Posted by madcityradio.com on January 28, 2010 at 11:04:38:
What I Do: I help workers have a voice
Name: Doug Cunningham
Occupation: News producer/anchor for Workers Independent News
Web: www.laborradio.org
Number of years on the job: 5
I anchor Workers Independent News, a daily national radio newscast focused on workers, labor and unions. From my home studio just outside Madison, I put workers� voices on the airwaves every day.
I believe covering what workers and unions do and say on the current issues is just as important as covering the White House, Congress and business. I talk to economists and union leaders as well as workers.
In high school, my journalism teacher inspired me and got me on the track to a career in journalism. I co-founded the Flint Voice newspaper with now-filmmaker Michael Moore. A local rock radio station gave us the opportunity to have our own radio show. The show gave me valuable experience for my career path.
Before reporting and anchoring for WIN, I spent five years covering state government and the state�s congressional delegation for the Madison-based Wisconsin Radio Network. While at that job, I heard from a colleague that Frank Emspak, a UW professor, was starting this network in 2000. I came to work here in 2004. In all, I have 20 years of experience in radio at various radio stations. I�m a member of the Chicago local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union.
WIN reaches an estimated 4 million people per week with the daily newscast, available on more than 125 stations and through the Internet and podcasts. I�m also heard twice a month on the Thom Hartmann national progressive talk show. Locally, WIN is heard on WORT and WTDY.
In my home studio I use an analog sound mixer board, computer, microphone and digital technology to record interviews over the phone to include in my broadcast. It�s interesting to sit in my home studio and be heard in New York City.
My grandparents were coal miners in Kentucky, and both of my parents were auto workers. I grew up in an atmosphere of hard-working, blue-collar people, so that motivates me to make other workers� voices heard.