Official MPR Press Release
April 21, 1997

MPR SAYS LISTENERS WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PROPOSAL BEFORE THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE

(ST. PAUL, MN) -- Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) said today that a proposal before the Minnesota State Legislature that would either force MPR to sell its classical music station KSJN 99.5 FM or would eliminate any future state support for MPR would have a serious impact on the radio network and its listeners and supporters.

"Either option would clearly hurt MPR's audiences," said Bill Kling, president of Minnesota Public Radio. "The first option - to force MPR to sell KSJN - would mean the destruction of one of the state's strongest and most valued cultural institutions. The second option - elimination of any future state support - would sharply curtail MPR's ability to serve the citizens of Minnesota, particularly those who live outside the Twin Cities."

On Thursday, Representative Mike Oskopp (R - Lake City) introduced an amendment to a state broadcasting funding bill that would make MPR ineligible for funding support of approximately $800,000 during the next two years unless MPR sells one of its Twin Cities radio stations, classical music station KSJN 99.5, to a group of businessmen who want to broadcast urban contemporary music on a commercial basis.

MPR has said that KSJN is not for sale. MPR regards KSJN as key to MPR's mission to serve Minnesotans throughout the state with in-depth news and cultural programming.

"KSJN is a public radio station," Kling said. "MPR's owners are its members and listeners throughout Minnesota and surrounding areas. MPR regularly receives inquiries whether it might be for sale but we always say 'No.' MPR is not for sale any more than the University of Minnesota or other esteemed public institution in our state is for sale."

Kling said that while MPR applauds the Legislature for wanting to encourage diversity of ownership, to victimize MPR by depriving it of needed funding is not a good way to achieve this public policy objective.

Kling said that Rep. Oskopp is in error in saying that MPR engaged in a bidding war to buy KSJN (then WLOL) from Emmis Broadcasting in 1990. "There were no other bidders that we were aware of," Kling said. "The radio industry was in a recession in 1990 and more than one Twin Cities station was available for purchase. MPR offered $12 million for KSJN against an asking price of $20 million. After six months of standing firm with our bid, our offer was accepted. There was no bidding war."

Kling also rejected accusations that MPR inappropriately used tax exempt financing to outbid commercial competition. "Only after the purchase agreement was signed did MPR secure tax exempt financing appropriate to MPR's non-profit status," Kling said. "It was not a factor in our negotiations."

The elimination of state support for MPR, Kling said, will particularly hurt Minnesotans outside the Twin Cities. MPR uses money that the Legislature provides state public broadcasters for investment in its outstate facilities and equipment. MPR plans to invest the proposed two-year $800,000 funding from the Legislature to convert broadcasting equipment at MPR's network stations to digital technology and upgrade transmission capabilities in eleven communities around the state.

Kling said that MPR feels strongly that the proposed amendment would be poor public policy. The station is encouraging MPR listeners and supporters to call 1-800-228-7123 for further information.

MPR is encouraging concerned listeners and supporters to contact their local state representative via email or telephone (with current fast-paced events, the post office may be too slow).

Legislators' names and contact information can be found with the Pioneer Planet "Political Machine":

The bill is Senate File 1905. A text of the bill is available on the State of Minnesota's "Bills Introduced" Web site:

The author of the amendment is Mike Osskopp, (R) 29B:

People can call MPR's Member-Listener Services for more information:

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