WAMU going under?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped listening long ago when they couldn't ease up on their "angle"

I love WAMU local news coverage, politics hour, etc. but the agenda that the replacements for Kojo and Diane Rehm had was just too much. Everything had to talk about trans or race or social justice. I’m fine with insightful discussions of those topics, even if I disagree with the views discussed - but it was constant and to the exclusion of other interesting topics that used to only be covered (well) by WAMU and then didn’t get covered at all.

Exactly. “The Takeaway” that replaced Kojo was what did it for me. All about race all the time.

Wait, is there really no daily local politics show?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of changes over the years/decades, from broadcasters to topics. Agree there seems to be a lot more lgbtq+ items covered, and that's not my cup of tea, but everyone should see themselves in the coverage, right? I could live with it. But Ayesha Rascoe finally did me in (had to look up how to spell her name). Every time she says "git" instead of "get," "wif" instead of "with," etc. When I heard her on the air, I turned WAMU off.

Now I listen to podcasts in the car, instead of the radio

long time WAMU supporter, now a former WAMU supporter

I'm going to disagree with you there - I like Ayesha Rascoe a lot. (She's NPR, not specific to WAMU.) I think she was a good WH reporter and I like her as a host now, too. I always enjoy when she shows up on Pop Culture Happy Hour, as well.

I’d like to hear her actually reporting. Don’t really care about the accent (which she appears to have modified recently.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll shed no tears over the shut down of DCist.

I only sporadically looked at it in its hipster days, but I gave it more attention when I saw that WAMU took it over. That was a mistake. Whatever coverage there was of local events, it always seemed to be about some random person who just always happened to be oppressed and a person of color. I would have turned away sooner, but the comments were always more informative than the actual "articles," even if layered in sarcasm and gifs. I'm looking at you Monkeyerotica. Then they took the comments away and I never went back.

I guess they assumed the Zenials that they were targeting would carry through the digital mire. They were wrong.

40-65 year olds listen to radio, not 20-38 year olds. Dial it back to things were done 10+ years ago, when NPR was lightly liberal instead of meandering like a bizarro fox and you might be able to straighten your ship.

That they chose not to is almost unfathomable, but it reminds me of the DC Council. Alienate, then when the fiscal cliff is in sight, don't go back to what has worked just a few years ago, double down! Go right over!

When ideology trumps survival it is insane.

I used to listen a lot, even gave money and donated an old car. Then it became unlistenable, it felt like being harangued about the same few issues over and over again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped listening long ago when they couldn't ease up on their "angle"

I love WAMU local news coverage, politics hour, etc. but the agenda that the replacements for Kojo and Diane Rehm had was just too much. Everything had to talk about trans or race or social justice. I’m fine with insightful discussions of those topics, even if I disagree with the views discussed - but it was constant and to the exclusion of other interesting topics that used to only be covered (well) by WAMU and then didn’t get covered at all.

Exactly. “The Takeaway” that replaced Kojo was what did it for me. All about race all the time.

Wait, is there really no daily local politics show?

There hasn’t been one for a few years, since Kojo scaled back to just Fridays. They announced yesterday that they are developing a new one.

I’m shocked at all of these posters who think WAMU is a DEI/culture war fest 24/7. I listen all day, every weekday and while that’s a good chunk of their programming, it’s also huge national news! It’s one of the most important parts of the GOP’s platform, and part of a larger conversation happening in statehouses and school board meetings across the country. Do you expect them to just ignore it because you don’t like hearing about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of changes over the years/decades, from broadcasters to topics. Agree there seems to be a lot more lgbtq+ items covered, and that's not my cup of tea, but everyone should see themselves in the coverage, right? I could live with it. But Ayesha Rascoe finally did me in (had to look up how to spell her name). Every time she says "git" instead of "get," "wif" instead of "with," etc. When I heard her on the air, I turned WAMU off.

Now I listen to podcasts in the car, instead of the radio

long time WAMU supporter, now a former WAMU supporter

I cannot support that change either. The former host of that show did a much better job. This one is somehow just not up to the task. She seems likable but not at all knowledgeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of changes over the years/decades, from broadcasters to topics. Agree there seems to be a lot more lgbtq+ items covered, and that's not my cup of tea, but everyone should see themselves in the coverage, right? I could live with it. But Ayesha Rascoe finally did me in (had to look up how to spell her name). Every time she says "git" instead of "get," "wif" instead of "with," etc. When I heard her on the air, I turned WAMU off.

