As funding for CPB/NPR is under threat, our local advocacy/station services provider organization, Coast Alaska is preparing examples of how public stations in the 49th state have served our communities with specific examples so executive director Mollie Kabler can share these with our leaders in DC, this is what I wrote up for her
"KSKO learned early Friday Feb 7th that a former long time McGrath resident was one of the passengers on a plane that had gone missing over the vast, unforgiving expanse of Norton Sound near the Bering Sea. Almost immediately upon learning this and getting permission from the family, we shared it on social media and on the air. We provided updates through out the day on air and on Facebook thanks to the Nome Volunteer Fire Department and the US Coast Guard Alaska. As things began to progress and discoveries were made, we reported on only VERIFIED information from VERIFIED sources, not falling victim to unofficial sources on Facebook. When bodies began to be recovered, we waited for official word and encouraged privacy for the families along with discouraging assumptions or discussions of the cause.
Over the weekend of February 8th and 9th, we learned a 6 year old boy was found dead, and the mother admitted to causing the injuries that led to his death. THis occured in Fairbanks 250 miles away but the boy, his Mom and his dad lived in McGrath. The dead still does. This young boy had attended pre school out here and school staff who taught him along with medical staff who took care of the family for regular check ups are shaken by this
KSKO's sole full time staff and only management employee Paul walker reached out to our local non profit health service provider, South Central Foundation on Sunday afternoon to get in touch with the rural behaviroal health department to get permission to interview one of their clinicians. And within 2 hours of that email, Dani Gapisnki was approved to speak with Paul live on air which will happen Monday the 10th at 1245pm.
KSKO can react like this because part of our ability/success/continued operation is built on understanding the community, reacting to immediate short time critical incidents, long term needs and adjusting our approach and bringing in resources on the radio and social media to meet those needs
Alaska is the biggest little state and people outside of our home community of McGrath will be affected by this. Even though the people involved were mostly McGrath residents, they had ties to other villages for various reasons. There is no other source of fact based, trustworthy, consistent information that can unique, connect and comfort our communities like KSKO Radio can.
The internet is full of rumors, unverified information and random people who may not understand the community or have their best interests at heart. Anchorage media wouldnt have the time, ability or resources to cover these events at great length or react on the personal level KSKO can. If KSKO were just a pass through for national or statewide programming, these two situations would likely get ignored, to the great detriment of our communities.
"KSKO learned early Friday Feb 7th that a former long time McGrath resident was one of the passengers on a plane that had gone missing over the vast, unforgiving expanse of Norton Sound near the Bering Sea. Almost immediately upon learning this and getting permission from the family, we shared it on social media and on the air. We provided updates through out the day on air and on Facebook thanks to the Nome Volunteer Fire Department and the US Coast Guard Alaska. As things began to progress and discoveries were made, we reported on only VERIFIED information from VERIFIED sources, not falling victim to unofficial sources on Facebook. When bodies began to be recovered, we waited for official word and encouraged privacy for the families along with discouraging assumptions or discussions of the cause.
Over the weekend of February 8th and 9th, we learned a 6 year old boy was found dead, and the mother admitted to causing the injuries that led to his death. THis occured in Fairbanks 250 miles away but the boy, his Mom and his dad lived in McGrath. The dead still does. This young boy had attended pre school out here and school staff who taught him along with medical staff who took care of the family for regular check ups are shaken by this
KSKO's sole full time staff and only management employee Paul walker reached out to our local non profit health service provider, South Central Foundation on Sunday afternoon to get in touch with the rural behaviroal health department to get permission to interview one of their clinicians. And within 2 hours of that email, Dani Gapisnki was approved to speak with Paul live on air which will happen Monday the 10th at 1245pm.
KSKO can react like this because part of our ability/success/continued operation is built on understanding the community, reacting to immediate short time critical incidents, long term needs and adjusting our approach and bringing in resources on the radio and social media to meet those needs
Alaska is the biggest little state and people outside of our home community of McGrath will be affected by this. Even though the people involved were mostly McGrath residents, they had ties to other villages for various reasons. There is no other source of fact based, trustworthy, consistent information that can unique, connect and comfort our communities like KSKO Radio can.
The internet is full of rumors, unverified information and random people who may not understand the community or have their best interests at heart. Anchorage media wouldnt have the time, ability or resources to cover these events at great length or react on the personal level KSKO can. If KSKO were just a pass through for national or statewide programming, these two situations would likely get ignored, to the great detriment of our communities.
