On Thursday May 19th, after 12 years on WHUS Radio at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT, the radio station took the daily one-hour, independently-produced, nationally-distributed public affairs / news program "Democracy Now!" off the air, with no advance explanation. The program is a valuable source of news and views that help inform all listeners in the region, promoting critical thinking about national and global issues of the day. This is a crucial presidential election year, when we need more--not fewer--sources of independent news coverage and critical thinking on broadcast radio. WHUS has now eliminated another important source of news from its airwaves. They have no other national news program, and only one weekly public affairs (talk) program remaining on their program schedule.

When asked about the cancellation, WHUS claimed, "the board determined that syndicating Democracy Now did not benefit the student body through radio content or through training opportunities." 

We believe in the value of this program and heartily disagree that it does not benefit students. Further, WHUS should live up to its "Radio for the People" slogan and take the community's concerns into consideration. We have been in touch with the station, and while initially unresponsive, they have told us they are receptive to this petition--that means your signature really does mean something! Please make your voice heard and sign below. 

Yours,

Clay Colt & Amy Shaw