The Valley Free Radio Project Beginnings
The group, which was to become Valley Free Radio, first met in April of 2001. Inspired by the message of the Prometheus Radio Project, which espouses the democratization of the airwaves through the proliferation of non-commercial, community-based micropower radio stations, two forward-thinking local converts explained the concept and the basics of how to apply for a Low Power FM (LPFM) radio license to a group of about 20 that had been drawn to a meeting by posters and word of mouth.
With dedicated effort, a core group was able to meet the June deadline for applying to the FCC for an available frequency. The collective that formed that night became a project of the Media Education Foundation, a producer and distributor of educational videos designed to inspire critical thinking about mass media. This is how the seed of community radio was planted in the valley.
Valley Free Radio received its construction permit on March 12, 2004, after waiting 3 years for the Federal Communications Commission to process our application. At that point VFR had only 18 months to be up and broadcasting, with a year and a half to organize and distribute tasks, find a site, plan construction, plan transmission, plan studio equipping, engage in outreach to potential programmers, organize and train programmers, and not least, raising all the money that we needed for this. Somehow VFR did it (with help in the final hours from the Prometheus Project in Philadelphia). VFR went on the air at 3pm, August 7, 2005, amid much celebration.
Currently VFR has nearly 100 local programmers on the air and as a Pacifica Radio Network affiliate we broadcast a variety of programs produced at other LPFMs and community radio stations around the country!
In accordance with the Media Education Foundation’s mission, we seek to educate, inspire, and entertain through programming that reflects the diversity of the local community. We seek to provide a space for media access and education, placing equipment, skills, and critical tools in the hands of the community. We aim to serve with particular regard for those overlooked or under-represented by other media and to provide for the exchange of cultural and intellectual ideas and music.