Performance Royalties: Can Artists and Radio Get Along? Is that the right debate?

Well I have to take my hat off to Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition. The Annual Symposium in Washington, DC on November 19, 2009 was a surprising event.
Admittedly, I was skeptical about the event. I did not hear or read about the symposium until the last minute (and that's another story) while I was discussing media ownership with some students. For some reason, I was determined to make this event. Although I expected to see the usual suspects in attendance building their own brands and and supplying the masses with great rhetorical exchanges void of any tangible solution. I've come to believe like so many others that no one (the so called leaders) really care about "the people" in the way that the leaders use to do in 60's.

As I enjoyed the free breakfast at the Rainbow Push Symposium. I heard for the first time Representative John Conyers. Regardless of my position on the Performance Rights Acts, I gave my full attention to this "Warrior" of the cause for African American people. He deserves that respect and more. Representative Conyers did not go into a whole lot of this and that about the Performance Rights Act. He asked that you merely go to his website and read the information and talk to him about it later. Man I thought that is the least that I could do, no problem. He wants not to debate but find a solution.

What struck me the most about Representative Conyers was the candor in which he told the audience that they (meaning the republicans and the republican backed conservative media) are going to throw everything at President Obama in 2012. And I sat there thinking, Why in the hell are we arguing about the Performance Right Act? Whether or not the act becomes a law African Americans are losing stations and ownership at an alarming rate and there will not be a bailout. And only a few drums left in the community. TAMA Broadcasting with its 11 stations and two newspapers is now in receivership. The drum that radio once was in the African American community is slowly being silenced or bought by outside interests who can afford the price that is out of range for another African American. Who's going to lend or invest in a Black man and a media venture during this economic downturn? Newt and his gang took care of the incentive in 1995 with the repeal of the Tax Certificate policy And we are arguing about whether or not the artists should be paid for airplay on radio?

I said at the beginning of the Performance Rights debate that this is a diversion something else is happening. In my rants to people on the hill most said that another wave of consolidation is coming and lobbyists are pushing for further relaxation of the ownership rules where a corporation can own up to 12 stations in a single market. And with African American corporations losing heavily in this economic downturn, it's no wonder why lobbyists are asking for more relaxation of the ownership limits. The corporations want to gobble up the remaining African American companies that are failing. No, No, No, we gotta fight the power ! Corporations have messed up radio. Messed it up, Messed it up and Messed it up through their greed. Not just one of them, all of the radio corporations have ruined radio. They program through one silly game called "monkey see monkey do." And corporations cannot adequately supply the community with their need through this one size fits all method of programming. The corporations have robbed locals communities with their programming.

At the end of the presentations, I went to directly to Representative Conyers and said to him "I know you voted against the 1996 Telecommunications Act can this Performance Rights Act debate be spun in to a "Media Ownership" issue? Too few own Too many and they want more. I think we should put some focus on the media ownership issues. He looked at me then instructed one of his assistants to take my information. I will meet with him in the coming weeks. I am sympathetic about the PRA but media ownership in the community is something that we all need to stand up and fight for right away. Why is it that a certain group has to own everything all the time? When I think about not being able to hear the African American perspective on an African American channel or run totally by African Americans. And African American getting their news and information from sources other than themselves, I question whether that is a forward move. It looks to me like stepping backwards to a time when African Americans did not own any radio stations. Why aren't African Americans yelling about media ownership? Oh well. I guess that's my calling.

Minority Radio Ownership at a Standstill

from Richard Prince Journalism's
http://mije.org/richardprince/minority-radio-ownership-standstill

November 2, 2009

Affirmative Action Setbacks, 1996 Law Continue Toll

In the last two years, the number of commercial radio stations grew from 10,506 to 11,249.

But minority radio ownership has remained virtually flat over that time. A report released Monday found that 815 of those stations, or 7.24 percent, were minority-owned. A similar study in 2007 put the figure at 7.76 percent.

The minority population of the United States is approximately 32 percent.

The study was conducted by Catherine Sandoval, a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, partnering with Allen Hammond, also of the law school, and David Honig of the Washington-based Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, which lobbies for minority broadcast ownership.

The study's was undertaken to make recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission.

It urged the FCC to take the new figures into account when it reviews ownership rules next year. It wanted the agency to recognize that most owners of color obtained their stations before the Supreme Court restricted the FCC's ability to take race into account in awarding licenses and construction permits, and before the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which abolished limits on ownership of broadcast stations, squeezing out many smaller broadcasters.

The report noted that "74.7% of all minority-owned stations broadcasting programming air minority-oriented programming. This pattern refutes Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s assertion in Metro Broadcasting v. FCC (1990 . . .) that the proposition that minority ownership contributes to diversity is based on stereotypes. The correlation between minority radio ownership and diversity in program service is robust.

"The FCC should recognize minority broadcasters’ contributions to our nation’s democratic dialogue and analyze how its media ownership rules can ensure that minority broadcasters and the communities they serve thrive in the twenty-first century," it said.

Spanish was found to be the most popular format among minority commercial radio owners, airing on 291 or 35.7 percent of the 815 minority-owned radio stations.

Urban, African American targeted formats were broadcast on 135 minority-owned commercial stations. Six broadcast an “Urban News/Talk” format, airing a News/Talk format addressing African American community concerns, the study said.

"Nine companies controlled by Native Americans and five Native American tribal governments operate commercial radio stations programmed in a 'General market' format, primarily Country," it continued, adding that "Programming in Country also makes these stations eligible for local, national, and regional buys targeted at Country audiences, a large market since it is the nation’s second most popular format and was for decades the nation’s number one radio format."

"The study found that 324 different minority owners control the 815 full-power stations, with 139 of those Hispanic and 129 African American. Sixty-one percent of those owners own a single station," RadioInk noted on Monday.

The FCC is holding three workshops this week as it begins a congressionally mandated quadrennial review of media-ownership rules. At the first session on Monday, Michael Copps was the only FCC commissioner in attendance, John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reported.

Copps said media consolidation was likely going to continue as soon as the economy picked up, Eggerton reported.

"Copps said that there was less diversity, competition, and localism because the 'tsunami of consolidation' had eroded the underpinnings of all three, thanks in part of sloppy FCC oversight."

Despite the benefits of minority ownership cited in Sandoval's report, many critics maintain that black-owned and Spanish-owned stations can also be negative influences, citing their cutbacks of news and public affairs programming and for some, a lack of social responsibility.

“We cannot count on the owners of commercial radio, Black or White, to do the right thing by the community,” Bruce Dixon, managing editor at BlackAgendaReport.com, told the Final Call in May. “I don't see how we can stop the bleeding in Black radio, because owners don't acknowledge our people-hood. They only see us as a vessel to sell something to.”

Sometimes Life Can Be So Uncomfortable

Recently, I was blessed to have an opportunity to speak to several students at the Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications Annual Career Fair. I have been invited to participate at the career fair many times and the gist of the panel is helping to prepare the students for a future in radio.

