Oshkosh Media, which operates public television and radio in the city, will be shut down by the City of Oshkosh and restructured into the Communications and Engagement Division on May 15.

In an email sent to TV and radio producers on March 5, City of Oshkosh Communications and Engagement Manager Drew Bailey said that Oshkosh Media will be retired and the space will be used by his new division.

“… We anticipate needing to repurpose the space currently used by the Oshkosh Media program in order to support the broader communications and engagement needs of the city,” Bailey said. “As part of this transition, the city will no longer be able to house or oversee any community media services including the radio station, TV studio, and other media services currently operating under Oshkosh Media within our building.”

Since 1987, Oshkosh Media has produced “Gov TV” for government-related meetings and events and “Life TV” for community-created content. 

The group also runs a community radio station on 101.9 FM.

According to city officials, the restructure was made in order to operate all communications in-house instead of continuing to outsource things like media releases and social media to third-party vendors.

City Manager Rebecca Grill said that “Gov TV” will continue as it has at the March 10 Common Council meeting. 

“My expectations of that meeting were that staff would share some things that we’re looking into for the future and potential timeline, not a definite transition plan,” Grill said. “However, discussion at the meeting was not necessarily consistent with my expectations. Further discussions were and are needed.”

In an email to Oshkosh Media volunteers last week, Bailey said, “the channels, ‘Gov TV’ and ‘Life TV’ will cease operations at that time.”

When Oshkosh Media officially closes its doors, Bailey said in his email that “Life TV” studios will no longer be available for the public or air content.

Bailey said in an email that the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel will continue to air Oshkosh Common Council meetings and other government content after the closure.

“This new group, (The Communications and Engagement Division), will be tasked with covering communications for all city departments,” Bailey said. “This causes a need for physical space, as some of these folks will be relocating from other city facilities into the current Oshkosh Media office. The work this new division has been tasked with will also require us to consider where staff time and resources are being used, and for that reason, staff will no longer operate the channels.”

Russell Potratz, president of the Friends of Oshkosh Community Media Board of Directors, said in a letter to City Manager Rebecca Grill that the timeline and process surrounding the decision is concerning.

“The announcement was made with minimal notice and without meaningful opportunity for public input,” Potratz said. “This abrupt transition disrupts services residents have relied on for decades and places community partners, volunteers and producers in an untenable position.”

At the common council meeting, Bailey said that the improper communication between Oshkosh Media’s staff and volunteers falls completely on him.

“I could have done a lot better,” Bailey said. “As far as the initial communication, how it went out … and overall with making sure the direction and expectations of the city manager were clearly outlined … I’m excited to talk and work with you (Oshkosh community members and city council) as we look for the best possible options.”

Potratz and the community members who attended urged the city council to delay the May 15 shutdown so that there’s opportunity for proper engagement and transition planning, as well as a provided clear explanation of the data and process to justify eliminating the channel’s work.

Mike Hert, who produces “The Outpost” for Oshkosh Media as a volunteer, said in a Facebook post that he was shocked to receive the announcement.

“I did talk with Bailey regarding the email,” Hert said. “He indicated that the leadership team made a decision and it was reflected in the operational budget. I was disappointed that local producers were not brought in for discussion prior to a decision-making process. Sadly, local producers appear to be an afterthought.”

Hert said that many of the shows produced by Oshkosh Media help bring awareness to specific members of the community.

“My last show on ‘The Outpost,’ showcased a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) national and chapter service officer, who shared with viewers how to access the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system regarding benefits,” Hert said. “Putting a local face on it makes a difference … this appeared to be pushed through with little thought or concern.”

Tony Palmeri, a professor at UW-Oshkosh, reminded the council of “Life TV’s” mission statement and said that he hasn’t seen that mission statement reflected in discussion of the city’s new Community and Engagement Division. 

“Promoting the cultural diversity doesn’t mean sending staff out to film a meeting,” Palmeri said. “It means giving people an actual opportunity to produce their own messages, and that’s what the studios of Oshkosh Media have done. So I hope we can find a way to keep the studio, and if anything, encourage more people to use those facilities.”

Palmeri listed various colleagues who volunteer their time to host shows for Oshkosh Media and said that those people who’ve put so much time and effort, deserve more than to be told to figure out how to get their program on YouTube.

“The city helping these people produce their outstanding messages is very important,” Palmeri said. “We’re trained in this country to always think left versus right, but these folks think of right versus wrong, and that’s what we want to see the city do here.”

John Nieman, a volunteer at Oshkosh Media for over 24 years said that his experience as the first caller to the Communication and Engagement Division after the news broke wasn’t good. 

Nieman said he was broadly directed to transfer his show to YouTube after presenting the question of what he should do with production.

“I’m 65 and retired,” Nieman said. “I call my children to figure out how to reset the remote control and the microwave. Now I’m supposed to suddenly know how to go on YouTube and do all this when the wonderful Oshkosh Media team has been doing this for us.” 

Since news broke to the public, Nieman said that 55 listeners to his show have called him personally looking for answers as to what’s happening but he doesn’t have any because of the lack of communication that’s occurred. 

“I’m passionate about this because I love Oshkosh Media,” Nieman said. “I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t. So I really think something needs to be done before decisions like these are made. And through an email, that’s not communication.”

Potratz said that eliminating Oshkosh Media removes public assets that are not replicated by any other platform.

“Community media has ensured that residents regardless of income, technology access, or digital literacy can follow local government proceedings and participate in civic life,” Potratz said.

Bailey said in his email to producers last week that he understands the changes are going to be hard.

“The stories you tell as a ‘Life TV’ producer and contributor to the radio programs are important to the community, and to us,” he said. “If you have not already, we encourage you to create your own YouTube channel or find easy accessible tools or platforms where you can share your content with the community. If you need assistance with that, our staff can help.”