Clear Channel reBuilding Bridges in the African American Community By
Rodney Brown In September 2009 Lavonda N. Reed-Huff, an associate professor of law at Syracuse University laid out a litany of complaints in a report (Clear Channel radio games hurt Syracuse listeners) indicating that Power 106.9 intentionally neglected Syracuse's African American community. The complaints arose when African American residents came together to voice their concerns and disapproval with the station's "hands-off" approach when dealing with vital issues that have a direct impact in their communities. WPHR-FM (Power 106.9) is an urban adult contemporary music formatted radio station that serves Syracuse and central New York. The station's parent company is Clear Channel Communications. Power 106.9 is the only radio station in Syracuse whose music and programming is designated to cater to African Americans. Huff, a communications law scholar and member of the Syracuse community says it's imperative that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) address the issue of localism in broadcasting and not lose sight of the continued relevance and importance of minority ownership. "While localism and minority ownership are closely tied, they must be addressed as distinct issues," she said. "Additionally, it is important that the Commission not forget about broadcasting as it goes about the important work of addressing broadband availability and accessibility in rural and low-income areas." In the report Huff accused Clear Channel of neglecting its African American audience on August 28, 2009 when it abruptly changed the format of two of its radio stations to country music from a rhythm and blues format. "Format changes at radio stations are subject to FCC regulations," she said. Huff noted in a dissenting statement to the FCC's 1976 policy statement on format changes- then FCC Commissioner Benjamin Hooks observed that markets often are imperfect and fail to "provide a mechanism to ensure service to significant minority tastes." "Clear Channel threw its African American audience under the proverbial bus to protect other interests in its loaded portfolio of radio holdings," she said. "Dissatisfaction with corporate management of the station is deep and widespread." Huff believes the media and diversity of ownership have been crippled since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 along with other congressional and FCC action that abandon community ascertainment obligations, relaxing ownership restrictions and creating an expectancy of license renewal despite audience dissatisfaction. In addition Huff noted that the Telecommunication Act of 1996 have allowed excessive media consolidation and disengagement from the preferences of local audiences. Among other complaints leveled against Power 106.9 was the station's decision to drop the Tom Joyner Morning show; which Huff describes as more civic-minded in favor of Clear Channel's own Steve Harvey Morning Show. "Unlike Joyner's- the Steve Harvey Morning Show devotes little to no time to serious issues of public importance," said Huff. The law professor also pointed out that local musicians have virtually no access to local stations to launch their careers. "Local people don't do much of anything at these stations and are left out in the cold despite a congressional mandate and a regulatory scheme requiring broadcasters to serve the local communities in which they are licensed," said Huff. Since the 2009 report- Power 106.9 has been very proactive in its attempt to reached out and "bridge the gap" with Syracuse's African American community. The station has formed a "Community Group" where Huff and several members of Syracuse's African American community sit on its Advisory Committee. "We advise the management of the station," Huff said. "We all are working together to meet common goals." The emphatic move on the station's part has produced meaningful and purposeful results. Joel Delmonico, general manager of Clear Channel Communications in Syracuse referred to missteps in the past as unintentional. In response to complaints of negligence towards the African American community Delmonico pointed out a number of programs and endeavors the station has incorporated. He alluded to the station's Image Program. "The Image Program was created to highlight the positive side of city schools," Delmonico said. "On the air kids are allowed to interview their teachers and peers. They are also able to write and provide content for the program." Delmonico also noted its partnership with Syracuse's "Say Yes to Education" program which is committed to dramatically increasing high school and college graduation rates for inner-city youth. "Power 106.9 handles public engagement work for "Say Yes," Delmonico said. "We do tour stops to promote its various educational programs. Some sights have been visited by Vice President Joe Biden, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan." Delmonico noted that the Literacy Coalition reported 35 percent of kids living in Syracuse are significantly behind their peers. He pointed out that the station has created the "Imagination Library" in an attempt to boost literacy among children ages 0 to 5 years-old. "Parents can sign their kids up to get a free book every month until they start school," Delmonico said. "Reading stories to your children at an early age has been proven to have a huge impact on a child's intellectual development." The Imagination Library program is scheduled to begin the middle of May 2010 in the North side zip code. Delmonico believes that access to a good education is the fundamental building block to a healthy community. He reverts to Geoffrey Canada as his hero. Canada is president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) in Harlem, NY. The HCZ is a community based organization serving 17,000 children living in a 100 city-block area in Harlem. The organization has pioneered a new way to end the cycle of generational poverty. The programs within the organization support each child from birth all the way through college; bringing educated young adults back into the community to enrich it. Because of HCZ's outright success, President Obama has announced plans to replicate the program model in 20 other cities across the nation. Delmonico went on to mention the station's on air weekly program called "Power Perspectives" hosted by Reverend Darin Jaime, pastor of People's A.M.E. Church. The show addresses concerns and important issues in the African American community. "Power Perspectives originated from discussions that took place among members on the Advisory Committee," Huff said. "The Committee is doing good things. After it's all said and done, I hope we can look back and be appreciative of all the positive strides that have been made." "I think things have improved significantly in terms of communications," Delmonico said. "And I am committed and open to all suggestions from the community, so together we can continue to address and resolve important issues." |