Of course, I choose to immerse myself in community radio at the worst possible time.

Radio Berkeley has had trouble. CIUT in Toronto had a coup and now is ONE WORLD ONE RADIO.

Even Greater London Radio is under pressure.
(WHUMP refers to it as a community radio station, which I don't think it is. Regardless, it is definitely one of the finest radio stations I've ever listened to and it would be a sin if it turned into a squawk-station.

I've been trying to figure out why community radio is on such fragile ground. My hunch is that there is a growing realization that such a precious conduit to the youth demographic is being squandered on (get this) local bands and community issues. Radio frequencies are incredibly expensive and hard to come by - so attempts to cannibalize the small are to be expected.

Another factor is that I know that most students don't listen to or support to their own campus radio station. They are put off because the station isn't playing the music that they would want to hear (usually commercial music without the commercials). I suspect that they forget this important reason to keep campus radio local and uncommerical: while there are many other radio stations to listen to; there are none that will let you broadcast from. It's an obvious point, but I think its often overlooked.