Recently community radio station WPKN of Bridgeport at 89.5 FM added a new transmitter broadcasting from Montauk at 88.7 with call sign WPKM. The station is a source for alternative international and national news and decidedly non-commercial music. It is entirely funded by listener contributions and staffed by a group of volunteers. WPKM will serve East Hampton and points in eastern Connecticut. WPKN covers central and eastern Long Island to Southampton.
The Local Slant on News and Public Affairs:
A group of East Enders active in peace and social justice organizations met with WPKN Program Director Luis Pomales, News Director Ebong Udoma, Sandy Sandbank LI coordinator for WPKN and programmer Doug Echols last week. The East Enders discussed how to get local LI news on the stations that reflects the concerns of peace and justice groups. A local 'news team' is being formed for this purpose. Items for WPKM/N local news will be forwarded to the station by the news team. The news group also is planning a local public affairs program which will include news and commentary about local Long Island issues and national and international issues of concern to local activists. Those wishing to be a part of the news team should contact Tony Ernst at eastendreport@optonline.net.
Alternative News of the World:
WPKM and WPKN originate a weekly syndicated news magazine called "Between the Lines" heard Tuesday at 5:30pm, Wednesday at 8 am and Saturday at 2pm. The program "Counterpoint" heard Monday evening at 8pm features interviews with experts on international issues. Both programs cover news from a perspective not heard on the corporate media. Recent guests have included Phyllis Bennis, Naum Chomsky and Robert McChesney. The programs are produced by a team headed by Scott Harris.
In addition a daily (Mon-Fri) news cast "Free Speech Radio News", distributed by Pacifica Radio is heard at 6pm.
