Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Who needs radio anymore?
Who needs radio anymore?
A great many localism advocates point to radio as the last remaining broadcasting medium where local talent and local needs have a real chance of getting airtime. The battle to keep the "local" in local television is largely lost, except for some excellent examples, to corporate chain and network ownership, thanks largely due to economies of scale, cable and, increasingly, satellite.
Readers of the several previous posts of news accounts from the FCC's first public hearing on localism, will recall the many artists and musicians who pointed out that, for them, local radio was their only available avenue to gain popularity -- and eventual commercial success. They talked of a reality where music only gets played on the chain-owned stations if its popular, commercially-successful artists. However, in a Catch-22 reality, local artists (singers, songwriters, bands, etc.) can only get their music played when they are widely-popular and commercially successful, but they can't become widely popular or commercially successful until their music gets played to audiences across the country -- on the very same stations that win't play their music until they ARE popular and successful...
Now comes this post, an article about the Internet replacing radio. Maybe in a generation or two, but today? I can see it for a small, youthful market listening to music they enjoy, but not for the mass public. This for a good many reasons, many of which are central to the "digital divide" issues.
Maybe the next Madonna will find fame and fortune thanks to the Internet, but the next Frank Sinatra? I doubt it.
A great many localism advocates point to radio as the last remaining broadcasting medium where local talent and local needs have a real chance of getting airtime. The battle to keep the "local" in local television is largely lost, except for some excellent examples, to corporate chain and network ownership, thanks largely due to economies of scale, cable and, increasingly, satellite.
Readers of the several previous posts of news accounts from the FCC's first public hearing on localism, will recall the many artists and musicians who pointed out that, for them, local radio was their only available avenue to gain popularity -- and eventual commercial success. They talked of a reality where music only gets played on the chain-owned stations if its popular, commercially-successful artists. However, in a Catch-22 reality, local artists (singers, songwriters, bands, etc.) can only get their music played when they are widely-popular and commercially successful, but they can't become widely popular or commercially successful until their music gets played to audiences across the country -- on the very same stations that win't play their music until they ARE popular and successful...
Now comes this post, an article about the Internet replacing radio. Maybe in a generation or two, but today? I can see it for a small, youthful market listening to music they enjoy, but not for the mass public. This for a good many reasons, many of which are central to the "digital divide" issues.
Maybe the next Madonna will find fame and fortune thanks to the Internet, but the next Frank Sinatra? I doubt it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Who needs radio anymore?
Who needs radio anymore?
A large number of localism activists cite local radio as the last bastion of local access and broadcasting in the public interest. Many acknowledge, if grudgingly, that the battle for television has been lost to the economics of scale, thanks in no small part to cable. This takes nothing away from the exemplar job many of the locally- or small network-owned and operated TV stations do in service to their local communities. It simply recognizes that they are a minority of stations, and a dwindling number at that.
So, that leaves radio. In last wek's FCC hearings in Charlotte NC (see several earlier posts) the case for radio being the only way new, local artists and musicians can get a chance; that Catch 22 rules: they can't get on the chain-owned radio stations until they are commercially successful, and they can't become commercially successful unless people across the country have a chance to hear their music -- on the radio.
Enter the Internet. This post makes the case that the Internet now does what radio once did. Nice in theory, and maube it will be the case a generation from now, but I don't buy it. Issues central to what's commonly called the "digital divide" suggest otherwise. Sure, for a growing population, the Internet is to them what the radio once was to the masses. But to the masses today, the Internet is NOT radio, and for many of them, it never will be.
Maybe hip, youth-oriented musicians will find their audience via the Internet; I doubt that it's the medium that will help make the next Frank Sinatra popular, let alone commercially successful
A large number of localism activists cite local radio as the last bastion of local access and broadcasting in the public interest. Many acknowledge, if grudgingly, that the battle for television has been lost to the economics of scale, thanks in no small part to cable. This takes nothing away from the exemplar job many of the locally- or small network-owned and operated TV stations do in service to their local communities. It simply recognizes that they are a minority of stations, and a dwindling number at that.
So, that leaves radio. In last wek's FCC hearings in Charlotte NC (see several earlier posts) the case for radio being the only way new, local artists and musicians can get a chance; that Catch 22 rules: they can't get on the chain-owned radio stations until they are commercially successful, and they can't become commercially successful unless people across the country have a chance to hear their music -- on the radio.
Enter the Internet. This post makes the case that the Internet now does what radio once did. Nice in theory, and maube it will be the case a generation from now, but I don't buy it. Issues central to what's commonly called the "digital divide" suggest otherwise. Sure, for a growing population, the Internet is to them what the radio once was to the masses. But to the masses today, the Internet is NOT radio, and for many of them, it never will be.
Maybe hip, youth-oriented musicians will find their audience via the Internet; I doubt that it's the medium that will help make the next Frank Sinatra popular, let alone commercially successful
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Charlotte Observer: Hearing gauges media's service
Charlotte Observer | 10/23/2003 | Hearing gauges media's service
Note: you may need to create a free user account to read this story.