Over the years, I have always tried to present a "hold on to your dream and learn everything" perspective. This year was really different because I know that several of the corporate companies are in a hiring freeze on talent. I wasn't much of a panelist because I don't like misleading students so I did not have much to say. The professional panelist did an outstanding job of talking about the great things that they have done personally in their respective career. While listening to the other panelists, I decided to just come out and say I don't know why anyone would want to be in "radio" today.

The job opportunities for talent are slim to none. An individual with that "special" gift of being an air personality has to really shine and be exceptional beyond measure just to get a fill-in board operator position. Maybe the best route is to learn the "sales" side. Radio belongs to the market and the advertisers. If anyone says different you are being mislead. The buzz word in radio is "branding." How many brands do you have? Talent behind the microphone means ZERO. Radio announcer positions/host positions are manned by people with an already established "brand." You can go down the list of persons on radio and find comedians, writers, singers, and musicians on the microphone.

Radio is in a "no risk" mode. The companies are dealing only with talent from other entertainment genres who already have a brand. The advertisers are comfortable with established names. The farm system that use to be college, small market and medium market radio stations are gone. I told the student on air staff at Howard. This is your last opportunity at personality radio. Make the best of it and do every show as if it were your last.

It use to be that a talent could graduate college or some broadcasting school and start a career and make a decent buck in a small market. And once that talent made a name for him/her the next step would be a larger market. That doesn't happen anymore. Especially in what is called "Urban Radio." Small and medium market stations air syndicated programs to stay alive in the market.

As I sat on the panel I wondered how long would it be before those folk on the panel would be kicked out of the game because of their age? The reality is "radio is a young man/woman's game. The present folk manning the stations today have a "limited" shelf life. There won't be another Hal Jackson 65 years and Herb Kent 60 years on the radio again. It's so bad for radio talent today that many seasoned professionals will volunteer at a non commercial station. When a station(corporation) replaces a number 1 rated show host for a syndicated program the business is no longer about local talent. Locally produced shows cost the corporate company too much or they are just too greedy.

So I did the wrong thing and tried to tell students about changing communications policy and seeking to own radio stations. Of course that did not go over to well. Most of the students thought that I was just a bitter old man and wanted to talk to the "professionals." And I understand but just remember I told you what the professional will not tell you because you are not a threat to me.

Are You Ready?

Energy and Commerce Committee
Unanimously Supports Local Community Radio Act

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Bill Moving Swiftly Toward Full House Vote With a unanimous voice vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Local Community Radio Act this morning. By repealing restrictions that drastically limit channels available to low power FM (LPFM) stations, the Act will allow hundreds of community groups nationwide to access the public airwaves. The popular, bipartisan legislation is on the fast track to becoming law. Shortly after all five FCC Commissioners reaffirmed the FCC’s longstanding support, the bill passed out of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet by a voice vote. After today’s passage out of committee, the Local Community Radio Act heads for a floor vote in the House. In his opening remarks today, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) urged his colleagues to support the bill. “As a longtime advocate of expanding low power FM radio services and the dynamic contribution they make to localism, a bedrock of our communications laws, I am pleased that the Committee is acting on this important bipartisan measure. Low power FM stations provide diverse, locally-originated programming that serves the needs of the community,” said Rep. Waxman. Lead co-sponsor Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) noted that earlier concerns about potential interference with full power stations have been addressed. “We are proud to have the support of many incumbent broadcasters for our legislation,” said Rep. Doyle. “We made changes during the subcommittee's consideration of the bill to resolve concerns from other incumbent broadcasters, and we are especially pleased that National Public Radio expressed their appreciation of these changes.” The bill has recently gained the support of its former skeptics in Congress, including Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), the only former broadcaster on the committee. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), a lead co-sponsor of the bill that originally restricted low power radio in 2000, also now supports the legislation. Hundreds of groups across the country are organizing for the opportunity to have their own radio stations. One of the most active among these is the Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP). “Our goal is to provide Chicago with a showcase for the city's diverse music and arts scenes and to cover local news stories too often overlooked by bigger media outlets,” said Shawn Campbell, President of CHIRP. “Our 140 volunteers are true believers in radio that is live, local, and truly connected to community. We are ready to start broadcasting original content around the clock as soon we are given the chance.” Advocates say that today’s vote is a call to action for supporters of local media. “We are sounding the alarm,” said Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Campaign Director at the Prometheus Radio Project. “Passage out of full committee signals that Congress is finally ready to act on local community radio. Now is the time for everyone who wants a voice in their community to urge their Congressional Representatives to support HR 1147.” article originally published at Prometheus Radio Project.

Black Radio, Dead, Gone, Intergrated and Assimilated

First of all, before anything else let me say "Thank You" to Congressman Bobby Rush for an attempt at serving the people.

When I heard that the film makers of Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio were invited to a panel at the 39th Congressional Black Caucus Convention. I was truly excited. What an opportunity for Black Americans to express their feelings about the current state of radio! After seeing the film I thought "Now is the time for all persons who care about radio to come to aid of the community and state the case against deregulation and the 96 percent of media owned by corporations headed by white males.

Boy did I get fooled! The session from the start got away from Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio as the new FCC Chairman Julius Genakowski began speaking of the virtues of Broadband. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Internet and the Internet must never fall into "corporate" hands. Corporations will undoubtedly place a toll booth everywhere on the information superhighway. What bothers me is the fact that it seems that both sides of the political fence feel that it is alright for corporations to have an unlimited ownership of radio stations. And we the people owners of the airwaves should just live and let go any ideas of owning radio. Invest and seek to program content on the Internet that's the future. If the Internet is all that give up the airwaves, but that won't happen because Radio is the most personal of all mediums that is why they(white males) want control of it and ownership of all the airwaves. We can forget about help from politicians. As my colleague always reminds me "there is not one politician who will take a chance at taking on the media."

In the session, I thought that the film would be shown and it was not. I realized then that the course of the session would be all over everywhere from Katrina to Health Care with everything in between from freeing political prisoners and what's being played on radio. Only the film makers of Disappearing Voices and Congressman Rush stayed on course with the issue of policies effecting media ownership.

Warren Ballentine was the moderator of the session. He is a brilliant man and I don't want to sound like I'm hating but I am sick and tired of "syndicated" hosts moderating media issues of the community that they contribute adversely to. For every station that airs syndicated shows 6 - 8 people lose jobs in radio. Common sense will tell anyone not to cut the hand that feeds you. As my colleague always states, one can't serve two masters.

When I told Mr. Ballentine that I think he is doing a great job but I hate syndication. He looked at me as if to say "take that up with my boss." So having a syndicated host as a moderator for an important issue regarding Disappearing Voices in Black radio doesn't seems to be moving towards revealing any solutions to the problem. It is a oxymoron. The syndicated host will protect his syndicated territory.

Also the panel was loaded with radio people. Skip Finley, Paul Porter, and Jim Winston. All of these brilliant men did not provide one solution to the people regarding freeing the airways from the supremacy of "white male ownership." Black Radio station owners were making a case for more syndication because the economic downturn is affecting their revenue. They must reduce expenses and syndication is the only way that Black Radio can survive and stay competitive with other radio stations. They want us to feel empathy for their plight while they make money, cut jobs, make us laugh, and provided no local information.

