Say it Again: Community Media is About Community

Victims of disasters often turn to social media for updates and comfort, but what happens when Internet service is interrupted (or in poor and rural communities, where it’s inaccessible to start with)? And while those fleeing may have lost access to computers, tablets or phones, one medium that tends to stay available is terrestrial radio.

In my newspaper column published August 27th in the Davis Enterprise, I referenced the important role of local media outlets in communities when disaster strikes. Since then, two more stories have come to my attention. Over Memorial Day weekend, Wimberley, a small community located in the hill country of central Texas, was the epicenter of a record-setting flood. Homes and people were literally swept away with the floodwaters.

November Orientation Offered

Davis Media Access (DMA) offers a free orientation to its programs and services each month. This next general orientation will take place Wed., Nov. 4 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the media center, 1623 Fifth Street in Davis. DMA Studio Manager Diane Dedoshka will teach the orientation. Topics covered will include: 

 an overview of DMA’s services; information about internships, and training and volunteer opportunities available through DMA.

Vault Highlights Poe from 1989

Seasonally dark and atmospheric, the latest episode of “Davis Media Access: From the Vault” features “Lady Madeline,” a short experimental dramatization of Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.

Yolanda Torres, a staff member at DMA’s precursor, DCTV, produced the video in 1989. It features the acting talents of Ernest Davis, Jr., and photography by Robert Schultz and Janis Takamoto.

Two Ways to Support DMA

While our annual funding appeal happens in the spring, we accept donations year round. One particularly effective and easy way is to support KDRT through car donations. The Center for Car Donations processes donations of used vehicles (running or not) with proceeds benefiting KDRT. If you'd like more information, please visit here, and be sure to designate KDRT as the beneficiary.

Another is to make a donation of any size, at any point during the year. Your contribution is much bigger than just a donation – it’s a statement that independent outlets for community voices matter. Thank you for considering DMA among your year-end giving.

Note From the Director

It’s mid-July, and on this particular day, the peasants pushed past the guards to commandeer my office. I’d be more alarmed, but the peasants are all short, around 10 years old, and remarkably good–natured. Welcome to the third of four summer youth camps at Davis Media Access (DMA). As far as I can tell, their collaborative production this week centers loosely on Shakespeare and carries an anti-bullying theme.

We Did It! Gratitude to Our Supporters

Thanks to YOU, our community of supporters, Davis Media Access (DMA) met its annual fundraising goal of $25,000 by June 30. This money provides most of the operational funds to keep KDRT 95.7 FM on the air, and also supports staff time for some of our key projects, including youth media projects and local election coverage. With a lot of non-profits doing great work locally, strong donor support is validation for all the work we do in the community, and we thank each and every one of you! See our complete donor list.

Looking for a Few Good Interns

Davis Media Access is expanding its internships opportunities for the Fall quarter.  DMA's interships offer opportunities in all areas of Radio and Television production, from behind the camera to in front of the microphone.

KDRT, our low-power community radio station, is looking for some interns eager to gain experience in the following areas: Publicity and Social Media; Music Acquisitions and Curation; and Audio Production. Find out more.

For video production internships this fall. Interns get trained and develop hands-on experience in location-based video shoots.  We are also looking for interns to help with our video archive of over 10,000 locally produced programs.

From the Mailbag

Lynne Nittler, Interfaith Climate Conference Chair, writes ...

I've had time to listen to all the edited videos from March 6 & 7 and post the links in a blog on our website.  The ones of Kathleen Dean Moore and the panel are terrific.  I see why it really is so worthwhile to have professionals doing a video.  Thank you so much.  I'm hoping that many more individuals will get to hear the speakers now.  It's so heartening when non-profits reach out to help one another as they can, and in this case the tapes will allow us to extend the reach of the conference into our faith communities and beyond.  Many individuals were touched by the keynote addresses and the panel, and you have provided us with the means to carry that dialogue out into the community. Thank you for your fine work!