Think Progress

Lack of diversity in radio ownership.

New study by Free Press finds that has “the first accurate tally of female and minority-owned radio stations in America” and “chronicles how failed FCC policies and practices have kept women and people of color off the radio dial.” Read the report HERE.

chartradio.gif

The report also notes that no minority-owned stations aired “Imus in the Morning” at the time of its cancellation, and such stations were “were significantly less likely to air ‘The Rush Limbaugh Show.’”



50 Responses to “Lack of diversity in radio ownership.”

  1. stopthecons says:

    this is just how the FCC and the government works. They regulate and regulate and regulate and regulate…..and it eventually becomes so expensive to broadcast on “public” airwaves that the only ones who can afford it are the mega-corporations we have now…..and what does that lead to? well, that’s pretty obvious.


  2. Jay Randal says:

    I’m not Jay Randal!


  3. Jay Randal says:


  4. bill says:

    i think a discussion of how race/sex/ethnicity actually inform expression (and by extension, journalism) is necessary before we claim that this is a serious problem……

    identity politics? dead.


  5. JPV says:

    Hmmm… since when are Jews a part of the majority?


  6. profmarcus says:

    why should the fcc encourage diversity in media ownership when the government is attempting to reduce diversity in voting…? that would be hypocritical…

    And, yes, I DO take it personally


  7. Zooey says:

    Well, Bill O’Reilly and John McCain should be relieved….


  8. kelso says:

    Wow. I’m so surprised! Why I’m gonna call up my….zzzzzzzzzzzzz….


  9. imorgan82 says:

    @ 6 – Since this is a tally by race, religion doesn’t deserve a separate slot. If you would like to consider Jewish people a race, I will have to call you a bigot.

    Props to TP for throwing up a control figure. You guys are getting better here (even though its taken from elsewhere). Still, a more appropriate comparison would be this data to a general percentage of business ownership by race. I think that figure would point out that this is not strictly a media issue, but a more general one


  10. Kevin says:

    I’ts called a FREE MARKET. No one is stopping any minority from starting or buying radio stations. or producing shows.


  11. Tom3 says:

    Repuke troll thinks theres a free market in the media.

    LOL! What an inbred idiot.

    There is no way a small minority-owned company can compete with the handful of companies that now own nearly all of our media.

    Only a delusional idiot would think that’s a free market. It isn’t.


  12. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    Tom3,

    If they can’t compete, the government doesn’t need to chime in. The world of Business is tough. Eliminating competition through Government intervention makes it worse for consumers (or listeners) who want choice, and it is called socialism. You couldn’t change the owners of a company to suit your liking, so you’ll just have to accept it.

    Minorities have thriving and remarkable opportunities to compete in the radio industry, but competing itself is not easy. Little competition can mean a poor product.

    Advocating the removal of Rush and Imus from the air is practically taking away that choice from eager listeners, and is called socialism. Socialists don’t want a diversity of viewpoints.


  13. CaptainMantastic says:

    The report also notes that no minority-owned stations aired “Imus in the Morning” at the time of its cancellation, and such stations were “were significantly less likely to air ‘The Rush Limbaugh Show.’”

    Why doesn’t TP explore the bigotry displayed by minorities that own radio stations and their unwillingness to air these white talk-show hosts?


  14. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    Comment by CaptainMantastic

    Because they hate diversity of opinion. That’s why they just deleted my post even though it contained no obscenities or other infractions.


  15. Bluedog49 says:

    Captain, since Limbaugh is still the most widely syndicated talk radio show in America, and a white guy, his failure to penetrate a few minority-owned stations would hardly seem to be a problem. Does that make any sense to you?

    Kevin, why do people like you support the concept of a “Free Market” with issues like this, but fight against the concept of a “Free Market” with respect to people pooling their resources to bargain for lower drug prices? Could it be that you are only in favor of the concept when it seems to benefit you politically?


  16. Bluedog49 says:

    Comptroller: “Advocating the removal of Rush and Imus from the air is practically taking away that choice from eager listeners, and is called socialism.”

    No. Socialism is when the government controls the means of production. The term “socialism” has nothing to do with censorship.


  17. CaptainMantastic says:

    Bluedog. you’re saying it’s not a problem that whites are being refused opportunity, but it is a problem if minorities are denied opportunity? Why?