Now I listen to podcasts in the car, instead of the radio

long time WAMU supporter, now a former WAMU supporter

I'm going to disagree with you there - I like Ayesha Rascoe a lot. (She's NPR, not specific to WAMU.) I think she was a good WH reporter and I like her as a host now, too. I always enjoy when she shows up on Pop Culture Happy Hour, as well.

I’d like to hear her actually reporting. Don’t really care about the accent (which she appears to have modified recently.)

She used to be on the NPR Politics podcast a lot, and I always enjoyed her there. I didn't find her voice distracting at all - I also liked that there was someone who sounded like her talking about national politics, not just about Black issues. It's nice when a minority reporter can be a reporter - I think. (I'm probably not expressing this right.) I just think she's good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped listening long ago when they couldn't ease up on their "angle"

I love WAMU local news coverage, politics hour, etc. but the agenda that the replacements for Kojo and Diane Rehm had was just too much. Everything had to talk about trans or race or social justice. I’m fine with insightful discussions of those topics, even if I disagree with the views discussed - but it was constant and to the exclusion of other interesting topics that used to only be covered (well) by WAMU and then didn’t get covered at all.

Exactly. “The Takeaway” that replaced Kojo was what did it for me. All about race all the time.

Wait, is there really no daily local politics show?

There hasn’t been one for a few years, since Kojo scaled back to just Fridays. They announced yesterday that they are developing a new one.

I’m shocked at all of these posters who think WAMU is a DEI/culture war fest 24/7. I listen all day, every weekday and while that’s a good chunk of their programming, it’s also huge national news! It’s one of the most important parts of the GOP’s platform, and part of a larger conversation happening in statehouses and school board meetings across the country. Do you expect them to just ignore it because you don’t like hearing about it?

No one has said they are against DEI. But I disagree that it’s hard news and should trump every thing else. DEI shouldn’t get more coverage than wars.

I like balanced news and WAMU was so far left it basically was in its own category.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll shed no tears over the shut down of DCist.

I only sporadically looked at it in its hipster days, but I gave it more attention when I saw that WAMU took it over. That was a mistake. Whatever coverage there was of local events, it always seemed to be about some random person who just always happened to be oppressed and a person of color. I would have turned away sooner, but the comments were always more informative than the actual "articles," even if layered in sarcasm and gifs. I'm looking at you Monkeyerotica. Then they took the comments away and I never went back.

I guess they assumed the Zenials that they were targeting would carry through the digital mire. They were wrong.

40-65 year olds listen to radio, not 20-38 year olds. Dial it back to things were done 10+ years ago, when NPR was lightly liberal instead of meandering like a bizarro fox and you might be able to straighten your ship.

That they chose not to is almost unfathomable, but it reminds me of the DC Council. Alienate, then when the fiscal cliff is in sight, don't go back to what has worked just a few years ago, double down! Go right over!

When ideology trumps survival it is insane.

I used to listen a lot, even gave money and donated an old car. Then it became unlistenable, it felt like being harangued about the same few issues over and over again.

Not just harangued but actively lied to. I'll never send them another cent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of changes over the years/decades, from broadcasters to topics. Agree there seems to be a lot more lgbtq+ items covered, and that's not my cup of tea, but everyone should see themselves in the coverage, right? I could live with it. But Ayesha Rascoe finally did me in (had to look up how to spell her name). Every time she says "git" instead of "get," "wif" instead of "with," etc. When I heard her on the air, I turned WAMU off.

Now I listen to podcasts in the car, instead of the radio

long time WAMU supporter, now a former WAMU supporter

I once listened to an extended story intro by Ayeeeeesha RAAAAsco that seemed to be about mining for “ore.” I was confused that she didn’t specify what kind of ore. It was only until another reporter came on that I realized the story was about OIL. But Ms. Rascoe could not make the “il” sound. When your diction creates inaccuracy and confusion, it’s crossed a line into being unacceptable.

That sums up the new public radio and WAMU especially. The news is a distant second to the priorities of viz/black girl magic/#ownvoices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of changes over the years/decades, from broadcasters to topics. Agree there seems to be a lot more lgbtq+ items covered, and that's not my cup of tea, but everyone should see themselves in the coverage, right? I could live with it. But Ayesha Rascoe finally did me in (had to look up how to spell her name). Every time she says "git" instead of "get," "wif" instead of "with," etc. When I heard her on the air, I turned WAMU off.

