September General Orientation

Curious about KDRT, DCTV or DJUSD Channel 17, and want to learn how Davis Media Access can help you? Plan to attend one of our General Orientations!

Potential volunteers should attend an orientation, held monthly. They last about an hour and include the history of Davis Media Access, a tour of the facilities, and information on how to get involved. Anyone is welcome to attend an Orientation, but to use the facility for your own productions you have to live, go to school, or volunteer at an organization in Davis, California.  

DMA does not charge for the use of our equipment and facilities and attending a General Orientation is the first step for getting involved.

A Note From the Director

During my early years working in community media, the topic of hate speech arose frequently at conferences and on list serves.

The example that always surfaced was, “if the Ku Klux Klan comes to us and wants to air programming, do we have to air it?” Back then, and in a town like Davis, that seemed like a very remote possibility, and our discussions about it seemed academic. But in the context of American politics today, the question has surfaced anew on community media forums.

The answer then, and now, is yes. It’s neither an easy nor a comfortable answer. Talking about free speech is a slippery slope, especially when hypothetical scenarios meet grim reality, as they did in Charlottesville.

Centers such as Davis Media Access (DMA) are rooted in the tradition of public access channels, which are platforms for free expression and free speech. In conversation with perhaps 100 community members over the years who have complained about programming espousing a viewpoint they didn’t like, I’ve always said that free speech is a double-edged sword.  We may not like or appreciate every viewpoint aired on our channel, but as a colleague of mine says, ‘it’s above our pay grade to decide what is legal; that’s a decision for the courts.”

City Seeks Volunteers for Broadband Speed Tests & Cost Survey

The City of Davis, assisted by CCG Consulting, is studying the feasibility of developing a citywide fiber optic network and is asking residents and businesses to help by taking a broadband speed test and participating in a cost survey.

To take the Speed Test: use the link below. Be sure to use your home or business WiFi If using mobile phones/devices:  http://ccgcomm.com/davis.html

To participate in the Cost Survey: Block out any information that will identify you on a copy of a recent bill that includes broadband, and send it to CCG Consulting (CCG) via 2 options noted below.  It’s also okay if your bill includes multiple services. CCG will use bills only to gather broadband prices, taxes and fees.

    •    Scanning and emailing an electronic copy to data@ccgcomm.com

    •    Faxing a copy to (941) 209-5315

Summaries of survey results will be included in a Citywide Fiber Optic Network Feasibility Study Report available for public review.

Friday Nights with FDyC

DMA is partnering with FDyC to sponsor Teen Media Nights here at the media center, beginning April 21. Open to youth aged 12-19, these Friday-night sessions provide mentoring and instruction in video production, DJ’ing, music production, mixing and scratching, and more.

In 2014 Frankie Woods founded a youth program in Davis, California called FDYC (Future Development Youth Center) to mentor under-served youth in the community that needed guidance, direction, focus and purpose. With Frankie's twenty-year background in music production, DJing and videography, and a passion for mentoring youth, he took it upon himself to marry his experience with his desire to give back, and thus the FDYC program was born. Frankie is also a part-time DMA production staffer, and this partnership developed out of our shared commitment to youth media. Email fdyc.org@gmail.com for info and to register.

Find Live DiRT at the Davis Music Festival

KDRT 95.7 FM teams up with the Davis Music Festival this weekend to present the next edition of Live DiRT. Live DiRT is a live-music feature of KDRT radio – sometimes happening in local venues and sometimes live in the KDRT or DCTV studios. Live DiRT has no fixed schedule, popping up whenever musical artists can merge their touring schedule with KDRT programming.

KDRT will broadcast live during all three days of DMF as follows:

  •     Friday, June 16 from Sudwerk Brewing Company Dock Store beginning at 5 p.m.
  •     Saturday, June 17 from Armadillo Music beginning at 3:45 p.m.
  •     Sunday, June 18 from Woodstock’s Pizza beginning at 12:45 p.m.

Join KDRT broadcasters for the live-music action at these venues, or tune in live to KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis worldwide. In addition to the musical artists performing at those venues, KDRT DJs and DCTV camera crew will be roving the streets of downtown Davis on Saturday, collecting interviews, sounds and samples from other Davis Music Fest venues, and sharing them over the air and via social media.

Down to the Wire: KDRT Needs Your Support!

Twenty years of writing about media consolidation has taught me to never take something you value for granted. Even community institutions can disappear if they are not adequately supported.

I do feel like a broken record right now, but I never shy at putting it all on the line for Davis Media Access (DMA).  As of this writing, we are two weeks away from our fiscal year end, and still $3,000 away from our fund raising goal. We usually hit this funding goal, but it’s been a struggle this year, and I’m scratching my head a bit.

Like many non-profits, Davis Media Access has varied funding streams. We have service contracts, grants, and underwriting; we offer workshops and paid production services, and we fund raise. Our annual spring funding appeal supports KDRT and our youth media programs. We offer much gratitude to all those who have generously contributed, and you can see that list here.

