Pledge drive justice

Today is the final day of WABE‘s spring pledge drive. They’re only 85 percent of the way toward goal. Be one of the 1,500 people they need to pledge today. Give more this year — they deserve it.

Don’t make me turn you in to Ira Glass for Pledge Justice. These are hilarious must-listens if you haven’t heard them before:

Freeloader Paul seemed unpreturbed >

Megan pledges a round of drinks >

Daughter turns in mother >

Putting my money where my mouth is (and where my ears and eyes are, too)

   
Click. Give Generously. 

 I doubled my contribution to Atlanta’s public radio station this year. You know why?

1. WABE has pretty much doubled its local news resources in the past few years. It is the only traditional local news source I can think of that is doing a better job instead of gutting its product.  Adding Dennis O’Hayer to Steve Goss completely sealed the deal on WABE’s mastery of local airwave credibility. For years, our local station didn’t add much to the national mix, but I am so proud now of the thoughtful and creative coverage of what’s going on in politics, business and the arts in Atlanta.

2. Programming. In addition to being a relatively new force in local news, NPR is my primary source of national news. My kid lives for Car Talk. Both kids enjoy Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. Story Corps makes me cry. Atlanta Sounds is an innovative aural slice of life. And we all know H. Johnson’s Jazz Classics is worth whatever you can pay.

3. Public radio is doing a great job bringing their product online. You can find any back story with a quick search. You can get Facebook updates. You can listen live online.

4. It just may save the world. I spend a lot of time worrying about what the demise of newspapers means to the future of America (yes, really). I think public radio has the potential to continue to move us forward.  

Speaking of putting my money where my mouth is, it’s time to resubscribe to the print Sunday New York Times. I deserve that luxury, and the paper deserves the support.