A strong example of the downside of concentrated media ownership was repeatedly referred to by a large number of speakers who criticized Clear Channel Communication's Raleigh radio station G-105 and its radio personalities for, essentially, encouraging motorists to force bicyclists off the road with their cars -- a felony in North Carolina. Even worse, it's happened before on several other Clear Channel-owned stations around the country.
A reasonable person would expect that a station owned locally would never allow such comments to be broadcast...
Note: you may need to create a free user account to read this story.
A strong example of the downside of concentrated media ownership was repeatedly referred to by a large number of speakers who criticized Clear Channel Communication's Raleigh radio station G-105 and its radio personalities for, essentially, encouraging motorists to force bicyclists off the road with their cars -- a felony in North Carolina. Even worse, it's happened before on several other Clear Channel-owned stations around the country.
A reasonable person would expect that a station owned locally would never allow such comments to be broadcast...
FCC Localism Hearing Draws Large, Vocal Crowd
WRAL.com - News - FCC Localism Hearing Draws Large, Vocal Crowd
In an excellent example of public service and use of the expanded capabilities of digital broadcasting, Raleigh NC's CBS affiliate, WRAL broadcast last night's FCC hearing live on one of its digital channels. Sure, their owner, Jim Goodmon was one of the panelists, but the station's commitment to local sevice predates this matter. (It actually goes back to the company's earliest days, but I digress.)
I hope to post whatever the Charlotte Observer published about the hearing, as well as whatever the FCC posts. (I learned last night that the FCC streams the aidui of local hearings live on their website. Perhaps they also have the audio file posted for listening after the fact...)
My bottom line take on these hearings, Tift Merrit said it best: "To try to talk about localism without discussing media ownership is avoiding the issue." Amen.
In an excellent example of public service and use of the expanded capabilities of digital broadcasting, Raleigh NC's CBS affiliate, WRAL broadcast last night's FCC hearing live on one of its digital channels. Sure, their owner, Jim Goodmon was one of the panelists, but the station's commitment to local sevice predates this matter. (It actually goes back to the company's earliest days, but I digress.)
I hope to post whatever the Charlotte Observer published about the hearing, as well as whatever the FCC posts. (I learned last night that the FCC streams the aidui of local hearings live on their website. Perhaps they also have the audio file posted for listening after the fact...)
My bottom line take on these hearings, Tift Merrit said it best: "To try to talk about localism without discussing media ownership is avoiding the issue." Amen.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Much ado about nothing?
WRAL.com - News - FCC Chairman Headlines Wednesday Hearing On Localism
If this hearing is anything like other FCC hearings where the commission is out of sync with public interest and popular sentiment, nothing much will come from the "road show." Wish it wasn't so, but these are not the best of times for the policy of broadcasting in the public interest. The only saving grace may be that the financial meltdown of the telecommunications sector depleted enough cash from its lobbying investments that Congress will muster the backbone to counter the FCC's industry, free-market bias.
If this hearing is anything like other FCC hearings where the commission is out of sync with public interest and popular sentiment, nothing much will come from the "road show." Wish it wasn't so, but these are not the best of times for the policy of broadcasting in the public interest. The only saving grace may be that the financial meltdown of the telecommunications sector depleted enough cash from its lobbying investments that Congress will muster the backbone to counter the FCC's industry, free-market bias.
Friday, October 17, 2003
FCC public hearing on localism in Charlotte NC on Oct 22
DA-03-3226A1.pdf
Leave it to the government to notify the public of public hearings at almost the last minute -- especially when the convening authority shows general disregard for the public's opposition to raising caps on ownership...
Leave it to the government to notify the public of public hearings at almost the last minute -- especially when the convening authority shows general disregard for the public's opposition to raising caps on ownership...
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Here's a blog worth adding to your daily diet
Michael Rogers: Practical Futurist
For everyone interested in technology and its possible effects on society, Michael Rogers' blog is a rich regular read. It may not have all the specifics, but it's a good place to stand if you want to get a whiff of what's in the wind.
For everyone interested in technology and its possible effects on society, Michael Rogers' blog is a rich regular read. It may not have all the specifics, but it's a good place to stand if you want to get a whiff of what's in the wind.
[Fwd: What's Local About Local Broadcasting? -- Still Not Much]
[Fwd: What's Local About Local Broadcasting? -- Still Not Much]
Original not accessible; this from Google cache. A more current assessment of local participation in broadcasting, though still more than three years old.
Original not accessible; this from Google cache. A more current assessment of local participation in broadcasting, though still more than three years old.
Productivity Commission: Broadcasting - Final Report
Productivity Commission: Broadcasting - Final Report
Part V of this report on broadcasting in Australia looks at issues related to localism.
Part V of this report on broadcasting in Australia looks at issues related to localism.
