Maine Public Radio has always been an example of what’s right with public broadcasting. They have gone the extra mile to invest in their programming and to tailor their product to the people of Maine – locally produced public affairs, news and music leavened with a good balance of high quality national shows. Through this mix, the network has avoided the dreary, homogeneous sound of so many other public stations throughout the rest of the country.

It is in light of this tradition that the network’s recent programming changes are so disturbing. It is troubling that the opera will disappear from MPR’s airwaves – stranding longstanding listeners unable to receive the commercial stations carrying that service. Of equal or greater importance is the elimination of afternoon live music programming in favor of nationally syndicated talk shows. Arguments can be made either way as to whether Maine really needs more talk radio. What is certain is that the loss of the local programming during the middle of the day is bad news for Maine. In these days of impersonal mass media, the presence of local voices on the air is a rarity indeed.

MPR maintains that their audience numbers drop off in the afternoon and more popular national programming is necessary to keep the station competitive. But is popular programming really better programming or just more popular?

Are more ruminations on the latest fad in news or yet another fawning interview with an obscure celebrity really what Maine pines for? I fear the changes in MPR will bring Maine one step closer to being just like everywhere else.

Greg Rossel

Troy