Mission Statement
The Clark Fork River separates the main campus of the University of Montana from the city of Missoula. The river is both a literal and symbolic division between campus and town. Despite this natural and cultural barrier students and citizens make their way between the two thanks to a wooden footbridge. Our community forum will attempt to create a new kind of bridge, one not made of wood but of understanding and communication. Our footbridge will forge a path for which Missoula and the University of Montana can find common ground through deliberation.
By embracing the principles of KBGA, we will facilitate and capture public deliberation, while giving students the opportunity to produce a radio forum.KBGA is a unique college radio station serving Missoula, Montana. Student managers give Missoula an alternative to typical top 40 radio, by playing anything except what the competition broadcasts. This format has proved effective, as it has been voted best radio station in Missoula for the past four years. The student newscast was named best in the nation in 2002 by the Broadcast Education Association. Our radio forum will be the newest addition to KBGA, and we are excited to embrace their unique format and incorporate their listeners.
Our goal is to capture public deliberation over the airwaves. By pinpointing community issues, we hope to start communication between all stakeholders. We will be broadcasting this forum to a different type of audience and community. Not only do we hope to include the University of Montana community, but also the greater Missoula community. Historically, these two groups can seem very polarized, but still share common problems. Our radio forum will provide an atmosphere were all participants feel free to express their experiences and ideas. Through deliberation, we hope this radio forum may create a bridge between these two communities.
This radio forum will be produced and executed by students of the University of Montana. This forum creates a learning experience not only for the participants but also for students helping to realize our deliberative goal. Students will learn the logistics of putting a radio show on the air, how to build and work within a budget, and also work with a staff comprised of other students. Students will also begin to understand the concept and importance of public deliberation, ultimately creating more responsive and active citizens. These students will not work alone, however. A board of directors has been established and includes faculty and students. The board will be available to assist the forum staff when they require outside help.
By embracing the principles of KBGA, we will facilitate and capture public deliberation, while giving students the opportunity to produce a radio forum.KBGA is a unique college radio station serving Missoula, Montana. Student managers give Missoula an alternative to typical top 40 radio, by playing anything except what the competition broadcasts. This format has proved effective, as it has been voted best radio station in Missoula for the past four years. The student newscast was named best in the nation in 2002 by the Broadcast Education Association. Our radio forum will be the newest addition to KBGA, and we are excited to embrace their unique format and incorporate their listeners.
Our goal is to capture public deliberation over the airwaves. By pinpointing community issues, we hope to start communication between all stakeholders. We will be broadcasting this forum to a different type of audience and community. Not only do we hope to include the University of Montana community, but also the greater Missoula community. Historically, these two groups can seem very polarized, but still share common problems. Our radio forum will provide an atmosphere were all participants feel free to express their experiences and ideas. Through deliberation, we hope this radio forum may create a bridge between these two communities.
This radio forum will be produced and executed by students of the University of Montana. This forum creates a learning experience not only for the participants but also for students helping to realize our deliberative goal. Students will learn the logistics of putting a radio show on the air, how to build and work within a budget, and also work with a staff comprised of other students. Students will also begin to understand the concept and importance of public deliberation, ultimately creating more responsive and active citizens. These students will not work alone, however. A board of directors has been established and includes faculty and students. The board will be available to assist the forum staff when they require outside help.
