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KQED Press Kit
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Media Usage Policy
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PRESS CONTACTS
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Contacts for journalists and reporters only. For information about contacting KQED, please visit the Contact Us page. Please send press releases or news story ideas directly to KQED Radio Programs contacts.
Scott Walton, Executive Director of Communications
415.553.2145
swalton@ncpb.com
Meredith Gandy, Publicist
415.553.2116
mgandy@kqed.org
KQED News Tips
Have a news tip or a breaking news item?
Contact KQED News newsroom: 415.553.2361
assignmentdesk@kqed.org
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| KQED Public Broadcasting Engages Public Sector and Businesses on Future of the Digital Age |
Northern California's Only Digital Public Broadcaster Launches Physical/Virtual "Civic Space" to Pave the Digital Road
San Francisco, California, July 2, 2001 -- After broadcasting its first digital television signal last year, successfully completing the quiet phase of its Campaign for the Future, and rallying initial support from a variety of businesses, cultural and educational institutions, community organizations and other media, KQED Public Broadcasting has embarked on a new project called KQED Civic Space.
The initiative will convene a series of live and online conversations where bold innovators and visionaries can share ideas and creativity about the future of public media in the digital age. KQED Civic Space is also an instrument for forging substantial new alliances and partnerships with organizations and businesses interested in maximizing the enormous potential of public media and KQED to create and distribute new digital content for multiple media platforms.
Beginning with a launch of its Web site -- www.kqed.org/civicspace -- and a series of public events, KQED will invite community and business leaders to plan how public sector institutions -- including KQED -- might be able to harness new technologies, better serving Northern California residents. KQED is currently exploring strategic partnerships, recognizing that non-profits must collaborate and effectively organize to grow and nurture mission-driven programs and services.
"The many capabilities supported by digital technology–vivid transmissions, multicasting and interactivity -- will open the door to new, creative partnerships," said Mary Bitterman, president and CEO of KQED. "In concert with community groups and organizations in the arts, sciences and public service, KQED will become a virtual classroom for lifelong learners, a catalyst for informed citizenship and a gateway to the Bay Area's museums, events, cultures and history. KQED Civic Space launches this exciting and inspiring era of dialogue, learning and innovation."
The first public event -- which will take place across multiple platforms via the Internet, television and radio -- will be held on Tuesday, September 11, and a discussion will be moderated by Forum host Michael Krasny. The event will be taped for later broadcast on KQED Public Radio 88.5 FM and streamed on KQED.org. KQED Civic Space will present the case for greater collaboration as television broadcast media moves into the federally mandated transition to digital television.
KQED has struck a chord with several organizations, such as the Bay Area Video Coalition, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Public Policy Institute of California and Santa Clara University.
"The Bay Area Video Coalition is fully supportive of KQED in its efforts to extend the power of broadcast media to its constituents. As an organization that strives to broaden the voices of artists and nonprofits via video and digital media, we are a natural partner for Civic Space," noted Sally Jo Fifer, outgoing executive director of the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) and incoming executive director of the Independent Television Service (ITVS).
"The Bay Area enjoys a rich fabric of museums, theaters and other cultural resources and KQED's Civic Space initiative will open up new paths of collaboration and enliven old ones," noted Peter B. Giles, president and CEO of The Tech Museum of Innovation.
"With California's movement toward direct democracy, it is more important than ever that organizations like KQED expand their efforts to create an informed and active citizenry," said David W. Lyon, president & CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California. "Through KQED Civic Space, KQED is challenging all of us -- community groups to corporations alike -- to bring our diverse skills, resources, and visions to bear on the question of how to build a more connected community in the digital age."
The KQED Campaign for the Future is an effort to secure funding from individuals, corporations and foundations for the conversion to digital technology for television and radio; the development and production of new and existing television and radio programs; and transition KQED's infrastructure to move toward the digital future. Through June 2001, the Campaign for the Future has raised more than $48 million toward the $70 million goal.
KQED operates KQED Public Television 9, the nation's most-watched public television station, and Digital Television 30, Northern California's only public television digital signal; KQED Public Radio 88.5 FM, the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation; the KQED Education Network, which brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars and resources; and KQED.org, which harnesses the power of the Internet to bring KQED to communities across the Web.
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