| rev:text
| - Simply the best local radio station.
What was once "News, Jazz, NPR" Duquesne University sold WDUQ in 2011 and after some shifting of names, the station has settled as WESA. They feature a format of all public radio programming, primarily from NPR, but also from PRI, The BBC and local programming.
The move to drop Jazz (still broadcast on their digital HD-2 frequency and streaming online) caused some initial grumbling from the old guard, but the format of all information or public radio entertainment programming is (in my humble opinion) a welcome addition to the discourse in town.
This is where you can hear "Morning Edition", "All Things Considered", and "Fresh Air" daily, as well as PRI-distributed shows like "Q with Qian Qhomeshi" (an incredible interview show from the CBC in Canada) The BBC World Service, "The Dinner Party", "Marketplace", "The World", "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me", "This American Life", "The Diane Rehm Show", and many many more.
I see that some people have mentioned that the local programming isn't up to their standards; I would disagree here a little. Much of the programming and reporting that they do locally is as in-depth and interesting as it should be. Sometimes local issues don't merit much more than WESA gives them, and I find the reports from both Larkin Paige-Jacobs during ATC and Josh Raulerson during Morning Edition to be interesting and extremely valuable in a world where most journalism seems to be aimed at scaring the elderly into an indignant state. I would direct anyone who wants a good example of this to look at Josh's recent series of reports on Pittsburgh's ailing bridges, which culminated in a wonderful account a great success story in the Hot Metal Bridge.
I do agree, however, a little bit with "Essential Pittsburgh" leaving me wanting. What i was desperately hoping for with this daily, noontime (and 8pm) anchor for local reporting was a show that felt more like "Q" or "Fresh Air". When they announced it would be a "Daily magazine of news, newsmakers, and the arts" I wanted to hear the host sit down and discuss things with people of note, to celebrate the good and interesting that is going on. Instead, the show seems to try to take a hard-line journalism approach to all stories, not matter the subject matter. It lacks the ease and welcoming tone of Terri Gross, Jian Ghomeshi, or even the rather curmudgeonly Marc Maron and this makes it hard to listen to it. I like the packages they play from "Hearing Voices" and other local reports like Josh's aforementioned Bridge Series, but the interviews from the host often feel like they are digging, where there is no controversial depth. Rather, what it feels is needed, is an easy conversation that creates a tone where these people open up and share.
With that one caveat, I have to say that WESA is not only an incredibly valuable part of the media landscape, but I truly believe it is incredibly important. It is the one place to get straightforward, interesting and informational content broadcast to you in the region. They are a vital part of the fabric of this city, and I encourage anyone and everyone to visit their website, and explore what they do. I think you will be surprised what WESA offers.
Additionally, it is important to note that while you can certainly stream NPR programming from other stations, or even directly from NPR, the network operates by having affiliates like WESA pay dues, and they can only do that if listeners support them. If people stop supporting the affiliates, the affiliates won't be able to support NPR through their dues, and the whole system will risk collapse. Just a note that no matter how we access the national programming, if we value it then it is good to consider supporting it in some way. I chose to support it through WESA.
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