Though there are many good reasons why one might not want to look back at the year that was, we still see some aspects worth noting. In particular, radio and podcasting proved to be resilient media, with broadcasters and podcasters rallying to meet the challenges of quarantines and social distancing brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. This also brought on renewed interest in legal unlicensed Part 15 radio broadcasting, while the FCC authorized the first-ever terrestrial all-digital radio broadcast service, on the AM dial, no less.

The murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor refocused the nation’s attention on systematic racism and the racial and gender inequality that continues to permeate every aspect of American society. This brought about fresh calls for public and community broadcasters to address the effects of this within their own walls, along with efforts to provide mutual aid, support and guidance to BIPOC and advice to white allies.

An eventful year, it was, and we’re here to run it all down.

Show Notes:

* Social Distancing Sparks Interest in Part 15 Unlicensed Broadcasting, but Caveat Emptor* FCC’s All-Digital AM Plan Likely Will Be Weak Sauce* Public Media For All* Podcast #270: Public Media for All* FairPlay* WFUV’s EQFM* Podcast #240 – WFMU is Still On the Air During the Pandemic* Podcast #239 – Hunkering Down with Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska* Podcast #238 – Social Distancing, Going Remote and Automation during Global Pandemic* Podcast #237 – How Community & College Radio Can Deal with COVID-19* Voicemeeter Banana is the free software Jennifer has been using to recorder her radio show from home