To: President Donald Trump, Cliff Albert, Program Director, KOGO-AM 600, San Diego, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Save Progressive Talk Radio
Save Diverse, Local Radio! Clear Channel should add a progressive talk program at a station in each top 20 market (starting with KOGO-AM 600 in San Diego). Furthermore, we urge Congress and President Obama to repeal the portion of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that allows unlimited ownership of radio stations, reverting back to the former limit of 40 stations nationally.
Why is this important?
Research shows 90% of news/talk is conservative and 10% is progressive. When progressive talk KLSD-AM (Air America) in San Diego was considering changing formats in 2007, the devoted listenership rallied and petitioned, but Clear Channel changed the format anyway. The listeners were devastated, and continue to have no access to liberal views on local,
terrestrial radio. This is the case in many places in America. Radio stations are supposed to serve the public interest in exchange for their free licenses, access to our publically owned airwaves. The FCC has a mandate to ensure radio is competitive with diverse, local content but it is shirking its responsiblity to the detriment of our democracy. Furthermore, the Congress and President Clinton made a grave error in 1996 with the passage of the Telecommunications Act which allowed corporations to own an unlimited number of radio stations. To understand what happened, see the new documentary films, Save KLSD: Media Consolidation and Local Radio" and "Broadcast Blues".
terrestrial radio. This is the case in many places in America. Radio stations are supposed to serve the public interest in exchange for their free licenses, access to our publically owned airwaves. The FCC has a mandate to ensure radio is competitive with diverse, local content but it is shirking its responsiblity to the detriment of our democracy. Furthermore, the Congress and President Clinton made a grave error in 1996 with the passage of the Telecommunications Act which allowed corporations to own an unlimited number of radio stations. To understand what happened, see the new documentary films, Save KLSD: Media Consolidation and Local Radio" and "Broadcast Blues".