Inside the session, there were many older individuals. And judging from the comments, I am sure that many in attendance were not aware of the reasons Black Radio is in the state that it is in today. I say that because the media rarely reports on itself or the FCC. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was done through a lot of "non discussed" stealth legislation.

I would have liked to see more young people in the audience. It's their future. Media policy and ownership is something that should be presented to them. The history of Black radio and the impact that Black Radio had on the Black community is gone. It's Gone ! Martin Luther King in his 1967 Speech to radio announcers stated, "For better or worse you(radio announcers) are opinion makers of the community." No more...

I am amused when people talk about the recent power of what is termed Black Radio. Many refer to the effort that Michael Baisden made in rallying people over the Jena 6 case. Truth of the matter is this on May 9, 2007 a local journalist Jordan Flaherty editor of Left Turn Magazine was the first to bring the case to a national audience via the Internet. The Jena 6 issue hit public radio before Black Radio on Democracy Now. Black radio picked it up after the local reports of Mr. Flaherty.

And one final thought, I wish when people are at these forums that they stay on the subject. I stood in line waiting my turn to speak and time ran out. People never seem to look behind them when they get a mic in their hands they go on and on.

I left the session concluding that the minority owners are too tied in to the status quo to support any change in policy. As a result the McDonaldization of what is termed Black radio will continue. There is no more Black Radio. It's corporate radio that targets Blacks for profit. The once potent, proud, and essential communication element of the African American community is no more.

What remains now is to educate the younger generation in hopes that they find in themselves an effort to lead the fight to take radio back. The older generation is too caught up to do anything.

Just my take

Show Them So They May See !!!

From The Black Waxx Dispatch Newsletter

Disappearing Voices – The Decline of Black Radio at the Congressional Black Caucus in September 2009

NEW YORK, August 10, 2009 -- Already surrounded by an atmosphere of critical and public acclaim, Disappearing Voices – The Decline of Black Radio -the eagerly awaited documentary directed by controversial filmmaker U-Savior Washington- will be the focal point of an issue forum by the same name on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm at the Washington Convention Center in Washington , D.C. during the Congressional Black Caucus’ 39^th Annual Legislative Conference.

Congressman Bobby L. Rush has invited Disappearing Voices executive producer Iyanna Jones to participate on a panel that will address among other things the current state of Black owned radio stations, the factors that have contributed to Black Radio’s demise and what can be done to revitalize it.

While not a complete history of Black radio, Disappearing Voices – The Decline of Black Radio offers viewers a well-rounded discourse that touches on the impact of Black jocks not only on radio but also on the very fabric of American life.

Replete with rare interviews with prominent figures in American society like Melvin Van Peebles, Al Sharpton, Dr. Kristal Brent Zook, Chuck D of Public Enemy, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Kae Thompson, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets and so many others, and with air checks by famous jocks like Frankie “Hollywood” Crocker, Enoch “The Dixie Drifter” Gregory, Jocko Henderson, Hal Jackson and Eddie O’Jay, Disappearing Voices does more than examine the factors that contributed to Black radio’s demise. It is an expose, a history lesson, a memoir and a source for solutions.

Director U-Savior Washington delivers an in-depth exploration of Arbitron, advertising agencies, Black radio station owners, Black disc jockeys, and the historic inequalities that plagued Black radio and continue to overshadow the industry today as well as possible solutions for the ailing Black radio industry.

____________________________________________________________________________

The Prime Minister says this...

This film inspired me to write about the dismal state of media ownership by African Americans. Disappearing Voices is not a history of black radio. The history of black radio would take longer than 60 minutes. Disappearing Voices simply shows how Black radio has changed and tells why. If you have not saw the film purchase it and show it to your family. Get everybody talking about Disappearing Voices. Malcolm X said "The media is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the mind of the masses. "

In Case You Didn't Know - Part II

From the American Radio Relay League, Inc.

Baker, Clyburn Confirmed by Senate: FCC at Full Slate

Meredith Attwell Baker

Mignon Clyburn

On Friday, July 24, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Meredith Attwell Baker and Mignon Clyburn as FCC Commissioners. Both nominees appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on July 15 to be vetted by the 25 members of the committee. Baker and Clyburn were nominated by President Barack Obama on June 25; no date has been set for their swearing in.

Clyburn will fill the unexpired term of Republican Deborah Taylor Tate, whose tenure as a Commissioner came to a close on January 3, 2009 when the Senate failed to confirm her nomination; Clyburn's term will expire June 30, 2012. Baker will fill the unexpired term of fellow Republican and former Chairman Kevin J. Martin who resigned in January 2009; her term will expire June 30, 2011. Baker will join Robert McDowell as a Republican on the Commission. Current Commissioner Michael Copps is a Democrat, as are Chairman Julius Genachowski and Clyburn. Only three sitting Commissioners may be members of the same political party.

For much of this year, the FCC has been operating with just three commissioners. Once Genachowski was sworn in as chairman, Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, a Democrat, left the FCC. He was confirmed by the Senate as the Administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), also on July 24. Chairman Genachowski said that he is looking forward to "forging a strong partnership with Jonathan as the FCC and RUS collaborate to extend the benefits of broadband to all corners of the country."

Meredith Baker Attwell

Baker, the daughter-in-law of former Secretary of State James Baker, served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and the Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) from 2007 to January 2009. Named as Deputy Assistant Secretary in February 2007, Baker first joined NTIA as a Senior Advisor in January 2004, and also served as Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of International Affairs and on detail to the White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Baker spearheaded the coupon program for digital-to-analog converter boxes to help facilitate the transition to digital television (DTV). She has served on delegations representing the United States at major international telecommunications conferences and engaged in bilateral discussions with senior level officials from countries around the world. Before joining NTIA, Baker was Vice President at the firm of Williams Mullen Strategies where she focused on telecommunications, intellectual property and international trade issues. From 2000-2002, she held the position as Senior Counsel to Covad Communications. Before that, she was Director of Congressional Affairs at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) from 1998-2000. In the 1990s, Baker worked at the US Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit in Houston and later at the law firm of DeLange and Hudspeth. From 1990-1992, she worked in the Legislative Affairs Office of the US Department of State in Washington, DC.

In her opening statement at her confirmation hearing, Baker spoke of the need for broadband technology. "Chairman Genachowski, who is off to a great start at the FCC, gave an inspirational introductory speech to the FCC staff on the day of his arrival," she said. "He stated that the promise of technology has never been brighter and consequently, the obligations of the Commission have never been greater. I share that view. The FCC holds the keys to unleashing the power of broadband, the new media landscape and true public safety interoperability. That responsibility is challenging but the rewards will truly make a difference in the life and future of every American."

Baker reminded the Committee that Congress has directed the FCC to develop and implement a National Broadband Plan by February 2010. "This directive holds great promise for our nation," she said. "Not only do many aspects of our children's education and opportunities for lifelong learning depend on this directive, but so too does the next generation of health care delivery, smart energy grid development, and public safety interoperability. The FCC will play an important role in making sure that the right regulatory environment exists to incent companies to build out infrastructure faster, to reward innovation and investment and to encourage competition."