  18. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    Comment by Bluedog49

    Because importing drugs may not be safe. The FDA has stated that they cannot confirm foreign drugs to be safe. The prospect of contaiminated drugs can lead to even more expensive problems, so sticking to domestic drugs will have to work for now.


  19. CaptainMantastic says:

    Does it indicate a problem of diversity, if 90% of blacks are affiliated with one political party? Shouldn’t republicans be concerned about their lack or access to black radio listeners. Shouldn’t minorities be given the opportunity of exposure to all points of view, so they can make up their own minds?


  20. Bluedog49 says:

    Captain: “Bluedog. you’re saying it’s not a problem that whites are being refused opportunity, but it is a problem if minorities are denied opportunity? Why?”

    Good question. The answer is that white guys already enjoy media saturation. The problem is not that we have a dearth of conservative white guys on the air. The problem is that we have very few alternative viewpoints. Now, if you don’t think that’s a problem, fine, but I do. And, of course, minorities are already given the opportunity of exposure to conservative view, since most of the air is filled with that. Don’t underestimate the intelligence of African-American voters. They know very well which party best represents their interests.


  21. Bluedog49 says:

    Comptroller, if safety were the issue, we would have expected to see health problems among the population in Canada due to unsafe pharaceuticals, but we haven’t.


  22. bill says:

    “There is no way a small minority-owned company can compete with the handful of companies that now own nearly all of our media”

    do small, minority-owned companies actually want to compete with the conglomerates?

    i sure wouldn’t.


  23. CaptainMantastic says:

    They know very well which party best represents their interests.

    How hard does the democratic party have to work if they know, no matter what, they can count on 90% of the black vote.

    If blacks would put their votes in play, democrats might have to deliver more than just rhetoric.

    While republicans have had a black secretary of education, have a black supreme court justice, not one, but two secretaries of state; democrats are still pondering whether their candidate (Obama) is black at all.


  24. Zooey says:

    …democrats are still pondering whether their candidate (Obama) is black at all.
    Comment by CaptainMantastic

    That’s not true. What Dem has said that?


  25. CaptainMantastic says:

    As much as his biracial identity has helped Obama build a sizable following in middle America, it’s also opened a gap for others to question his authenticity as a black man.

    http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1584736,00.html


  26. Karim says:

    Why am I surprised? This is an administration that never had the interests of women and minorities at it core. Only the corporations.


  27. Joneser says:

    19 & 22 Speaking as a black male, to further that point… last time I checked with my windows rolled down during the day in my car… blacks and latino’s aren’t listening to the AM bandwidth!!!

    Next, i listen to talk radio because i enjoy it and they constantly have differing opinions day in and day out maybe but for Limbaugh…and to take a page from the libs who hate on conservatives complaining about the crap on television, turn the dial… I mean am i supposed to start looking for the UNfairness doctorine to be implemented on college professors, authors, playwrights, hollywood and the New York Times? My principals and opinions aren’t based my color, sexuality, or creed… I try to determine does it work, has it worked, and does it work for me through analytical thinking and observation. And Lord knows (forgive me secular Liberals who i might of offended) I have heard plenty of ignorant ideas on FM by minority owned or DJ’d shows and white ones too….

    But here is my one question… why is it that if the liberal’s main obsession is conservative talk radio and the companies that air them and make money… why don’t they just go ahead and run their own on shows on the FM dial when basically they already do when speaking on social issues and current events and the callers?

    If it wasn’t a good show people wouldn’t tune in. Let people decided. Otherwise after socially liberal Desperate Houswives is over ABC should air the socially conservative Satiated Houswives.


  28. Joneser says:

    27….
    Oh and Bill Clinton administration did when he showed up at the corner AME Baptist church down the street during campaign time?
    Are you serious?

    Nevermind minority owned small businesses especially black increased under the Bush administration. Oh but wait… they will be beat down by you guys once they become too big by supplying the public something they want and they do it better than anyone else.


  29. CaptainMantastic says:

    Karim. I will admit that democrats are interested in minorities; interested in keeping them on the plantation.

    If blacks were seriously interested in representation, sit out an election or better yet, vote for a republican. Guess what the first question democrats will ask after the election. “What can we do to regain the black vote?”


  30. Joneser says:

    30
    Captain… here here…
    Blacks are socially conservative as is, bottom line… gay marriage?! abortion?! The roll of religion in our lives?! sex and its roll in society? and I am speaking of the silent majority of us who aren’t caught up trying to live a Hip Hop video day in and day out.


