Why I blog . . .
8th June 2007
Thirty-eight years ago I began a life-long career in public radio and television. I’d already worked four-years in commercial radio – when broadcasting was a cash machine with a social conscience. That’s all changed – and now broadcasters, commercial networks, cable and satellite television services give us more of less at higher and higher costs.
Today, I continue to share my passion for and capabilities to strengthen public broadcasting / public media as a consultant. So, it’s not surprising that in writing a blog that I would focus on you, your neighbors, and others’ interests and relationships with their media – from those with the three original commercial television networks to the intimate relationships between iPods and their owners.
I’m not timid. You can count on me to highlight the unique differences between those who simply seek to profit at your expense and those who seek to serve – including the differences between nonprofit, community-owned and operated public radio and television stations and for-profit commercial enterprise.
This is not to say the public media always gets it right. It doesn’t. At times, it doesn’t think big enough or partner well enough. But the public media’s mission and motives are to serve you and your community.
Blogging reflects my life. I reach out, seeking to communicate, to be authentic and clear, to stimulate debate, to kick-start minds, to create and develop a relationships with you – and with others who share – but don’t always agree upon – interests, passions, and dreams. Like most, I seek to have a positive impact beyond myself.
Like the best of relationships, this blog must do more than inform or even entertain. It must be grounded in naïve listening. That means listening to the public at large and, equally important, to your reactions, thoughts, criticisms and suggested improvements. As I am too often reluctant to share my “two cents” with the authors of other blogs, I’ll constantly be encouraging you to do so via the e-mail “contact me” link above.
– Michael B. Soper