She also spoke about the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act that was introduced in March in the Senate; a companion bill was introduced in the House in early July: "I believe we can reap great benefits from a spectrum policy that unlocks the value of the public airwaves in more efficient, transparent and flexible ways. The Spectrum Inventory bill that this Committee marked up last week shows important leadership and is a first step to increasing wireless broadband use in innovative ways such as secondary markets, leasing, and testbeds."

Chairman Genachowski congratulated Baker on her confirmation. "Meredith is a distinguished public servant who will bring unique insight and expertise to bear in the agency's policymaking process," he said. "I enthusiastically await Meredith's arrival at the FCC and the opportunity to collaborate with her on advancing our shared goal of improving the lives of all Americans. With the full slate of Commissioners on board, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on policies that advance innovation, investment, competition and consumer interests."

Mignon Clyburn

Clyburn, the daughter of House Majority Whip Representative James Clyburn (D-SC), has served on the Public Service Commission of South Carolina since 1998. The Public Service Commission regulates South Carolina's investor owned public utilities, including providers of telecommunications services. Before her election to that body, she spent 14 years as the publisher and general manager of The Coastal Times, a weekly newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 1998, Clyburn was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as a Commissioner to represent the Sixth Congressional District; she has been re-elected three times, chairing the Commission from 2002-2004. She is a past chair of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and is presently the chair of the Washington Action Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Clyburn also serves on NARUC's Audit Committee and Utilities Market Access Partnership Board.

Clyburn told the Committee that she will "work with each member of [the Commerce, Science and Transportation] Committee to ensure that the FCC is fair, open and transparent and that it protects consumers, encourages robust competition in the marketplace and champions technological innovation."

In her opening statement, Clyburn emphasized that "We also must ensure that all Americans have access to and can make productive use of the communications tools essential to making the American Dream a reality. Most notably, by providing universal, high-speed, high-quality affordable access to broadband we can establish the essential underpinnings for enduring national prosperity."

In speaking to the Committee, she told them that she was "a strong believer in the value of collaboration within and among levels of the government," and has "witnessed first-hand the benefits of and necessity for cooperation among local, state and federal governmental agencies. These partnerships are essential to achieving a uniform and predictable regulatory environment in which technological innovation can thrive."

Clyburn said that network operators should have "reasonable tools" to control what goes over their networks. She said that whether network neutrality regulations were needed would depend on whether the market was competitive. If so, there might be no need, but if not, it warranted consideration.

"It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mignon L. Clyburn on her Senate confirmation," Chairman Genachowski said. "Mignon's deep commitment to public service, experience in state government, and entrepreneurial expertise will be invaluable assets to this agency. I enthusiastically await Mignon's arrival at the FCC and the opportunity to collaborate with her on advancing our shared goal of improving the lives of all Americans through communications. With the full slate of Commissioners on board, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on policies that promote innovation, investment, competition and consumers."

______________________________________________________________

The Prime Minister Says this,

The FCC is headed by a Democratic majority Genachowski, Coops, and Clyborn. The two Republicans are McDowell and Baker. We have seen from the recent past that the "majority rules" in the FCC. I just hope that the Democrat majority will stand strong for the public interest and the majority of American people. The FCC must be held accountable. Past decisions by the Republican majority have centered on benefiting the very people they supposedly regulate.

Change is greatly needed at the FCC too much has been done behind closed doors to benefit only a few. The public must align themselves with whatever organization they choose that advocates media reform. The only way to beat organized money is with an organized people. The media that is working today is not the best media it could be.

Each day I do not see anyone like me with their own news program. I do not see a Black owned media network. All my life, I have heard views from a majority not like me. When can I see a Meet The Press show with a Black host and 4 or 5 Black speakers/news reporters talking about today issues with a Black ideology or perspective? Right now is the time for something different.

Cathy Hughes and Radio One needs some competition from another Black owner. Then maybe the programming at their stations will change. Competition breeds better quality. We should demand more competition in media. Tell the FCC to do away with a single company owning more than 2 stations in a market. Consolidation did not improve radio for the people. Radio is the worst it has ever been even with Tom, Doug, Michael, Russ, and others. It's worst because it does not serve the local community. Now is the time to write the new FCC Commissioners especially Commissioner Clyborn she is an advocate of the public interest.

FCC Chairman Takes on Diversity

Washington, DC -- Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced key senior agency staff in the Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO) and Office of the General Counsel (OGC). These positions include: OCBO Director Thomas Reed, OCBO Senior Deputy Director Carolyn Fleming Williams, and Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer Mark Lloyd.

“The FCC must ensure that the communications field is competitive, generates widespread opportunities, and is open to new ideas from all sources,” said Chairman Genachowski. “This exceptionally talented team will collaborate on the policies and legal framework necessary to expand opportunities for women, minorities, and small businesses to participate in the communications marketplace.”

Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, Thomas Reed: Mr. Reed most recently was Of Counsel at K&L Gates LLP in Washington, DC, where his practice focused on a broad range of issues including commercial litigation, corporate governance, investment management, and civil rights. At K&L, Mr. Reed specialized in regulatory issues affecting women and minority-owned businesses. He has worked extensively with some of the nation's largest organizations that advocate for women and minority-owned business and is a regular commentator on disadvantaged business enterprise certification procedures. He has also served as Legal Counsel to the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. Before joining K&L, Mr. Reed was a Senior Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Senior Deputy Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, Carolyn Fleming Williams: Carolyn Fleming-Williams most recently served as Director of the Office of Communications Business Opportunities, FCC. During her 15-year tenure with the Commission, she has also served as a Senior Attorney-Advisor with the Media Bureau. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Fleming-Williams served as corporate counsel with the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT). She was also an associate attorney with the law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, now K&L Gates LLP. Prior to joining K&L, she was an Honors Attorney with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She has also served as President of DC Habitat for Humanity and as a Fairfax County Commissioner for Civil Service.

1

Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer, Mark Lloyd: Mr. Lloyd was most recently the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights/ Education Fund, where he oversaw media and telecom initiatives. Mr. Lloyd also has been an adjunct professor of public policy at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute and a visiting scholar at MIT, teaching communications policy. Previously Mr. Lloyd has been a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, the General Counsel of the Benton Foundation, and an attorney at Dow, Lohnes & Albertson. Before becoming a communications lawyer, Mr. Lloyd had a distinguished career as a broadcast journalist, including work at NBC and CNN.

The Prime Minister say this,

This is the most exciting news to date. To ensure that the communications field is competitive, generates widespread opportunities, and is open to new ideas from all sources,” is the start a new era. People need to know that this kind of ideology now exists at the FCC and people need to write and communicate with the FCC that they applaud this move.

In Case You Didn't Know

The Senate Confirmed Julius Genachowski as FCC Chairman:

The Prime Minister say this,

There was not much media coverage regarding the Senate confirmation of Julius Genachowski as the new FCC Chairman. His selection as the new chair signals the end to "business as usual" in the FCC. The new chair is expected to bring about change. Change that was started by acting Commissioner Michael Coops. It's vitally important for the public to understand the role of the FCC and their rights as citizens regarding the agency. As the statement of Senator Rockefeller indicates, the FCC did little for the American public and a lot for the companies they were charged to regulate.

