The Atlanta Public Radio Initiative

Who and What is APRI?
We are a group of Atlanta-area public radio listeners who aim to diversify the programming schedule on WABE-FM, the most prominent NPR station in our area. We also believe all public radio listeners would benefit from a more public forum on how this very important station on the radio dial is managed and programmed.

Three people founded our grass-roots organization in February 2003, and primarily through exposure of our cause in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Creative Loafing, we now have over 500 members and have gotten the attention of both AETC (WABE's governing board), and the station's management. We have met with Lois Reitzes, WABE's program director (as host of "Second Cup," she is the strongest possible advocate of classical music), and have attended every board meeting since our inception.

Short-Term Goals
Our immediate goal is to have WABE implement programming changes in 2004 that would bring substantially more discussion programs to its schedule. This would include two additional hours of discussion programming Mondays - Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and another two hours between 8 p.m. and midnight on weekday evenings. We also want WABE to air all available weekend news programs from NPR.

Even with the addition of four hours of discussion programming each weekday, WABE will still be airing much more music than discussion. Our intent is not to eliminate classical music from the schedule, but to have the station offer a more balanced and diversified schedule.

Long-Term Goals
Our long-term goal is to have two WABE signals covering the Atlanta metropolitan area by 2006, with one signal carrying a primarily classical music format and the other offering a news/discussion format. This can be accomplished either by taking advantage of new digital broadcasting technology (which is now being mandated by the U.S. government), or perhaps by WABE purchasing an AM station and changing that station's format.

Why is APRI Pushing for These Programming Changes?
The existing programming schedule on WABE is heavily imbalanced in favor of classical music. There are nearly two hours of classical music for every hour of all other kinds of programming. And aside from basic news programming, WABE devotes only a few hours a week to discussion-based programs. We believe a better programming balance for Atlanta will involve significantly more discussion shows, and that this balance could be achieved while maintaining a robust schedule of classical music.

Click here to send an email to APRI. We can use your support and ideas!


	about Atlanta Public Radio Initiative Who and What is APRI? We are a group of Atlanta-area public radio listeners who aim to diversify the programming schedule on WABE-FM, the most prominent NPR station in our area. We also believe all public radio listeners would benefit from a more public forum on how this very important station on the radio dial is managed and programmed. Three people founded our grass-roots organization in February 2003, and primarily through exposure of our cause in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Creative Loafing, we now have over 500 members and have gotten the attention of both AETC (WABE's governing board), and the station's management. We have met with Lois Reitzes, WABE's program director (as host of "Second Cup," she is the strongest possible advocate of classical music), and have attended every board meeting since our inception. Short-Term Goals Our immediate goal is to have WABE implement programming changes in 2004 that would bring substantially more discussion programs to its schedule. This would include two additional hours of discussion programming Mondays - Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and another two hours between 8 p.m. and midnight on weekday evenings. We also want WABE to air all available weekend news programs from NPR. Even with the addition of four hours of discussion programming each weekday, WABE will still be airing much more music than discussion. Our intent is not to eliminate classical music from the schedule, but to have the station offer a more balanced and diversified schedule. Long-Term Goals Our long-term goal is to have two WABE signals covering the Atlanta metropolitan area by 2006, with one signal carrying a primarily classical music format and the other offering a news/discussion format. This can be accomplished either by taking advantage of new digital broadcasting technology (which is now being mandated by the U.S. government), or perhaps by WABE purchasing an AM station and changing that station's format. Why is APRI Pushing for These Programming Changes? The existing programming schedule on WABE is heavily imbalanced in favor of classical music. There are nearly two hours of classical music for every hour of all other kinds of programming. And aside from basic news programming, WABE devotes only a few hours a week to discussion-based programs. We believe a better programming balance for Atlanta will involve significantly more discussion shows, and that this balance could be achieved while maintaining a robust schedule of classical music. Click here to send an email to APRI. We can use your support and ideas!