps when selling that 'non-commercial' time.

Sorry I just had to vent. When I get in my car and my choices are 'Talk of the Nation', Limbaugh, Hannity, music or Christian radio I just about cry. There are hundreds of radio stations in Iowa and our choices are so few for over the air radio.

[progressoid]

1. I drifted away from NPR in the late 90's

Mostly for the reasons you listed. But I have been slowly returning to it. Sadly, even in it's watered-down state, it's about the only game in town around here.

Some of the non-news shows are blatantly liberal (which reflects the nature of the arts and entertainers).
I always thought the news to be quite fair. Now it's just feeble.

[youthere]

2. I listen to NPR a lot...but only because it's better than listening to

the RW bloviators or the religious zealots. I do enjoy "All things considered" and some of the essays and artists they feature. You have to admit, "Prairie Home Companion" is worth listening to. The national programming they do is the best, but IPR, and radio in Iowa period, is a sad state. There's no variety...unless you consider Rush being available on three stations variety. Cultists and Conservatives...that's all we have to offer. Pretty depressing.

[HuskiesHowls]

3. I have to say "Congratulations, IPR. You have succeeded...

where my kids have failed over lo these many years: getting me to quit listening to WOI all the time.

They've taken what used to be a good station, and totally screwed it up. Now I can listen to dead air on WOI-FM in the afternoons. Instead of folksy introductions to good classical music (example: Mozart wrote some good fiddle music) its now a 15 minute doctoral dissertation on the thematic qualities of said music. Or worse, its some neoclassical composer that I've never heard of, and wouldn't listen to if I had!! And The Book Club, what has happened to it??? There are MANY books that I've bought because I only heard part of them on that show. FYI, here's what happened: "The Book Club began in 1927 and ended it's run in 2006." http://www.woi.org/aboutus.html
They were doing a lot with jazz...such as Third Thursday Jazz, live in the studio. What's happened with that? Probably the same thing. I don't care that much for jazz, but I was starting to appreciate it more all the time.

They're doing the same thing with public radio in this state as they did with WOI-TV. IPTV came in, and took over the educational part of it. Then, less than 30 years later, one of the better assets of this state, one that had NEVER cost the taxpayers a cent, was sold for less than market value.

I was a loyal listener and supporter. No longer, not the way its going. Now its KIOA some of the time, CD's part of the time, and lot of no radio on at all. Iowa used to have a decent music selection...no longer, or maybe its me who's changing and just getting pickier. At least they've kept Bob Dorr on KUNI, and part of the time I can get it here at home.

I've wanted to vent about this for a while, too...you just beat me to it!!

[justgamma]

4. I finally had to get XM.

I'm on the road almost 2 hours a day. I finally got so frustrated with one of the local wingnuts, that I made a u-turn one day and drove the 7 miles back to town and bought one. I love it! Finally a choice. I laughed when they first talked about pay radio, I never thought I'd actually have to pay to hear radio.

My problem with it is that I love a variety of music, but for some reason, I can't seem to turn off Air America.

[rurallib]

6. I am so tempted to get pay radio

It just goes against my grain that the 'marketplace' doesn't work. I don't care if Limbaugh is on the radio. I do care if he is my only choice. Or for that matter if IPR is my only so-called 'community radio' choice.
Community radio may be coming to a station near you in the next couple years. I will be keeping this forum advised of progress. But remember folks you will need to support it with money and time.

[petersjo02]

5. I quit listening to both (IPR and NPR)

in the late 90s. What had been a revelation to me and a joy to listen to leaned further and further right, so I turned it off to stop the steam coming from my ears. I've been angry ever since that something that was so good has been effectively "neutered."