The results of this study reveal a dismally low level of minority and female ownership of radio stations in America that has left two-thirds of the U.S. population with few stations representing their communities or serving their needs. Racial or ethnic minorities own just 7.7 percent of all full-power commercial broadcast radio stations, though they account for 33 percent of the U.S. population.
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Listen to the press conference announcing the release of the report featuring FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, Gloria Steinem, and civil rights leaders.
In addition, our just-released study, Out of the Picture 2007, found that current levels of minority and female ownership of broadcast television stations are disgracefully low -- people of color own just 3.15 percent of commercial television stations in the United States. Women make up 51 percent of the population, but own just 5.87 percent of television stations.
These groups' level of radio station ownership is only slightly higher, despite the fact that the cost of operating a radio station is dramatically lower than a TV station. Moreover, radio station ownership is very low compared to the levels seen in other commercial industry sectors.
Our analysis suggests that minority-owned stations thrive in markets that are less concentrated. Markets with minority owners have fewer stations per owner on average than markets without them.
Allowing further industry consolidation will unquestionably diminish the number of female- and minority-owned stations. The FCC should seriously consider these consequences before enacting any policies that could further concentration.
Policies such as tax breaks and "leased access" aimed at promoting female and minority ownership simply won't work if the issue of media consolidation is ignored. Before the FCC considers rules that would place more control in even fewer hands, it must first address its mandate to ensure diversity on the public airwaves.
But one thing Congress can do now is expand the number of low-power FM radio stations available. This would open thousands of new local stations across the country and promote opportunities for diverse voices to use the public airwaves.
Despite the dramatic expansion of listening options for consumers today, traditional radio remains one of the most popular media formats in America. And the talk radio format leads all others in terms of the total number of stations that air it: Through more than 1,700 stations across the country, talk radio is estimated to reach more than 50 million listeners each week.
The Structural Imbalance of Talk Radio, a 2007 joint report by Free Press and the Center for American Progress, found that conservative talk radio overwhelmingly dominates the format. The report further found:
The report also identified a strong link between programming diversity and ownership diversity. It found:
This analysis suggests that any effort to encourage more responsive and balanced radio programming will first require steps to increase localism and diversify station ownership. The bottom line: Increasing diversity and localism in ownership will produce more diverse speech, more choice for listeners, and more owners who are responsive to their communities.
Download the full report.
>> Civil Rights Leaders Express Outrage
>> Take Action: Defend Media Diversity
>> Download Off the Dial
Learn more about Out of the Picture 2007, our study of minority and female TV station ownership.
The marriage of Comcast and NBC is bad news for consumers. But Washington and Wall Street have already bought into the idea that it's a done deal. That's why Americans need to speak out now and stop the mega-merger!
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