Unexpectedly, the last remaining Polish radio station in the New York area has gone silent. With the closing of Polish Radio New York 910 in Pomona, NY, Polish-speaking residents have been deprived of an opportunity to listen to Polish-language radio programs.

Some of us still remember a time when we could choose between local Polish language radio-stations. Demographic changes, a hostile financial environment for traditional media, as well as the expansion of the Internet have had serious consequences.

We had already lost a radio program prepared and broadcast by former workers of the New York Radio Free Europe. Its demise was followed by Father Tomasz Rudny's Radio, Stanislaw Goracy's Radio Zblizenia and Malgorzata Kaluza and Janusz Marciniak's Radio Most. They are all gone, now joined by the last Mohican from Pomona, which followed in their footsteps.

The Polish-American radio programs were by no means perfect. Because of limited budgets, they could not compete with National Public Radio or even local New York radio stations. In spite of it all, however, they provided the latest news from the U.S., Poland and the world and, most importantly, covered local events in the Polish community.

The hosts would invite interesting people for interviews and played Polish music that many of us had, at that time, no access to. They also played an important role in encouraging the Polish community in America to participate in such initiatives as collecting funds for good causes e.g. the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, a huge fundraiser organized in Poland and wherever Poles live. (The proceeds from concerts and auctions organized by the Orchestra of Christmas Charity are spent on medical equipment that saves children's lives.)

We anticipate that the closing of the Polish Radio in Pomona will create a chorus of complaints in the Polish community. It is a shame, though, that those voices were not heard earlier.

Newspapers, radio and televisions stations are all losing their audiences. Many Poles are deciding to return back to Poland. Polish businesses are less willing to advertise in the Polish-American media. There are fewer and fewer people who support the Polish mass media out of patriotism and respect for their cultural roots. The Internet and the satellite transmission of news, to a certain degree, fulfill our longing for the Polish language press. However, the news we receive from Poland does not cover local events or news. And local tabloids do not take the place of media outlets with higher standards.

The disappearance of the Polish media has consequences beyond the immediate loss to the audience. It is also a loss for Polish businesses, service points and cultural institutions, which won't have a medium in which to advertise. Our entire community will bear the consequences.

Without our own serious local media that can mobilize and motivate us, we will again lose in the eyes of American politicians. It will be more difficult to carry out actions that are important for Poland and the Polonia.