Black Radio Doesn't Deserve Our Help
Do you agree with this?
"On May 13, more than 200 protesters gathered outside the Detroit offices of House Judiciary Chairman and longtime Michigan representative John Conyers, who sponsored the controversial Performance Rights Act (HR 848). Known as the "performance tax," the bill would require that radio stations pay yearly license fees for the right to play music on the air.
The protest was sponsored by Radio One, the largest black-owned radio company in the country, with over 50 stations in nearly 20 markets and an increasing share of the so-called urban market via TV One, Giant magazine and the signature syndicated drive-time program, The Tom Joyner Morning Show. Radio One's "Save Black Radio" campaign responds to fears that the new law would hurt already struggling black-owned radio stations.
What's not clear to me is why we should be crying any tears for Radio One. It is BET without the rump-shaking videos, and it's nearly as destructive in warping the musical and communal values that have historically made radio an institution in black communities.
This is the very same industry that has effectively shut out independent artists, put out music and lyrics that degrade women and warp the values of children. Why should we run to black radio's defense when it has failed black communities so terribly?" WRITTEN BY MARK ANTHONY NEAL
Read the Full Article at The Root.com.
Roger Madison
www.izania.com
"On May 13, more than 200 protesters gathered outside the Detroit offices of House Judiciary Chairman and longtime Michigan representative John Conyers, who sponsored the controversial Performance Rights Act (HR 848). Known as the "performance tax," the bill would require that radio stations pay yearly license fees for the right to play music on the air.
The protest was sponsored by Radio One, the largest black-owned radio company in the country, with over 50 stations in nearly 20 markets and an increasing share of the so-called urban market via TV One, Giant magazine and the signature syndicated drive-time program, The Tom Joyner Morning Show. Radio One's "Save Black Radio" campaign responds to fears that the new law would hurt already struggling black-owned radio stations.
What's not clear to me is why we should be crying any tears for Radio One. It is BET without the rump-shaking videos, and it's nearly as destructive in warping the musical and communal values that have historically made radio an institution in black communities.
This is the very same industry that has effectively shut out independent artists, put out music and lyrics that degrade women and warp the values of children. Why should we run to black radio's defense when it has failed black communities so terribly?" WRITTEN BY MARK ANTHONY NEAL
Read the Full Article at The Root.com.
Roger Madison
www.izania.com
From what I have read, this is a double-edged sword. It appears to be in support of artists, and forces radio stations to "pay to play." On the other hand, this move will put a lot of small Black-owned radio stations out of business. Only the big networks can afford to "pay to play."
The issue of service to the community has long ago been swept away. There is no local Black news; advertisers don't spend money with small Black stations; and listeners don't tune out the garbage.
Kathy Hughes and Radio One is the only large Black Player in the game, and they are struggling financially. The move in Chicago to get Tom Joyner off the air was a move by Clear Channel to manipulate the Black radio owners and the audience into a corner.
At the end of the day,the question is this: "Where is the quality content in Black Radio?"
If there is none, then we haven't lost much if they go under, have we? That is one way to look at it. Or put another way, if we don't demand quality content, we deserve what we get.