Now I listen to podcasts in the car, instead of the radio

long time WAMU supporter, now a former WAMU supporter

I once listened to an extended story intro by Ayeeeeesha RAAAAsco that seemed to be about mining for “ore.” I was confused that she didn’t specify what kind of ore. It was only until another reporter came on that I realized the story was about OIL. But Ms. Rascoe could not make the “il” sound. When your diction creates inaccuracy and confusion, it’s crossed a line into being unacceptable.

That sums up the new public radio and WAMU especially. The news is a distant second to the priorities of viz/black girl magic/#ownvoices.

Are you seriously making fun of how someone says their own name?

[Anonymous]

WAMU is a parody of the dumbest progressive blather. It could be its own SNL skit if distilled down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped listening long ago when they couldn't ease up on their "angle"

I love WAMU local news coverage, politics hour, etc. but the agenda that the replacements for Kojo and Diane Rehm had was just too much. Everything had to talk about trans or race or social justice. I’m fine with insightful discussions of those topics, even if I disagree with the views discussed - but it was constant and to the exclusion of other interesting topics that used to only be covered (well) by WAMU and then didn’t get covered at all.

Exactly. “The Takeaway” that replaced Kojo was what did it for me. All about race all the time.

Wait, is there really no daily local politics show?

There hasn’t been one for a few years, since Kojo scaled back to just Fridays. They announced yesterday that they are developing a new one.

I’m shocked at all of these posters who think WAMU is a DEI/culture war fest 24/7. I listen all day, every weekday and while that’s a good chunk of their programming, it’s also huge national news! It’s one of the most important parts of the GOP’s platform, and part of a larger conversation happening in statehouses and school board meetings across the country. Do you expect them to just ignore it because you don’t like hearing about it?

No one has said they are against DEI. But I disagree that it’s hard news and should trump every thing else. DEI shouldn’t get more coverage than wars.

I like balanced news and WAMU was so far left it basically was in its own category.

I am against DEI. It is tearing what should be the seamless robe of the body politic, and resulting in a terrible reaction. We are all the poorer for the relentless focus on it rather than on equality of opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of changes over the years/decades, from broadcasters to topics. Agree there seems to be a lot more lgbtq+ items covered, and that's not my cup of tea, but everyone should see themselves in the coverage, right? I could live with it. But Ayesha Rascoe finally did me in (had to look up how to spell her name). Every time she says "git" instead of "get," "wif" instead of "with," etc. When I heard her on the air, I turned WAMU off.

Now I listen to podcasts in the car, instead of the radio

long time WAMU supporter, now a former WAMU supporter

I once listened to an extended story intro by Ayeeeeesha RAAAAsco that seemed to be about mining for “ore.” I was confused that she didn’t specify what kind of ore. It was only until another reporter came on that I realized the story was about OIL. But Ms. Rascoe could not make the “il” sound. When your diction creates inaccuracy and confusion, it’s crossed a line into being unacceptable.

That sums up the new public radio and WAMU especially. The news is a distant second to the priorities of viz/black girl magic/#ownvoices.

That's really a horrible post, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a game now where I turn the car radio to 88.5 and see how long it takes for race, gender, or trans issues to come up (always in an in-your-face, non-nuanced way). It's usually less than a minute. It's very clear that the agenda simply became DEI stuff all the time about 5 years ago. We used to give money, listen avidly, etc. It's not not listenable anymore. They obviously just ignored the disappearing audience and chose to ride this into the ground. It stinks because we desperately need a smart local news station.

I just drove 10 minutes to the grocery store with WAMU. Race came up in the second minute. I heard about how difficult it is for a metal band comprised of black females and also how underpaid black actresses are. I’m not doubting these challenges and those stories of course should be heard, but it seems to dominate what I hear whenever I listen. I want a broader set of topics and perspectives and I would think a mass audience (if that is what they are actually trying to appeal to) would want also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ayesha never missed an opportunity to ‘black girl bond’ with any other black female. Just imagine a white dude trying to get away with it.

Wow.

Pretty sure that’s what “white dudes” were doing for most of the history of radio?