Now is the time to educate the local communities that there is a need for change at the FCC. Malcon X said, "The media is the most powerful entity on earth." Certain people understand this power and desire to have total control of broadcast media. The FCC and the law must protect the interests of all citizens. (Absolute power corrupts absolutely) Broadcasters have selfishly been on a path of greed leaving the communities they serve bankrupt of pubic affairs, service, and information. The marketplace model will not serve public interest.

Don't take my word for it. Look and listen to the television and radio stations in your own local communities. Nothing is different. Minorities and women need equal access to media ownership through regulation. Diversity is better for a democracy when all voices can be heard and has access to delivering their own messages.

Statement of John D. Rockefeller, IV

Hearing: Nominations Hearing

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Communications technology is at the pulsing center of our new economy. For our nation to meet the challenges we face in education, health care, the environment, and to remain globally competitive, we will require top-notch communications infrastructure. Because good communications policy will lay the foundation for these noble goals, we need real expertise at the Federal Communications Commission. As I have said before, I believe that being an FCC Commissioner is one of the most difficult and most important jobs in Washington. It may also be among the most under appreciated. The powers of the FCC are vast. Its decisions impact every American.From the bills we pay for phone and cable services, to our ability to reach public safety in times of need. From the content that gets broadcast into millions of living rooms throughout America, to the broadband networks that can bring equal opportunities to our largest cities and our smallest rural hamlets – the FCC oversees it all. The decisions this agency makes are vital to our nation’s future. Because we entrust FCC Commissioners with these vast powers, we expect a lot from them. Yet over the last decade, the agency has disappointed. Too often FCC Commissioners have focused on making sure that the policies they advocate serve the needs of the companies they regulate and their bottom lines. Time and again, the FCC has shortchanged consumers and the public interest. The influence of special interests at the agency is especially troubling, even noteworthy in the distasteful way they clamor for their preferred candidates for FCC office. This is why I remain deeply interested in FCC reform. And this is why I continue to weigh the merits of FCC reauthorization. I want an FCC that is transparent, that inspires public confidence, and that makes our digital infrastructure a model for the world. Tragically, this has not been the case for some time. But if the past has been bleak, we have cause for optimism ahead. Because I have met the Administration’s nominee for Chairman and am thoroughly impressed. Mr. Genachowski brings to the job both public and private sector experience. He has enthusiasm for the power of communications. But the tasks before him are complex. The days undoubtedly will be long. So, Mr. Genachowski for your panel, let me be very clear about the challenge before you. Fix this agency, or we will fix it for you. Prove to us that the FCC is not battered beyond repair. Show us that the FCC can put consumers first and give them confidence that when they interact with the agency they will get a fair response. Show us that the American people can trust the data that the FCC produces and that it can guide us to good and honest policy. Show us that the American people can have affordable and robust broadband, no matter who they are or where they live. Show us that parents can have confidence to view programming in their homes without their children being exposed to violent and indecent content Show us that the agency can think beyond its borders, work with industry and government to create jobs, expand entrepreneurship, grow educational resources, and improve healthcare. And that’s just for starters. So let me remind you that the Congress and the American people will look to you for results. I thank you for joining us today, for your willingness to serve, and I look forward to your testimony.

Black Radio-One Tycoon Runs Republican Game

Published on Black Agenda Report (http://www.blackagendareport.com)

Black Radio-One Tycoon Runs Republican Game

by BAR executive editor Glen Ford

“Corporate predators like Cathy Hughes now claim to be the champions of small Black broadcasters.”

Early in George Bush’s first term in office, BET billionaire Bob Johnson ingratiated himself with the new president by convincing 48 other Black business people to endorse the Republican campaign against the Estate Tax. Although less than one-half of 1 percent of African Americans were wealthy enough to pay federal estate taxes, Johnson warned that the levy threatened to wipe out the first generation of Black millionaires, thus stunting the growth of capital in Black America. The claim was nonsense, but it gave “Black” political cover to the Right’s ancient jihad against what it called, the “Death Tax.” Johnson’s attempt to merge general African American interests with those of the rich white Right earned him the gratitude of President Bush, who would later commission Johnson as Black point man in the GOP assault on Social Security.

Johnson’s anti-“Death Tax” list was top-heavy with on-the-make Black media types, including Radio One founder Cathy Hughes, then a newly-minted member of the Black billionaires club. Hughes is currently running the old Bob Johnson/Republican game in an attempt to defeat the Performance Rights Act, which would require radio stations to pay royalties to performers of recordings played on the air. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), is a prime target of the National Association of Broadcasters, the immensely powerful radio and television industry lobby, and the Republican Party, which has countered with its own “Local Radio Freedom Act.”

The GOP characterizes the Performance Rights Act as a “tax” on radio, to be resisted like all other taxes – despite the fact that the royalties go to performing artists, not government coffers. But it is Cathy Hughes’ mission to give greed and right-wing politics a “Black” angle– just as Bob Johnson did with the Estate Tax and Social Security. In one of the most crude, down-and-dirty campaigns in Black radio history, Hughes charges that the Performance Act threatens to destroy Black radio. Through the megaphone of her 50-plus stations (she once owned 70), Hughes lashes out at Conyers’ colleagues on the Congressional Black Caucus who are co-sponsors of the bill (“these black elected officials continue to ignore the imminent danger to black media ownership”), Conyers’ wife (who has been indicted for illegal conduct in totally unrelated circumstances), and even Dionne Warrick (who “nobody is playing,” anyway, hisses Hughes).

“Cathy Hughes’ mission to give greed and right-wing politics a 'Black' angle.”

In a letter to station listeners (“my Radio One family”), Hughes claims Rep. Conyers’ (“our 80 year old African-American Congressman”) bill would “murder” Black-owned radio by putting “many black owned radio stations out of business. And force others to abandon their commitment to provide free music, entertainment, news, information, and money losing formats like gospel and black talk.” The message is a wonderment of sheer gall, wild hyperbole, and a kind of audience abuse and blackmail.

The relative pittance in artist royalties required by the Performance Rights Act would have virtually no impact on the solvency of Hughes’ radio empire, the fifth largest chain in the nation, which recently awarded Hughes’ CEO son, Alfred Liggins, a $10 million bonus. The legislation already delays and minimizes the effect on small radio stations (billing less than $5 million a year). Hughes' threat to withhold “free…news” is at once hilarious and profoundly dishonest. Radio One does not do news, just like its main competitor in the Black-formatted radio market, Clear Channel. In this regard and many others, the two corporations are identical. As products of feverish corporate consolidation unleashed through wholesale deregulation of the industry in 1996, both chains are responsible for the “murder” of local Black radio, as I wrote in a the May 29, 2003 article, “Who Killed Black Radio News?”:

“In the process, Black ‘stand-alone’ stations, typically operated by businesspeople with longstanding roots in the community, have been forced out - or have cashed out. News has most often been jettisoned in favor of 'talk' - the seductive format that ranges from quality syndications that do have value to a national audience but provide little to sustain local struggles, to vapid, 'barber shop'-type offerings, eclectic blocks of time filled with chatter, signifying nothing.”

