I don't really know how much good it will do but I made a comment to the FCC about the proposed relaxation of the media ownership rules. For over a decade proponents for further deregulation of the media ownership rules argue that they will fair better if the regulation regarding cross ownership is removed . They(broadcasters) claim that they are losing money and to survive they need to own a radio station, newspaper, and television station (1996 Deja Vu). In their arguments for deregulation, I have not seen or heard of any benefits to the people who own the airwaves? Will there be better programming, competition, employment, and ownership opportunity? Evidence (media consolidation) shows exactly the opposite, no benefits to the people who actually own the airwaves. Not to mention that the largest radio company in America is owned by a private equity firm. It seems that the FCC (For Corporate Control) only cares about the broadcasters making more money and the public not receiving a better service and space for new voices (minorities and women) to be heard. You can read my comment here..... http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022092170.
It was amazing as broadcasting colleagues in Chicago related to me their new found awareness of the broadcasting industry "man you told us about this stuff happening in radio was going to happen" referring to the nationwide lay-offs of several radio staffers and personalities by the media companies. I shrugged my shoulders and said "Amen."
If we are not vigilant on media ownership, the African American community will find that there will be no messages brought to us by us. And that is a very scary reality to our culture and a threat to our voice in this democracy. Another sad reality is that several high ranking African Americans in the industry know of certain things and are powerless to do or say anything about it.
Many displaced radio personalities have relocated to the Internet. And many people claim the Internet which is marvelous levels the media landscape but I wonder about that claim. If that were so, why isn't the industry running to the Internet and giving back the frequencies? And why isn't the law being changed to move broadcasters toward Internet Broadcasting? Well the Internet has limitation as far as simultaneous listeners. Now my commentary is not intended to start a war with Internet broadcasters however, the reality is that it takes a tremendous amount of "bandwidth" to have as many simultaneous listeners. And "bandwidth" is costly. A radio "transmitter" is cheaper and can serve 6,000,000+ listeners at the same time.
I think the LOSS of LOCAL voice is the WORST tragedy in the African American community or any community for that matter. DJ personalities were once "somebody" in the community! Now a DJ is ? Well hell even I don't know.
I was at a party with the family and "Pandora" the automated music service was playing. Ah the music was okay but Pandora could not feel the people in room. I took out my computer and hooked it up and the first song I played ROCKED the house. Before the night ended folk was asking me to do their parties. Talent cannot be programmed into a computer.
And my last point, I was listening to a syndicated show and after a few minutes I got so mad that I turned the radio off in the car off. Chicago has had over 500 murders (deaths), and the host of the syndicated show was focusing on something not remotely related to the Chicago Area. With that I quit listening and decided it's time to fight for what I want hear on radio and stop consuming the menu that the broadcasters serve. If "radio" does not show some concern for the people of the immediate community they serve and provide local content I won't listen anymore. And the advertisers need to know that too... They are the ones that control radio...
Happy New Year...
PS if you have not seen the Documentary CORPORATE FM -- Get the DVD
http://www.fmfilm.com/
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