Last weekend, I was asked to be a guest on CKUW, the campus station at the University of Winnipeg, the place I got my start in radio back in 1980. 

It was chaotic place with barely serviceable equipment and a closed-circuit broadcast radius that encompassed one hallway and one cafeteria. 

While in Winnipeg last week, I was asked to participate in CKUW’s annual fundraising drive.  I hadn’t been back since 1983, so I was curious to see how things had changed.

Sheldon, the interviewer, asked, “Can you talk about the importance of campus and community radio today?”

Here’s what I told him.

At a time when commercial radio stations are tightening their playlist and sticking with familiar big hits to preserve precious ratings, campus stations have become even more important to the cultural ecosystem. 

Without having to rely on ratings for revenue, these stations are free to explore the fringes of music.

While the presentation may sometimes be amateurish, the content and intent is terribly important.

Want to hear the widest variety of new and cool indie music from a bunch of different genres?  Ideas and opinions not found in the mainstream media? Want to really dig into the cultural fabric of your city? 

The answer in each case is campus  radio.

 Keep this in mind when CKUW and other stations of its kind ask for your support.

Write them a cheque.  And be generous.  You’re preserving a vital part of the Canadian cultural ecosystem.

Alan is the host of the radio show The Secret History of Rock.  Reach him at alan@alancross.ca