KDRT offers a wide range of music and pubic affairs, broadcast training, volunteer opportunities, and carefully curated syndicated shows. It takes just under $25,000 each year to pay the licenses, fees and bills that help KDRT’s all-volunteer programming staff bring you their best work. The balance of our fund raising supports a little of our staff time to mentor youth through our various programs.

I believe that KDRT builds community connections, and I also believe in my heart we’ll make our goal. But right now we need to hear from you that the work DMA does is at least as important as a cup of coffee, a lunch, a dinner…. We can’t do this without you!  Please donate today.

Da Vinci Students Explore Radiolab-Style Production

At Da Vinci Charter High School in Davis, CA, Scott Stephen Bell's 10th-grade students were asked to create a Radiolab-style podcast suitable for radio replay, as part of their study of WWII. They were asked to incorporate the following questions into their project: what is the cost of war?  How can a radio documentary covering the major people, events, and concepts of World War II provide perspective on issues that the world faces today? And, are you able to relate to the listener and explain why this topic is important and how it impacts our world today?

The students' finished documentaries were reviewed first by their peers, and then by a panel of KDRT programmers and Davis Media Access staff. Programs were ranked in order and the top five segments are being aired on local radio station KDRT 95.7 FM and worldwide at kdrt.org. Air dates and times are May 28 at 2pm, May 29 at 8am and May 30 at 4pm. DMA and KDRT are pleased to partner with Da Vinci teachers and students in the exploration of making history come alive via the medium of radio.

Upcoming Events and Workshops

Attend a General Orientation

Looking for something to do this summer? Come learn about community media and get involved. The first step is easy. Just come to orientation Wednesday, June 14 at 6:30 pm

Friday Nights with FDyC at DMA

DMA is partnering with FDyC to sponsor Teen Media Nights here at the media center, beginning April 21. Open to youth aged 12-19, these Friday-night sessions provide mentoring and instruction in video production, DJ’ing, music production, mixing and scratching, and more.

In 2014 Frankie Woods founded a youth program in Davis, California called FDYC (Future Development Youth Center) to mentor under-served youth in the community that needed guidance, direction, focus and purpose. With Frankie's twenty-year background in music production, DJing and videography, and a passion for mentoring youth, he took it upon himself to marry his experience with his desire to give back, and thus the FDYC program was born. Frankie is also a part-time DMA production staffer, and this partnership developed out of our shared commitment to youth media. Email fdyc.org@gmail.com for info and to register.

C’mon Baby, Do the Localism with Me ... Or, Why Community Media is So Danged Important

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I know the news is crazy—and who can keep up? — but I share this tidbit with you to underscore why locally originated and operated media is so incredibly important.

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formally released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to eliminate the Main Studio Rule. The rule requires each AM, FM and television broadcast station to have a main studio in or near its local community. The notice proposes to eliminate the requirement that the main studio have full-time management and staff present during normal business hours, and the requirement that it be able to originate programming. This is part of a suite of proposed rulemaking by FCC Chair Ajit Pai designed to make life easier for big corporate telecom companies.

Simply put, in a media landscape that is already automated and homogenized, this ruling further releases commercial broadcasters from any public interest obligations in the communities they “serve.” Everything will be done online. If your community has an emergency, good luck getting information through these outlets.

Please, just for a moment, contrast this scenario with what happens all year long at KDRT. Part of a busy and vibrant community media center, KDRT boasts programmers of all ages, playing what they want; highlights local voices, nonprofits and events; and helps local musicians develop audience. KDRT’s volunteers participate in this community, from annual events such as Celebrate Davis, Street Food Rodeo, and Davis Music Festival, to ongoing commitments like Thursday Live! at Davis Odd Fellows, and Second Friday Art Abouts  at Armadillo Music.

Now is the time: KDRT is at risk

I’m proud that we manage KDRT on about $25,000 per year. Most of KDRT’s capital is in its awesome volunteers, which lets us run on this tiny budget. DMA provides a lot of administrative support and a home for the radio station, but its expenses are real: licensing agreements, streaming fees, insurance, rent, utilities.

Here’s the reality: right now, KDRT is at risk. We've been fund raising since March, we are very grateful to our donors this year, AND we still need to raise $6,000 more to meet our $25k goal before June 30. It's hard going this year, but one look at the news I’ve shared underscores the importance of keeping our local institutions strong. And this fund raising is the difference between our community having these services, and not having them. Every year, it's that simple.

For everyone who has ever told me they love Davis Media Access and KDRT 95.7FM now's the time to add your voice in support of solid, vibrant community media, featuring diverse voices in Davis and beyond. $5 or $50 or $500, it matters not, but please add your name to the list of folks who stand on the side of local media, free from corporate interests. We can’t do this work without you.

Yours in community,

Autumn Labbe-Renault

Executive Director

PS: Mina Alali is a former KDRT DJ. We congratulate her on her success!