Guest Column: College Radio, a free speech speakeasy
By Max Murray
When you think of free speech, what does “free” really mean to you? Does it mean it comes with no associated costs? Does it mean it’s accessible to anyone at any time? Is it without bounds?
Most importantly, if all speech is free, is all speech inherently equal?
College radio, in many ways, is a free speech speakeasy. On the surface, college radio might look like business as usual, a campus organization with rigid guidelines and face to protect. But give that door a rhythmic knock and a small window slides open to reveal some of the most raw and authentic thoughts on campus. Granted, when you’re an FCC complaint station, speech is never completely “free.”
Aggie Radio 92.3 FM KBLU-LP Logan gives DJs the opportunity to play their favorite music, and music itself has always been a beacon of free speech. It has long been used to share alternative perspectives, speak out against injustice and give people the power to express what can’t always be said outright.
Equally, if not more important, are the voices these student DJs personally bring to the community. DJs have the chance to speak not only about music but also what’s most important to them.
Aggie Radio DJs are always encouraged to share personal experiences, opinions and thoughts on-air.
DJs are also welcome to invite guests onto their shows to share perspectives, have open dialogue and give space to voices that might otherwise go unheard.
On Oct. 3, the world celebrated College Radio Day, and this year’s theme was “Tune In To The People,” a call to highlight underrepresented voices. At Aggie Radio, we embraced that theme by collaborating with USUSA clubs and organizations to make the event more interactive and engaging. Broadcasting live for six hours from the Hub stage in the TSC, the event featured 12 different DJs and nine interviews with campus club representatives.
This semester, Aggie Radio is hosting a record-high of nearly 60 live radio shows between Monday and Friday. That means each week brings around 60 hours of music, conversation and live dialogue from students.
In a time when free speech is often mislabeled, misused and misunderstood, college radio looks to continue being a platform for authentic messages and voices.
— maxwell.murray@usu.edu