Today, Oct. 20, is national Community Media Day, an annual celebration of voices that brings awareness to the importance of free speech and accessible media for all individuals to have their voices heard. Community media encourages local dialogue, increases discourse around policy issues, fosters an understanding of local cultures, and shares information to improve lives.

KSKQ-89.5/94.1FM Community Radio will host a evening to recognize Rogue Valley media journalists, to raise funds for the local radio station and honor those journalists who have been murdered, beaten and imprisoned for their work uncovering crimes and corruption at the highest levels of government and society.

The Community Media Day celebration and fundraiser will be held from 7–9 p.m. today at the Bellview Grange, 1050 Tolman Creek Road in Ashland.

Attendees can enjoy music, snacks and meet the volunteers and crew of KSKQ Community Radio at they reveal their new fall schedule and new programming that focuses on independent reporting of critical issues. KSKQ volunteers will be available to help plug in those interested in community journalism, having a show on KSKQ or simply wanting to volunteer to help.

KSKQ 89.5 FM & 94.1 FM is southern Oregon’s community radio station. Their mission is to produce community radio that empowers the residents of the Rogue Valley, builds sustainable and resilient communities through the exchange of ideas and celebrates cultural diversity. With over 70 community producers, engineers and volunteers. KSKQ broadcasts unique local programming as well as critically acclaimed syndicated news such as Democracy Now!, Project Censored Radio and Flashpoints.

Local media like KSKQ provide producers, journalists, community members, media professionals, nonprofit organizations, schools and government agencies with the resources to create programming and have their voices heard at little to no cost, building community through media.

KSKQ has been able to do so through the support of the grants, underwriting, donations and the work of community members.

For more information, call KSKQ Station Manager Jason Houk 541-841-8341.

The event comes as KSKQ is putting out a call for volunteers to serve on its Programming Advisory Committee.

The advisory committee is responsible for reviewing new local programs, as well as syndicated programs concerning local issues, news, public affairs, religion, sports events, and other subjects. The Programming Advisory Committee is comprised of up to 11 members: half KSKQ programmers and volunteers and half KSKQ listeners at large.

Committee members assist the program director in decision-making efforts. The committee meets quarterly to assess the entire schedule, discuss content and availability, review new proposals and implement new changes.

Anyone interested in being a member of the committee can find an application online at www.kskq.org, print it out, fill it in and drop it off at the studio at 330 East Hersey Street, No. 2, or email it to connie@kskq.org.