Something of brouhaha has developed in Atlanta concerning the deal between Georgia State University and Georgia Public Broadcasting. The agreement was to hand over daylight-hour broadcasting of the school’s powerful WRAS(FM) Atlanta metro area signal to GPB and sideline the student-run operation and programming during the daylight hours.
The station’s student management says it knew nothing of the agreement until it was announced. They are not exactly leaping into the arms of the public broadcaster.
Now, College Broadcasters, Inc., a group that supports educational institution broadcasting has stepped in with support of the WRAS students, who are protesting the deal. CBI’s response can be read here.
Radio Survivor’s college radio hound Jennifer Waits has information on the students’ efforts here.
For its part, GPB issued this press release at the first announcement. It has been close-lipped since. In the release GPB says, surprisingly, this move finally gives it access to the Atlanta market. It also indicates that it will provide some cooperation with the students on select projects and will air PSAs promoting the university during the 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours when GPB controls the air.
GSU’s student newspaper gave the deal a thumb’s down and had some monetary details about the deal. It can be read here.
Georgia State U.’s President Dr. Mark P. Becker called it a “win-win.” Apparently there are those who disagree.
