Fledgling radio station honors activists at ceremony in Scranton
BY ERIN L. NISSLEY (STAFF WRITER)
A fledgling radio station whose mission is shedding light on a number of social issues recognized a number of community members Saturday for their efforts to do the same.
WFTE FM hosted their first-ever “Social Justice Social” at the American Legion Post 568 in Minooka on Saturday. There, radio station officials handed out awards called Izzies to three groups – the Regional Hospital of Scranton’s chapter of the Service Employees International Union “for their activism protecting jobs, wages, workers’ rights and health care as our human right,” Father Bill Pickard and Joseph Rogan, Ph.D., of Pax Christi of Northeastern Pennsylvania for their activism for prison reform and Lynn Senick, Victoria Switzer and the other activists “for defending our right to clean air and water against the gas drillers’ exploitation of our environment.”
“This year, these were the three most significant social justice issues,” said WTFE board chairman Jacob Rosen. “We hope to make this an annual event and let our listeners pick recipients for Izzies.”
The radio station first went on the air in February, three years after obtaining a license from the Federal Communications Commission. Ever since, they have focused on issues like immigration, jobs and other topics that seem to be ignored by most main-stream media, Mr. Rosen said.
At Saturday’s event, Dr. Rogan said he was thrilled to be accepting an award from WTFE.
“Our organization feels supported by this,” he said. “Having them recognize us and our work is very motivating.”
Contact the writer: enissley@timesshamrock.com