What's Local About Local Broadcasting?
What's Local About Local Broadcasting?
This report, now more than five years old, notes there's "not much" local in local broadcasting. That was then. It's even worse now. And if the Republ9ican chair and majority on the FCC get their way, there'll be even less.
This report, now more than five years old, notes there's "not much" local in local broadcasting. That was then. It's even worse now. And if the Republ9ican chair and majority on the FCC get their way, there'll be even less.
heraldsun.com: UNC e-mail crash 'horrible'
heraldsun.com: UNC e-mail crash 'horrible'
For those of you in UNC's JoMC 223 (or others tied to the UNC e-mail system) this local newspaper article explains why we've all been unable to access the school's email system for the past few days. Quite an experience, huh, especially for those of us earning a Certificate in Communications and Technology from the university. Coming after my start-of-semester problem of not being able to log into the Blackboard system for nearly a week, I should be forgiven if I was to compare my experiences with UNC-CH's IT performance to that of the gang that couldn't shoot straight...
For those of you in UNC's JoMC 223 (or others tied to the UNC e-mail system) this local newspaper article explains why we've all been unable to access the school's email system for the past few days. Quite an experience, huh, especially for those of us earning a Certificate in Communications and Technology from the university. Coming after my start-of-semester problem of not being able to log into the Blackboard system for nearly a week, I should be forgiven if I was to compare my experiences with UNC-CH's IT performance to that of the gang that couldn't shoot straight...
Rule would control digital TV copies
Rule would control digital TV copies
What the FCC is proposing would be a blow to an individual's "fair use" right to make a copy for personal use of copyrighted program. Why should an individual's rights be curtailed simply by advanves in technology. Is "digital" the beginning of the end of all personal rights? It's already undermining privacy...
What the FCC is proposing would be a blow to an individual's "fair use" right to make a copy for personal use of copyrighted program. Why should an individual's rights be curtailed simply by advanves in technology. Is "digital" the beginning of the end of all personal rights? It's already undermining privacy...
Monday, October 13, 2003
BW Online | September 1, 2003 | That'll Show 'em
BW Online | September 1, 2003 | That'll Show 'em
I stumbled across the ability of BlogThis! to (I think) post a link and let me make an insightful comment. (Fortunately it will also let me make a less-than-insightful comment.) Anyway, after inadvertently making this discovery while surfing a computer news website, I went searching for something related to my topic and, voilla, here's an article from Business Week...
Thuth is, I haven't even read it yet. I want to prove this BlogThis! does what I now think it does. I'll read it after I finish the experiment. For the record, if it says anything other than the chairman is engaged in face-saving after totally underestimating the public's opposition to the FCC raising broadcast ownership caps, I'll disagree.
I stumbled across the ability of BlogThis! to (I think) post a link and let me make an insightful comment. (Fortunately it will also let me make a less-than-insightful comment.) Anyway, after inadvertently making this discovery while surfing a computer news website, I went searching for something related to my topic and, voilla, here's an article from Business Week...
Thuth is, I haven't even read it yet. I want to prove this BlogThis! does what I now think it does. I'll read it after I finish the experiment. For the record, if it says anything other than the chairman is engaged in face-saving after totally underestimating the public's opposition to the FCC raising broadcast ownership caps, I'll disagree.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Semantics
Reading the collection of web sources gathered thus far on the topic of localism reveals a larger semantic dimension than I anticipated. To me and to others thinking about the concentration of American media ownership in fewer and fewer hands, including the chairman of the FCC, localism is about maintaining a degree of local "voice" in broadcasting. To some surfers, localism is about an area's waves. To others, it is about still other things.
In the muddle, this blog will try remain focused on the first perspective, but I reserve the right to draw on others' perspectives where it can be argued that it informs this research or the debate.
In the muddle, this blog will try remain focused on the first perspective, but I reserve the right to draw on others' perspectives where it can be argued that it informs this research or the debate.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Getting it?
I'll wait for the jury to come in, but it's possible that I may, at long last, be "getting it." I'm speaking of my understanding of both how to create a blogroll and links by coding in HTML (when I was expecting a dirt-simple GUI), and also of the picture of a blog -- my blog -- as a useful information resource finally coming into focus.
Now, if I can figure how to give all of you the ability to post your comments, I'll (hopefully) begin getting useful feedback on whether I'm on the right track or heading in the wrong direction. Hell, at this late date I'll be pleased just to enable commenting. Actually getting any will be icing on the cake.
It's been two weeks of fear loathing on the weblog trail. I think I see a light at the end of this tunnel...
Now, if I can figure how to give all of you the ability to post your comments, I'll (hopefully) begin getting useful feedback on whether I'm on the right track or heading in the wrong direction. Hell, at this late date I'll be pleased just to enable commenting. Actually getting any will be icing on the cake.
It's been two weeks of fear loathing on the weblog trail. I think I see a light at the end of this tunnel...