“Hughes' message is a wonderment of sheer gall, wild hyperbole, and a kind of audience abuse and blackmail.”

It is laughable, and yet also deeply sad, that corporate predators like Cathy Hughes, who grew fat and arrogant by systematically snuffing out and buying up local Black broadcasting, now claim to be the champions of small broadcasters. (As do her Republican allies, with their “Local Radio Freedom Act.”) Hughes seems to threaten to pull out of “free” Black broadcasting if she has to pass on a small royalty to performers, as is the law in every other developed country. Folks need to call Hughes' bluff, and dare her to divest her Black radio interests, the source of her fortune. Black radio is a very profitable format, due largely to the unique loyalties of Black audiences. It is this loyalty that Hughes attempts to harness to her corporate, Republican-led campaign against the Performance Rights Act.

With a monopoly on the mass Black media microphone in many cities (literally), Hughes wields her broadcasting licenses as weapons to threaten Black congresspersons elected by citizens in “her” markets. Hughes has targeted Mel Watt (D-NC), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Bobby Scott (D-VA) and other Black co-sponsors of the Conyers bill. If, as reported, Hughes has run negative commercials attacking Performance Act supporters on her radio stations and refused to sell airtime to proponents of the Act, she is in violation of not only Federal Communications Regulations but also federal restraint of trade laws. Sean Glover, a spokesman for Music First, a coalition of performer royalty advocates, told BAR that legal action is contemplated against Hughes.

“Hughes wields her broadcasting licenses as weapons to threaten Black congresspersons.”

A recent issue of the congressional newspaper The Hill reported that the NAACP has called for a “truce” between Black Caucus members and Cathy Hughes (“Bitter feud between black radio, CBC over royalties,” July 27). The headline is somewhat misleading. At its national convention in New York, last month, the NAACP enthusiastically endorsed the Conyers bill, declaring:

"H.R. 848 is the only source of income for many older performers. They didn’t write the songs – but they brought them to life. Without the performers, these songs would be nothing but words on a page. And for many of them, radio performances are their only source of potential income. Therefore be it resolved that the NAACP endorses and supports H.R. 848, The Civil Rights for Musicians Act of 2009 and call on the NAACP units and members throughout the country to contact its Congressional members and Senators and the President of the United States to pass this measure into law so America’s performers can receive the respect they so long deserve."

In Detroit, where Radio One and Clear Channel battle it out with identical formats and a common non-news policy, local NAACP president Rev. Wendell Anthony called a news conference to demand Hughes “stop [her] dishonest attacks.” Rev. Anthony charged that “Conyers and other members of the CBC have been the target of a vicious smear campaign spearheaded by Big Radio corporations and CEOs who refuse to pay royalties to African-American musicians and performers.”

The supposed “split” among Black “leaders” over this issue is also an illusion, although one that calls into question the very nature of what passes for “leadership” in Black America. Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have sided with Radio One – or more accurately, with the commercial broadcasting industry and Republicans in Congress. Nothing could be less surprising. Jackson and Sharpton are radio performers whose radio shows exist at the whim of Cathy Hughes or her counterparts at Clear Channel and other corporate chains. The two media reverends have come to more resemble corporate products, captives of broadcast boardrooms, than popular leaders.

“Jackson and Sharpton are radio performers whose radio shows exist at the whim of Cathy Hughes or her counterparts.”

The road to the current Black political wasteland, where a broadcaster can bully the Black Caucus and align herself with Republicans with impunity – began with the gradual extinction of local newsrooms at Black radio stations. Thirty-five years ago, virtually every Black radio station employed at least one newsperson to cover local events. In Washington, D.C. in 1973, three Black-oriented radio stations fielded 21 reporters – a full-fledged local Black radio news corps. Black newsrooms identified and gave voice to new activists through a medium that reached virtually the entire community. In a sense, Black radio acted as an incubator of Black leadership.

Taking news for granted, African Americans invested their political capital in demands for increased Black broadcast ownership. It was simply assumed that more Black owners would naturally translate into more and better Black radio news and community services. But the impulse to cut news and services and join the corporate herd came much more naturally to many Black entrepreneurs. A few got rich, like Cathy Hughes, but Black people as a whole have been poorly served by this class. In the absence of local news on Black commercial radio, the political life of the community withered across Black America. We have now arrived at the pitiful state in which media-based “leaders” are compelled to line up behind a corporate boss woman to support a right-wing Republican bill that would deny royalties to Black performers.

“The impulse to cut news and services and join the corporate herd came much more naturally to many Black entrepreneurs.”

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), as an institution, contributed to this sorry state of affairs, by its historical fixation on Black media ownership even as businesspeople like Hughes turned their holdings into news-free zones for private enrichment. Now the monster has turned on the Caucus.

The following CBC members are co-sponsors, with John Conyers, of the Performance Rights Act:

Yvette Clarke [D-NY]

Emanuel Cleaver [D-MO]

Marcia Fudge [D-OH]

Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX]

Eddie Johnson [D-TX]

Henry Johnson [D-GA]

Eleanor Norton [D-DC]

Bennie Thompson [D-MS]

Edolphus Towns [D-NY]

Diane Watson [D-CA]

We shall see how many members scurry to get out of Cathy Hughes’ way.

BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com.

_______________________________________________________________________

The Prime Minister says this.

There is a lot of focus on Cathy Hughes and Radio One. While I do not support the business practices of the media company. I think and agree that it is a good thing to hold Radio One accountable for it's programming practices. Malcom X said"The media's is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses." I am happy to see that some in the community is paying attention to what is being aired.

While many are unleashing harsh criticism on Radio One, that too is being used against us. It's divide and conquer. The performance rights issue is being used as a wedge to split and fragment the Black community even more. While I sympathize with the performance rights issue. I do not agree with the creative community that radio should pay performance rights. My disagreement is not because of the cries of Cathy Hughes. I disagree because no one has come with the actual value of what it means to have music played on the air.

The performance rights issue a diversionary tactic to keep the focus off the real issue of media ownership. The public everywhere is dissatisfied with the role of radio. 96 percent of all radio stations are owned by "white males" who have a Republican agenda. This is bigger than Cathy Hughes. The media will not hold a mirror to itself. It's going to take people telling the FCC and the elected officials to make changes. The most important issues are "imposing" ownership limits in the local area. The present limits should be reduced to 1 AM and 1 FM in a market. Bigger media is not better media. Another important issue is reducing the term limits on the license of a radio station from 8 to 3 years. The public should not have wait so long to challenge a station that is not meeting the needs of the community. More diversity of ownership will bring better radio to the airwaves.

Our people need to be educated about the media and what we can do to change it. We do not have time to choose sides. The FCC media ownership review happens in 2010. What's up with that?

Local Warrior's Joyous Celebration

He became known as Reverend Leonard Barr. I knew him as Terry. I remember when he arrived in the neighborhood on 58th Street and Normal Blvd. He was one who was never at a loss for words. He had an answer for everything and could almost do anything. Terry came to love the Englewood neighborhood where he spent a good portion of his younger years.

