A message from Free Speech Radio News

We are sad to announce that last Friday, September 27th, we played the last episode of Free Speech Radio News for the foreseeable future.  Here is a message from them, explaining why:

Dear FSRN listeners,

We write to you with some extremely sad news.  Last Friday,  FSRN’s Board of Directors issued a two-week layoff notice to all staff, with our last daily program scheduled for Friday, September 27th.

Our Board took this action because as of September 13th, FSRN had $32,000 in the bank. We project that in order to close up shop and meet our financial and legal responsibilities, it will cost $29,000.

FSRN is currently carrying just over $200,000 in accounts receivable. For much of the year, our major funder Pacifica has not been able to pay us and its past-due balance to FSRN is about $198,000.

Many of you have supported FSRN during our struggles to make ends meet. Over the years we have made significant cutbacks to respond to a shrinking budget and weathered several financial crises that nearly brought us to the brink of closure. Most recently, funds ran dangerously low this past Spring, but with your help, we raised more than $100,000 from more than 1300 people like you to keep FSRN on the air.

Today, we once again find ourselves in crisis.

For those of you unfamiliar with FSRN’s operating costs and revenue, we’d like to share a few details. Your grassroots support has been vital  to FSRN. Our production currently costs about $36,000 per month. Until recently,  your dollars supplemented a $25,000 per month contract with our major donor, the Pacifica Foundation. But our current contract is for just $10,000 per month, which is not enough to sustain daily production at current levels.

If we receive a payment from Pacifica, FSRN’s Board will decide how the organization will proceed. Depending on the size of the payment, we may have several options. We are discussing the possibility of transforming FSRN into something new, more digitally-centered and financially sustainable, but still focused on bringing under-represented issues and voices about peace and social justice issues to a global audience. We are currently working hard to develop a sustainable business plan that will take FSRN into the next phase and we hope we can count on you for your support when the time is right.

Together with hundreds of reporters in communities around the globe, we have brought you more than 3,400 programs and specials, featuring 20,000+ reporter headlines & features. On more than 100 stations across the US, you have heard stories documenting wrongdoing, repression and corruption, and highlighting the individuals, campaigns and movements that work everyday to bring about a more just and equitable society.  We know this work has educated and inspired countless people, and contributed to a growing trend of media outlets that focus on news that serves the public interest.

We are so grateful to all of our supporters, past and present, for all your contributions. We will keep you informed on FSRN’s future and how you can play a role in any potential transformation. And if you know of any major donors who would be interested in investing in FSRN’s future, please let us know.

In solidarity,

FSRN Staff & Steering Committee

For the next 30 days, WRFI will be trying out a new international news program called Feature Story News in the former FSRN 6:30pm weekday time slot.  Please use the Contact Us page to let us know what you think of it.