A story in WisBusiness profiles the new statewide radio network in Wisconsin called Civic Media whose goal is to “offer a ‘counterpoint’ to conservative talk radio while elevating local and state-level issues.” Company CEO Sage Weil – described as “a successful software developer and a major Dem donor in the state” tells the publication that the “ongoing erosion” of local media is an obstacle that needs to be overcome. He says, “Civic
Media’s mission is to refocus our attention on state and local issues, and we’re doing that by building a network across Wisconsin of hometown radio stations that are bringing as much local and state-based content to the airwaves as we possibly can.” The piece says that Civic Media has been acquiring radio stations, but it appears it is leasing at least some of them, such as WMDX-AM/W224EG, Madison “Mad Radio” which is owned by Good Karma Brands. Regardless, it is presenting programming on about a dozen stations with its eye on having about 20 stations in its network. Weil says the network is trying not to be positioned as liberal talk. “We don’t take sides as far as one political party over the other, except that our core values and mission … are around things like democracy, transparency and so on. It’s very difficult to be pro-democracy and not be voting for, you know, Democrats these days.” Read the whole story here.
