An Arlington artist with a growing involvement in civic life is planning a new project in the aftermath of Arlington Independent Media’s demise.
Wilson Bender — the Penrose-based satirist behind numerous posters poking fun at local public figures, a new zine about life in Arlington, and a pop-up art studio in Clarendon and Courthouse — has announced plans to launch “Arlington Autonomous Media,” an independently funded Roku channel with a focus on local happenings and political commentary.
“Arlington Autonomous Media plans to not only highlight, but celebrate Arlington; its people, its uniqueness, and everything else in the 26 sq. miles we all call home,” Bender wrote in a press release announcing his plans. “It’s not broadcast with its antiquated FCC regulations, and it foregoes the carriage fees attached to Cable media. It’s something new, different, unique; it’s not Public Access, it’s Arlington Access.”
Bender has a pending 501(c)(3) application for the project, which builds on the ArlingtonAF “artist collective” that he leads. He’s currently looking for volunteers with experience in fundraising, grant writing, media production and nonprofit operations, “especially out-of-work USAID employees & contractors, Doge’d feds, furloughed lawyers, high school students looking to learn, and professionals willing to teach.”
The undertaking follows the apparent end of AIM after a county audit of the organization, which used to produce public-access television and a low-power FM station but became mired in shaky finances and scandal in its final years.
Unlike AIM, Arlington Autonomous Media would not be publicly funded, nor would it be a news channel. However, Bender hopes to continue its legacy of producing television content that’s all about Arlington.
He told ARLnow he has downloaded several video recordings from AIM’s public archives and plans to repurpose them.
“Arlington didn’t lose its public access TV channel. It’s just mine, now,” he said in a video presentation last month. “While everybody was wondering about, like, funding, grant proposals, back taxes, I just went and obtained AIM’s archive.”
Bender said he is aiming to create something in between livestreaming and “overproduced television,” citing Ben Stiller’s 1990s comedy sketch show as inspiration. He plans to continue producing political commentary, “because that’s what Americans are supposed to do.”
His eclectic broadcast ideas range from commentary-filled livestreams of County Board meetings to high school sports games and “fit checks” of public figures. He’d also like to make a feature about the county’s “bike buses.”
“I want to create TV shows,” he said. “I want to have a … morning show with two hosts that tell you about the weather and stuff happening in Arlington, and every single thing they say is going to be, you know, true.”
Bender is confident it will work, he said, for two reasons: because of Roku’s nationwide presence and his “ability to be anywhere in Arlington, like, in 15 minutes” on his bicycle. He is joined by a small team including comic artist Christiann MacAuley and two former USAID employees.
Wary of AIM’s funding issues, the founder plans to finance the project through his artwork and culinary jobs in D.C., as well as potential grants and memberships.
While loose on definitions, Bender said his shows will have two cardinal rules: He will not use artificial intelligence, and he promises that his shows will never mention President Donald Trump.
“Everyone can stare at the TV and can have a Trump-free evening,” he said.
