Brogan: NHPR — Not For All Of The Public

New Hampshire Public Radio is dumping one of their best programs, "The Exchange" which, for twenty-five years has been a shining example of what public radio can and should be.

When the show's host, Laura Knoy, recently announced her departure, one hoped that the program would continue with Peter Biello taking over the reins as host. He has been pinch-hitting for Laura whenever she was on vacation or unavailable, and for several years has been hosting the popular Friday, "Weekly News Round-Up". He seemed a natural to continue Knoy's legacy as well as bringing his own spin to the long-running staple of morning radio listening.

Alas, the dust on Laura's departure had not even settled before the station announced that they were putting the program "out to pasture". The loss is already being felt by thousands and I can already hear the sound of checkbooks being closed as donors and supporters look elsewhere as a means of providing financial support. I've spoken to more than a dozen people who have decided to not continue their support of NHPR.

On Friday, June 11th, Peter Biello interviewed Jim Schachter, the CEO of NHPR about the decision to terminate "The Exchange". As is his wont, Biello did not soft-peddle his questions and sought answers that listeners demand from the station.

Schachter's most startling admission was the fact that NO FEEDBACK was sought from supporters or listeners with regards to ending the program. While I appreciated his honesty in responding, I was appalled by the arrogance that was seemingly displayed by those who didn't seem to care what the "public" in New Hampshire Public Radio, had to say about this major change.

You didn't have to be a fan of public radio to enjoy and be stimulated by listening to "The Exchange. It was a program that encouraged viewer interaction. You could call-in and voice an opinion or email your thoughts about a particular topic. A great opportunity to vent and feel that someone cared enough to listen. Losing that outlet is about more than losing an hour of daily radio.

No subject was off-limits for "The Exchange" to cover. It could be national, international or local.

On any given show, you might be hearing from one of New Hampshire's elected officials or medical experts. On another show it might be Michael Herrmann, owner of Concord's popular, Gibson's Bookstore, telling us about a title we just had to read. Amy Diaz, from Hippo, on the other hand, might be letting us know about an obscure film title that was a must to view.

Forty years ago, while working at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Concord, a dedicated group of us would regularly make our way to WEVO on Pleasant Street to actively participate in telethon's designed to raise money for the fledgling station. We loved watching it take root throughout our region and "The Exchange" was a great part of the future growth of NHPR as radio worth listening to.

We can only hope that NHPR will reconsider this misguided decision and restore "The Exchange" with a new host (Peter Biello, we can hope), and make sure that the next twenty-five years of "The Exchange" are as engrossing as the past twenty-five have been. It would be a good way of making sure that "Public" stays a relevant part of public radio.