SGMA Supports NMC Radio Station

SAIPAN. The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA) this week presented a check for $1,000 to help KRNM 88.1 FM -- the public radio station located on the campus of Northern Marianas College — to bring programming to the community.

Karl Pogue, general manager of KRNM stated that, "Local donations such as this are crucial to our station, as we receive no federal funding for our operations. The donation from SGMA will be used to underwrite four programs for a full year, including the locally-produced ‘China Tonight’ show and the syndicated programs, ‘Cyber Media,’ ‘Car Talk,’ and ‘Echoes Echoes.’"

According to SGMA Executive Director Richard A. Pierce, his organization saw the sponsorship of the "China Tonight" program as an opportunity to open another line of communication with the Chinese people employed in the islands’ garment factories.

Produced by NMC students Wen Hao Tang and Sun Li, this 60 minute Chinese language program is a variety show, featuring classical and contemporary Chinese music, English lessons, poetry, health and safety issues, in-studio live music and poetry reading. The program is aired each Tuesday night from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

"There is a limited amount of Chinese-language programming available on Saipan, so SGMA is especially pleased to support the China Tonight program, which will be both entertaining and informative for Chinese speaking people who are living and working in our islands," said Pierce. "Our SGMA members that employ Chinese nationals have offered to help promote this program within their factories."