  31. Alejandro says:

    #

    Does it indicate a problem of diversity, if 90% of blacks are affiliated with one political party? Shouldn’t republicans be concerned about their lack or access to black radio listeners. Shouldn’t minorities be given the opportunity of exposure to all points of view, so they can make up their own minds?

    Comment by CaptainMantastic — June 5, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

    Sorry, but that’s pretty bad logic. It doesn’t take much to merely be affiliated with a political party and no political party that I know of restricts access to anyone.

    Also, anyone, minority or not, can easily listen to the radio. If they don’t like what they hear from Rush or Hannity, then they probably will turn it off. So Republican talk radio already has “access” to black listeners. They just don’t want to listen.


  32. Alejandro says:

    #

    As much as his biracial identity has helped Obama build a sizable following in middle America, it’s also opened a gap for others to question his authenticity as a black man.

    http://www.time.com/ time/ nation/ article/ 0,8599,1584736,00.html

    Comment by CaptainMantastic — June 5, 2007 @ 3:37 pm

    If he’s biracial why is he a black man? Why not a white man?


  33. Bluedog49 says:

    You guys have a penchant for the irrelevant. Social issues? They may be somewhat important to African Americans, but the real issue is how does the community fare under Democratic vs. Republican programs. The African-American middle class was built on New Deal programs and Civil Rights legislation. African Americans achieved their highest historical standard of living during the Clinton administration. Governmental programs designed primarily to strengthen the middle class are always benificial to the African-American community. The poverty rates in America declined for 8 straight years under Clinton.

    And, while a few high-profile positions for African Americans have been nice under Bush, please keep in mind that Republicans blocked scores of potential Clinton appointees to the judiciary during the 90’s and Bush’s record of appointing minorities to the judiciary has been abysmal at best.


  34. Alejandro says:

    I’m just saying why isn’t he both? neither? Who cares? What does it matter? (It matters to some people.)


  35. CaptainMantastic says:

    Alejandro. you make an outstanding point. if he’s bi-racial, why is he a black man and not a white man? If you want to live with that logic, I am more than on board. The problem for progressives is that we all orginally came from Africa. If you go back far enough, we all have African blood. So, if we are all a mixture of races, what’s the point of the post. How can progressives use one skin color against another. Why are we making inference about skin color at all. All men (and women) are created equal. Let’s leave it at that.


  36. Joneser says:

    31…

    uh yes… the congressional balck caucus does… good luck if you are white and/or republican ;)


  37. Joneser says:

    32…

    Alejandro…. one thing you have to remember… in society today… you have the “one drop rule” with black and whites… if you have “black” in you even a fraction… you are considered black… “quadroons” during the colonial period of the south is a classic example….
    Ever wonder why when you fill out a application or survey… you see Hispanic, white non-hispanic, black… white hispanic… and nonetheless latinos alot of time consider themselves white… my girlfriend is Chillean for example and alot of her relatives call themselves white…


  38. CaptainMantastic says:

    Progressives see you not as a radio station owner, but as either a white radio station owner or a minority radio station owner. Apparently, in their eyes, they are not the same thing.


  39. Joneser says:

    34

    that is so bogus… the new deal and civil rights built us?!!! The the great society and welfare wrecked us then….

    Harlem Renaissance and Bronzeville we prominent areas in New York and Chicago without Civil Rights programs and or Jim Crow… If government gets out the way its amazing what Americans can do!!

    And why do you need judicial appointees when i should have to be in front of a judge in the first place… the question is as Bill Cosby so put it is “why were you stealing the bread in the first place?”

    Statistically we as blacks were on the “up and up” during and after reconstruction… from since of community, mortality, education etc… before the new deal was in full swing… once social programs from politicians with “do something” disease and vote brabbing started things slowly went down hill to exponentially down hill under LBJ… all because they slowly pushed the father out of the household and replaced him with a welfare check, among other things


  40. CaptainMantastic says:

    Joneser. You are right on the money. Progressives here probably (secretly) take credit for Oprah’s success.


  41. Eric says:

    White’s a color TP as*holes


  42. Bluedog49 says:

    Sorry, Joneser, but our middle class was never stronger than in the 70’s. Standard of living and middle class spending power were never higher. The percentage of population living out of poverty and in the middle class was never greater. This middle class was the result of decades of Democratic policies. Since the onset of modern conservative thinking in 1980, the middle class has dwindled to the point it was pre Great Depression.