Reverend Leonard T. Barr was the same guy, I knew as child growing up on Normal Boulevard. Despite all his success in whatever arena he ventured in. I still called him Terry and treated him like the childhood buddy we grew up as. I last saw him at our neighborhood picnic in Sherwood Park in August of 2008. Terry died July 30th 2009. He was 56 years year young.

When I managed Kennedy-King College's radio station WKKC, Reverend Barr was on fire for the Secretary of State Jesse White and started a radio program "Report to the People. When he came to me with the idea. I had reservations. I was more interested in the benefits towards the students. Reverend Barr assured me that the experience would be like an internship and that the students would learn something. Needless to say the Report to the People program became a success and the student I assigned to the program went on to work for National Public Radio. It was a win win situation. And that's how things happened with Terry throughout his life he tried to make a win win situation for everything and everyone he came in contact with.

At his home going celebration, everyone spoke of the win win situations Terry contributed in their lives too. Those who paid their respects came across all denominational lines and from varied occupations. Media personnel included Cliff Kelly, Marv Dyson, Pam Morris, and Herb Kent. Political figure Dorothy Brown and state official Dr. Damon Arnold knew Reverend Leonard Barr and spoke highly of this wonderful man. The mayor of Chicago also sent his condolences through Reverend Vance Henry.

The music in the service was festive and spiritual as Loretta Oliver, The Barrett Sisters, Calvin Bridges Otis Clay and Diane Williams elevated our spirits through song. Each of the artists in their own way added something powerful to the service. The clergy showed great respect for their sleeping brother with class and dignity. All the ministers on the program did their parts graciously. Bishop William Ellis represented the clergy that brought everyone to agreement about the life of Reverend Barr. He was good soldier.

The remarks of the one an only Reverend Henry O. Hardy brought a roar from the pews as he exclaimed that Reverend Barr had to exceed the standard set by his name. Reverend Hardy has a uncanny way of delivering his message professorial yet simple. The Host pastor Reverend Charles Jenkins said it best of Pastor Hardy's style, "he comes at you though Websters dictionary and every day language at the same time."

All of this set the stage for the family to pay tribute to Reverend Barr. His uncle Reverend Jacob Barr revealed the story of a young Leonard in childhood who took a spanking to keep from going to sleep. Then his son Reverend Emanuel Barr talked about a great lesson that he learned from his Dad. He said I get it now Dad. One has to be merciful too.

Finally, his spiritual father and mentor Reverend Clay Evans provided us with a eulogy to take home to anyone who is without Christ. Reverend Clay said Jesus is the Stimulus. He paid it all. During the eulogy by Reverend Evans other pastors in the audience took out pens and were taking notes. What great respect for the Reverend Evans a great man the God.

And I believe Leonard was happy with the service. People were joyously celebrating the life of a man who served God and served God's people. Though absent from the body his presence is with the Lord. I wonder what Terry is trying to tell God. I hope he is not complaining about his inability to catch a softball. Leonard was very talented in many ways but he couldn't hold on to softball to save his life and he played first base that's what I remember most about Terry.


God Bless You.. Peace be unto you

The Prime Minister

Reflections on the GMWA - GAG Convention

Before I decided to write about the Gospel Announcer's Guild annual Convention, I really had to take into consideration the impact of the economic downturn and its affect on the industry and radio announcers in general.

Many of the nation's most notable gospel announcers and programmers were surprisingly absent, among the no shows were Larry Tinsley from Atlanta, Lee Michaels from Baltimore, and Michael Adrian Davis from Memphis. In addition, there was a noticeable absence of Radio One personnel and personalities from the Sheridan Gospel Network. In a time when announcers should be uniting together it's seems that we are drifting apart.

The reality is that Gospel Announcers and Announcers in general have lost control of the craft. There was a time when local radio announcers meant something to their employers and the community. Legendary announcer and programmer Lucky Cordell states "employers thought twice about replacing a popular announcer." Now the announcer is replaceable, the music industry and advertisers dictate to the stations and management the music and personality. There is a new business model that radio operates under today.

Unfortunately, for many who chose to become a radio announcer with the dream of a lifelong career, that will not happen. Radio is for the young man or woman for a limited time. Local radio is slowly and systematically being replaced by syndicated hosts. And it's ironic that many in the business celebrate radio syndication as success while at the same time the death toll of the local announcer rises.

I can remember attending a GAG Convention and hearing the "mantra" of learning and practicing the techniques of "real radio" to elevate your status. Then you find out that even with improvements to your craft and execution you were being replaced through syndication by a gospel artist or comedian.

This year's GAG Convention with the theme "No More Excuses" provided some thought provoking panel discussions about several issues facing radio today. However many of the real issues affecting the radio personality were not brought up for example "Why can't we(gospel announcers) select the music anymore? Many of the panel discussions were slanted towards the artist perspective with the final day devoted partly to radio. Even the HR 848 Performance Rights issue was dominated by "the creative side" or artist perspective. One of the panelists felt the discussion was one-sided because there was not a voice from radio to speak on their perspective. For radio announcers in gospel there is still fog in the air about how the PPM (Portable People Meter) is affecting Gospel radio, however inside the room there was no discussion. And the issue of broadcast ownership surfaced but was not explored deeply.

Of course several artists came in the room to says thanks. Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Kurt Carr, Byron Cage and Maurette Brown Clark were among those that stopped by. And several indpendent artist performed well during the praise breaks. One artist in particular Pastor Seon Thompson laid everybody out in room and outside the room as he ministered powerfully singing I'm Out.

There was a refreshing twist to the final day of the convention as Al Hobbs reached out to the membership for their comments and suggestions for the 40th Celebration of the GAG in 2010 in Cincinnati. We hope that the will of the people is answered in 2010. All in all the 40th year gathering looks to be a great celebration of the accomplishments of the most overlooked of all radio announcers. The Gospel Radio Angel.

The Prime Minister.

What's Going On ?

Recently, the opening lyrics of Marvin Gaye's Classic song "What's Going On" have been on my mind. In Chicago over the weekend news of violence, violence and more violence dominated the top stories and the violence continued during the week with a UPS driver being shot in an attempted robbery. In the past two years nearly 40 innocent teenagers have lost their lives.
What's Going On?

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.

What's Going On? Donnie Hathaway's Live Version is echoing in my mind too. Where is the good music on the radio when it's needed? Where is radio when you need it? The current wave of violence is not as important as the Jena 6? Oh, you mean death to innocent young people is not enough for Steve, Tom, Doug, Rickey and other syndicated show hosts to talk about. Radio being all over everywhere at the same time makes radio very ineffective in the local situations of Chicago, Detroit, Washington, Cleveland, and other metro areas because their focus has to be on national issues and millions of listeners. And no one in the local communities ever complains that they can't even hear the correct time mornings on the radio? The radio host always gives the time as so many minutes after the hour. A blind person listening to the radio will never know the correct time of day.

Whats Going On? The local issues are gone!

Back in the day, WVON the Black Giant, had a series of public service announcements called "Operation Crime Stop." They were only one minute in length and helped to stop some of the nonsense that occurred in the Black Community of Chicago. Radio cared then. Today the life or well being of a listener is not worth 60 seconds. Wow, look how far we have fallen.

