[EAS] WEA used in NYC bombings

[Adrienne Abbott]

Don't be so quick to write off radio. Radio stations are still a valid source of news. They have web sites, Social Media and breaking news apps. You can't watch TV or your cell phone while you're driving down the highway. That will get you a ticket in some states. And there  are music stations with dedicated live staff who do news and information as needed. Even some automated station operators care enough about their communities that they have the ability to break into programming with live or recorded updates. Not every station fits into this category but there are more of them than you might think. 

The biggest problem these stations face is the lack of respect they get from law enforcement, public safety and emergency management officials who don't view these stations as "legitimate" purveyors of news and emergency information. These stations get left off email lists, don't warrant return phone calls and don't get invited to news conferences. They have to fight for every scrap of information they get but in some cases the morning goofballs know more about their communities than than the  new in town star-baby TV reporters who can't properly pronounce street names and try to explain the intricacies of explosives based on the little bit of knowledge they gleaned from the chemistry class they failed in high school. But they come with bright lights and shiny cameras and the people who can really inform the public are ignored. 

Adrienne

> On Sep 20, 2016, at 3:31 PM, Robertm <bcstlists at icloud.com> wrote:
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> Richard rightly points out that stations need to decide what their mission is. If it is all music, then do minimal EAS requirements.

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