    “Statistically we as blacks were on the “up and up” during and after reconstruction…”

    You’re kidding, right? On the “up and up” during the “Guilded Age”???!!! Man, crack open a history book that isn’t edited by fricking objectivists.


  43. Bluedog49 says:

    Jonser: “And why do you need judicial appointees when i should have to be in front of a judge in the first place… the question is as Bill Cosby so put it is “why were you stealing the bread in the first place?”

    Joneser, are you really arguing that our justice system is colorblind? Because, if you are, you are a completely delusional fool. And let’s add self-loathing to the mix, you stupid a-hole.


  44. Bluedog49 says:

    And let me add this for you absurd libertarians: when Reagan took over, we were the world’s biggest creditor nation. After 26 years of modern conservative policies, we are the world’s biggest debtor nation. Liberals had nothing to do with that you stupid a-holes.


  45. big papa says:

    Save America…

    …save democracy…

    …DESTROY white male conservative privilege…


  46. CaptainMantastic says:

    Bluedog. self-loathing? are you describing Joneser or you idea of patriotism?


  47. CaptainMantastic says:

    Save democracy…

    Destroy liberal race baiting.


  48. Joneser says:

    bluedog…

    one thing is for sure… you libs on here sure love to sling the name calling… its sad… but i will comment with dignity to the indignant nonetheless…

    i think you need to consult the illegitimacy rates of us (blacks) after reconstruction up to the 1970’s… it had continued to hold strong at the teens if not low 20’s…. until of course the democrats welfare state kicked in… and i would love for you to show me where it helped us (preferably without “progressive” name calling)

    again you didn’t explain the model of bronzeville and harlem during and after the great migration… and all the arts and ideas that developed from there… long before the great society and the great depression and WWII.

    I would also love for you to explain why African and Carribean immigrants have faired far better interms of assimilating and economic mobility despite the race card… paralelled with the perseverence of freed slaves and their subsequent generations… (preferably without “progressive” name calling as well)

    As far as racism in the judicial system… i never said their aren’t judges with agendas… you liberals of all should know about that with the “evolving, breathing” constitution. But believe me, my fiancee is a cop… and to watch some of the low life who get away with what they do by judges probably is far if not exopentially more disgusting than that misjustice… especially when you watch these same losers go back to their neighborhoods and further the damage… why a judge doesn’t have that on their conscience?
    Nevertheless you never read my point… why does that person have to be before a judge in the first place. The question that should be asked is why is he doing what he is doing to get there… and find the solution…
    Liberals are always loving to do something but never ask does it work…

    Liberal like to poor miracle grow (taxpayer money) on whilting flowers anywhere (the negatives in our society)…. sure it works for about a day or two… but soon the flower keeps whilting… they never want to do the hard work… the tough decision to get at the weak roots to pull out the weeds and parasites that are preventing the flowers from developing to their full potential… To a liberal a weed, a parasite and a flower deserve to be cared for equally and without asking or determining the tough questions… yeah my liberal miracle grow is working… look at my flowers…

    yeah but you emboldend the weeds and parasites too!

    As for the history objectionists books… glad to know you read and trust only what our lovely public school educations shovel to you.

    I agree we conservatives spent too much time trying to be like Libs… which is why we got voted out of office last election… But Reagan was busy trying to fix the mess your boy Jimmy Carter made…. remember that Misery Index? The real gasoline crisis? The nuclear threat? The real Iranian problem? Arafat and Israel? HA!!! Yeah those were great times… All that in one term!!! thank god for Reagan… oh yeah land slide election and 2 terms… I understand if you want to push the reset button now.


  49. Joneser says:

    Just curious bluedog…

    do you know what party Martin Luther King was registered?

    Hint: the same party that saw…

    Jackie Robinson, Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, Frederick Douglas to name a few.



Jump to Top

About Think Progress | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy (off-site) | RSS | Donate
© 2005-2009 Center for American Progress Action Fund
View Most Popular

Advertisement

What We're About

Featured

image
Subscribe to the Progress Report



imageTopic Cloud


Visit Our Affiliated Sites

image image
Reports


Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.

Name:
Email:
Tip:
(required)


imageArchives


imageBlog Roll