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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.