Local Media Directory Updated on GRIID
Special thanks to Kate Wheeler for her help in updating the local media directory.
We just updated our Local Media Directory and we wanted our readers to know this. It had been outdated for a variety of reasons, but with all the new changes at the Grand Rapids Press/MLive we felt it was time to update the directory as best we could.
The directory is useful if you or your organization wants to get the word out about events, actions and campaigns you are working on, but it is also a tool to hold the local media accountable. This is particularly the case since all the local radio stations in West Michigan will be renewing their licenses with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this November (2012) and it provides the public with an opportunity to weigh in on whether or not those stations are truly serving the public interest.
All area TV stations will be renewing their license with the FCC in November of 2013 and it is never to early to challenge these stations on news content, particularly since this is a major election year. TV stations also have an obligation to air a minimum of 3 hours per week of Children’s Educational Programming. You can find out information about election ads, children’s programming, paid political ads and public service announcement requirements by visiting any station and asking to see their public file. They are obligated by the FCC to let anyone view those files. If you write a formal complaint and send it as an e-mail or regular mail those stations must put a copy in their public file so that the FCC knows how many complaints have been filed.
There is a good online resource for broadcast license renewal put together by The Prometheus Radio Project, which provides good tips for holding broadcasters accountable.
Addendum to directory: The Grand Rapids Press contacts have all been changed to @Mlive.com
Thanks, Carol Ann. We’ve been changing the e-mail addresses as we find them on the site. It would have been a lot easier if they’d gotten their ducks in a row, contact-wise, before making their announcement. Reporters’ e-mail addresses appear in some cases to be unchanged, and those who have been fired or have quit and are freelancing have no e-mails posted.
We’ll continue to make changes as necessary.
You should look in Thursday’s Grand Rapids Press as they published a complete list of all reporters who cover Grand Rapids and their email addresses.
Thanks very much, Togo. We selected the reporters we thought would be the most important contacts for people interested in news, politics, and local coverage here in Grand Rapids, along with the key management staff of the new organization. But we’ll check the list to see if there’s anyone we should add.