KMOJ’s Freddie Bell named ‘Broadcaster of the Year’

Ampers, the Association of Minnesota’s Public Educational Radio Stations, has named
KMOJ’s General Manager Freddie Bell as 2020’s Broadcaster of the Year. The organization
announced the award earlier this month at its annual meeting.

Announcing the award, Leah Honsky, Ampers’ vice-chairperson and chair of the Awards
and Scholarship Committee, said, “We have seen the impressive results of Mr. Bell’s tireless and
selfless work these past few years. After overcoming financial and organizational hurdles, this
year we celebrate some significant milestones like earning Minnesota’s Society of Professional
Journalists’ top award for co-producing ‘Sex Trafficking: The New Slavery,’ and securing a
substantial grant from the Minnesota Department of Health.

“KMOJ is a bright spot on the Ampers roster because of the world-class leadership that
Freddie brings to the station and the community support that generate,” said Honsky.

“Freddie is very deserving of the award,” Ampers CEO Joel Glaser added. “He took the lead
at KMOJ during a difficult time in the station’s history. Not only did he guide KMOJ through
those issues, he launched a new station called The Ice on KMOJ-HD2,” he said.

Each year Ampers acknowledges an individual or individuals with the award that recognizes
outstanding achievement in programming, production, engineering, development, promotion, or
community involvement. Because the meeting had to take place virtually, Bell will receive his
plaque by mail.

“The award honors the work of our staff and volunteers and people in the community
committed to KMOJ’s success,” Bell said.

Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, is an association of 18
independent community radio stations in Minnesota. Each station is locally managed and
programmed by and for the local communities they serve. The stations are all licensed to a
college, school, university, Native American tribe, or directly to the community.

—Information provided by KMOJ.