Editorial:
KCOU campaign hurt communications with MSA
The campaign was meant to bring attention to the issue and not hurt MSA.
Published May 8, 2009
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General Manager John Dobson and Program Director Jonathan Hutcheson of KCOU look disappointed after the Missouri Students Association turn down their bid for a new transmitter to keep the station on the air. MSA and KCOU had many problems communicating, resulting in KCOU's final shutdown.
KCOU's campaign that accused the Missouri Students Association of trying to "kill" MU's student voice this fall just wasn't necessary. Honestly, some actual frank discussion as opposed to petty arguments about the purchase of a new transmitting tower for the student-run radio station could have gone a long way. Perhaps it could have even stopped the station from going off the FM airwaves this year.
Former KCOU General Manager John Dobson said the campaign was meant to garner attention, not hurt anyone. KCOU certainly did get attention with their protests and strong language against MSA's leadership.
No matter how many pieces of legislation MSA tabled, vetoed and voted down, KCOU was still restricted to online transmitting for the second half of the year.
After a meeting consisting of internal bickering on whether MSA could fairly allot $10,000 from a shared equipment fund, former MSA President Jim Kelley mentioned his desire to improve communications with KCOU.
If only this desire to work together could have been applied sooner and more effectively, 88.1 FM would still be rocking.
