WTAG and Ice Storm

[Dan.Strassberg]

Which means props to Clear Channel. which as everybody here probably
knows, has taken it on the chin repeatedly for lapses in the past in
emergencies in other parts of the country. Now, does WTAG's
performance herald a new leaf? Or is the company trying to atone for
past problems elsewhere that it claims were incorrectly reported by
competing media and then became urban legends that refused to die? Or
is this the impact of the company's new private ownership, which had
the reputation of not caring about radio except for the $$$$ it could
bring in? Although nobody wishes for natural disasters, it is in
radio's finest tradition to really turn to when they occur. Let's hope
that WTAG's performance in this disaster is not simply an isolated
incident and that America's largest broadcasting company continues to
demonstrate that it understands the importance of public service in
regional and local disasters whenever and wherever they occur.

-----
Dan Strassberg (dan.strassberg@att.net)
eFax 1-707-215-6367

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Doherty" <dave@skywaves.net>
To: "'BostonRadio Mailing List'"
<boston-radio-interest@bostonradio.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 8:13 PM
Subject: WTAG and Ice Storm


> Hi, all-
>
> WTAG (580 Worcester) has been doing a fabulous job this weekend.
>
> They are live most of the day from their studio, which is on
> Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton, and has been barely accessible. They are
> airing whatever information comes in via cellphone and they have
> been announcing the phone number and encouraging text messaging to
> the number. They've been providing a steady hand, solid advice, and
> providing a lifeline to the communities hard hit by this disaster.
>
> This is local radio at its best in an emergency.
>
> "props" to WTAG and their staff!
>
> -Dave Doherty
> Skywaves Consulting LLC
>