<p>Some are questioning public radio station WUGA's ability to produce reliable, independent news now that the station is under the umbrella of the University of Georgia's public relations department.</p><p>The station, which airs National Public Radio programs, had been part of the University of Georgia's outreach program at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. But last month, the program was moved under the school's Office of Public Affairs, an arm of the university president's office.</p><p>Some listeners say they are worried the move could affect WUGA's independence in reporting news about the University of Georgia.</p><p>In a letter published in the Athens Banner-Herald, retired UGA journalism professor Wallace B. Eberhard said there is a difference between journalism and public relations.</p><p>"Public affairs is another name for the people who sing the praises and pitch the virtues of a fine state university," Eberhard wrote. "There is nothing inherently evil in this, but beating the drums for the Bulldog Nation should have no connection with programming for a radio station charged with operating in the public interest for the community it serves. It's difficult to understand why the university decision makers didn't see the conflict-of-interest situation they created by this new arrangement."</p><p>But Tom Jackson, the university's vice president for public affairs, said WUGA's format will not change.</p><p>"They still have their editorial independence and no one has proposed any content changes," Jackson said.</p><p>Patricia Priest, a member of Friends of WUGA, a fundraising group that supports the station, said she worries the move could change people's perception of the station.</p><p>Nearly two thirds of NPR stations are affiliated with colleges or universities, said Linda Carr, spokeswoman for college radio's U:S Alliance. But it is rare for a station operate as part of the school's public relations department, Carr said.</p><p>"I can understand concerns in the community about the station," she said.</p><p>WUGA has been linked with the University of Georgia since the station was founded in 1987 and got its money from the continuing education center. But state budget cuts prompted the center to eliminate the station's payroll to save about $150,000.</p><p>UGA Provost Arnett Mace argued it was "an institutional priority" to keep the station running and money was found in the university's public relations department.</p><p>Steve Bell, director of the Public Affairs office's broadcast division, will now oversee WUGA. He says he realizes some are concerned about the change.</p><p>"A I can do is say, watch what we do. Give us time. My goal is to continue the excellence that already exists with WUGA," Bell said.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x28654e4)</p>
