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.
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