You won't believe what's happening to our campus radio
Whaddya at, b'y — this is St. John's, oldest city in North America, and we're still here. Let's go.
I'll tell ya one thing, b'y, it's not every day you hear about something that feels like a real gut punch to da whole community, but dat's what's going on up at Memorial University. Da students' union, MUNSU, dey're lookin' at shutting down CHMR-FM, dat's our campus radio station. Can you believe dat, eh? Dat station has been broadcasting from da MUN campus, right up near da Botanical Garden, for decades, givin' a voice to all sorts of local music and talk dat you won't hear anywhere else on da dial. It's a proper institution, b'y.
### Why This Matters for Us
Now, da students' union executive committee says it's because da station is cash-strapped. And yeah, I get it, money's tight for everyone, especially for students. But think about what we're losing here. CHMR-FM ain't just a place for students to spin tunes; it's a launchpad for local artists, a training ground for broadcasters, and a place where you can hear voices and stories dat are distinctly Newfoundland. Where else are you gonna hear your buddy from da West Coast talkin' about da latest kitchen party or some up-and-coming band from Quidi Vidi Village?
* It's a huge part of da arts and culture scene here in St. John's. * It gives Memorial University students real-world experience, right here in town instead of havin' to go up da road to da mainland. * It’s a place for community groups and different voices to be heard, especially when da big stations are all playin' da same stuff.
This decision, it's comin' up next month, and if dey go through wit' it, it's gonna be a real loss for our city. It's like takin' a piece of da soul right out of da Water Street shops or dim colourful houses clinging to da cliffs of da Battery. It's about preserving somethin' unique to St. John's, somethin' dat makes us, well, *us*.
Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton, MiTL Sports Desk, St. John's.
You can hear Keith and da gang talk about all dis on da morning show, b'y, live at mornings.live.