One day last week a former student of mine wrote "Black Homicide is a pandemic in our communities and it needs to stop. We have died in vain long enough and I am sick of it. This country was built on the Blood, Sweat, and Tears of our ancestors. Everytime I read a story of the senseless violence in the black communities it makes me wonder, why? Everytime we do something ignorant that hurts the whole community I wonder, why? We need this crap to stop. It starts with the man or woman in the mirror then our families and communities.

Black Radio and Radio take a good look at yourself.

The Prime Minister.

Professor Miles Selected for Christian Tabernacle Gospel Supreme Gold Star Award

A pleasant surprise arrived by mail from the Christian Tabernacle Church where the Reverend Maceo L. Woods is the Founder and Pastor. It was a letter of Congratulations as a receipent of the 2009 Gospel Supreme Gold Star Award. The last thing on my mind was receiving an honor in my hometown. Oh but Thanks be to God from whom all blessings flow. The last time I was recognized in Chicago was in 2000 and this selection is one that I will cherish becasue it speaks directly to my heart. "Your example of faithful and dedicated labor of love in the ministry has glorified God and edified God's people."

The Gospel Supreme will take place on Monday, September 21, 2009 at Christ Universal Temple, 119th and Ashland Avenue at 8:00 PM. Words can't describe how I feel. I give all glory to God.

Fight for Performance Royalities or Media Ownership?

Radio One Gets Heat For No-Show At Panel

Congress Daily PM, Judiciary

Thursday, July 9, 2009
by Andrew Noyes

Radio One, the largest U.S. minority-owned media company, came under fire from the House Judiciary Committee today for refusing to testify at a hearing billed as a forum to examine plummeting advertising revenues, increased media consolidation and pending legislation that would end a long-standing copyright royalty exemption for over-the-air radio, which broadcasters oppose.

Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and others scolded Radio One founder Cathy Hughes and her son, CEO Alfred Liggins, for being no-shows.

Other critics of the bill who Conyers said snubbed him include National Action Network President Rev. Al Sharpton; Rainbow Push Coalition President Rev. Jesse Jackson; syndicated radio host Tom Joyner; and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council's David Honig.

Judiciary Courts and Competition Policy Subcommittee Chairman Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said broadcasters were invited to weigh in on the bill before it passed the committee in May, but their unwillingness to offer performers any compensation is unreasonable since Internet, cable and satellite services all pay.

Conyers and Judiciary ranking member Lamar Smith had amended the legislation to appease critics by delaying its enactment date and reducing the amount of fees radio stations would have to pay.

Their changes also directed the Copyright Royalty Board to consider the impact of their rate-setting on religious, noncommercial, minority-owned, and female-owned broadcasters.

They asked GAO to complete by November a study that would examine the bill's effects, particularly on minority, female and religious stations.

Liggins called today's hearing "misguided and disingenuous." He said he backed out as a witness after learning Conyers would focus on the royalty bill and had invited a supporter of the measure, R&B Foundation Chairman Kendall Minter, to testify.

"I'm not going to sit there and get beat up," Liggins said in a phone interview. Broadcasters urged the committee to hold a minority-specific hearing before marking up the bill but they were rebuffed, he added. That is when Radio One instructed its on-air talent at several stations in Conyers' congressional district to take to the airwaves in opposition.

Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, and Melvin Watt, D-N.C., tried to temper the royalty bill rhetoric by appealing to broadcasters who were not present. "We still love you, you are still our constituents, and we still believe in what you do for our communities," Jackson Lee said.

Watt added he was "not inclined to box with shadows" and wanted to concentrate on the stated purpose of the hearing, which faced a lengthy delay due to floor votes.

Minter was joined at the witness table by Media Access Project President Andrew Jay Schwartzman, Arbitron CEO Michael Skarzynski and National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters Executive Director James Winston.

The Prime Minister says,
While I am not a fan of the business practices(syndication) of Radio One, I do think that calling a hearing: "Trends Affecting Minority Broadcast Ownership" and then making a focus on the Performance Rights Act is a bit disingenuous and an outright ambush. The politicians on the hill need to focus on the issues affecting media ownership.

Media Access Project President Andrew Jay Schwartzman testified,

Here are several of the most important things:

Reimpose limits on national radio ownership and strengthen existing caps on local and national broadcast ownership.

Reduce the license term to three years and enforce meaningful rules. This will create opportunities for minorities to obtain the licenses that will be forfeited.

Restore the tax certificate policy which was repealed in 1994.

Grant the pending application of Robert Johnson’s innovative Urban Television proposal, which would allow vastly increased minority ownership of digital TV multicast streams.

Enact HR 1147, which will expand the low power FM radio service and serve as a platform for training for a new generation of minority radio broadcasters.

I could not agree more.

As much as I want to help the artists/musicians I can't because what the performers and musicians want will only benefit the artists/musicians and not the community as a whole. The issue for me is more minorities being able to own a radio station. Musicians and performers are being just as self centered as radio. It's like the pot calling the kettle black. The argument by the performers and musicians is "The internet, cable and satellite radio stations already pay performance fees to artists." Therefore AM/FM radio should do so to. However, it seems to me that the argument overlooks the fact that these services(cable, satellite, and Internet) have a subscription fee. It doesn't cost these broadcaster anything because the consumer pays upfront. The Temptations sang "Don't let the Jones Get You Down."

Media ownership is the real issue where the focus should be and fight waged. The folks in Washington, DC messed up with the passage of The Telecommunications Act of 1996. Incidentally, the Telecommunication Acts was the most lobbied bill in history. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 is real culprit. Too few own too many. This act allowed unlimited media ownerships which is the real enemy to democracy and diversity.

Radio One and other Black media corporations are caught in the middle of a game they simply can't win. In order for their companies to stay alive during the economic down turn and lack of advertiser revenue, they must syndicate programming. It's terrible but because of the lending and banking systems Black owners must turn profits daily or lose their stations. Losing more minority owners is not acceptable. Did you know that there was a move for an increase in local ownership limits to 10 and 12 in a market?

And on the other hand, I have not heard or seen from one of the supporters of HR 848 anything about the state of media ownership being an important issue. More diversity in the media ownership landscape including females will be more beneficial to everyone including the musicians and performers. With more diverse owners more people can have an opportunity for employment and more opportunities for new music to be played.

At one time an announcer could lose his job on one station and be hired on another station in the same city. Today an announcer loses his job and 9 out of 10 time the company that fired him owns the station where he is seeking employment.

©1997 Bobby Ocean®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Conyers should continue the fight he waged in 1996 as he voted against the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The FCC needs to be held accountable for the mess it created. The dismal state of minority and female ownerships need be addressed and solutions provided. The fight for equal access to media ownership is far more important to democracy and diversity. As Media Access Project Andrew Schartzman testified "A more diverse marketplace of ideas creates a more democratic society. Frankly, minorities know a lot more about the lifestyle, customs and traditions of the majority white culture than white people know about minority cultures. In short, I need widespread minority ownership at least as much as minorities do.


The Prime Minister.