KPLU: Loss of station would be profound

Regarding its sale of KPLU, Pacific Lutheran University says: "The reality is that there is a finite audience that is willing to fund public radio. ... We think it makes sense for the community to be served by a single entity."

This is in the era of Fox News and increasing corporate ownership of news and entertainment and the increasing dumbing down of audiences. It coincidentally follows a very short and very successful fund drive by KPLU.

KPLU is an amazing station. It consistently has award-winning coverage of local and regional news and works throughout the region to support and foster music education. The staff works with dedicated intent; they are thoughtful, warm, appreciative of their audience, humorous, intelligent and informed. They are always creating, analyzing and growing.

The University of Washington apparently intends to dissolve the station, taking over the 10 KPLU transmission towers. It will relegate their choice of jazz to their own smaller transmission area.

It is stunning that two excellent universities would chose to eliminate a vibrant source of news and culture in the Puget Sound. I deeply hope that listeners and alumni communicate with PLU and with the Federal Communications Commission. The loss would be profound.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 1:34 PM with the headline "KPLU: Loss of station would be profound."