Broadcast expert visits KPVL

Community radio stations are operated, owned, and influenced by the communities they serve and often carry music and other kinds of programming that is overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters.
 
KPVL 89.1FM is the community radio station serving Northeast Iowa.  This week the organization has been hosting a visit by National Federation of Community Broadcasters Vice President Ginny Berson.  She is meeting with radio station employees and volunteer board members to give KPVL advice on its operations.
 
Berson tells decorahnews.com that community radio stations across the country are "a very mixed bag," with some radio stations that are popular and financially strong, meanwhile other community radio stations struggle.  She says a good community radio station is engaged with the community it serves and is constantly having conversations with community members.  "When stations are doing those things…you're in good shape," she says.
 
But most community radio stations struggle to bring in money.  They ask listeners to make contributions and they sell advertising in the form of program underwriting.  Community radio stations also accept federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  Berson says the U.S. House of Representatives has again passed a bill cancelling funding for CPB, however.  Last year the U.S. Senate blocked the House legislation, but Berson says this year's outcome will depend on the outcome of this year's elections—both local and national.  "We're in a time of uncertainty," she concludes.