Can't keep a good broadcaster down

Lee Rayburn, who recently left his position at The Mic 92.1 (our local, Clear Channel-run Air America affiliate), has found a way to get back on the "air" - through the internet. In his quest to find more progressive and/or local broadcasters a public forum for their work, he's helping to launch Roots Up Radio. The first daily show featured through the site will be Rayburn's, which will run from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. and can be streamed live.

I've discussed my feelings and ideas about the possible future of radio already, and this news seems to lend credence to the idea of more progressive content (or more content in general) moving online. Whether or not this will be a totally good thing, I don't know. On its own, I think the shift to the internet has the potential to be a very democratic, equalizing force for news and opinion. But I worry that, because so many people still don't have reliable (or any) access to computers and the internet, the move could leave many people sitting in the dust.

Rumor has it that Clear Channel Communications, which owns thousands of radio stations around the nation--in some cases dominating whole markets--is getting ready to undertake a massive restructuring. Supposedly, this will entail $400 million in cut costs and a move away from any local content to a "national programming" model (something they've been criticized for in the past, and for good reason).

What does that mean for communities that rely on their local stations for emergency alerts, or even just substantive local content? A lot of them are likely just be plum out of luck. But that's what we get for allowing massive media consolidation. We don't have to stand for it, though. The internet might be the future of broadcast, but I'm not entirely willing to give up on regular radio, either. Stricter rules regarding the number of media outlets one corporation can own and operate in a specific market need to be reimplemented. Better funding for public radio, so it can continue to operate and even expand its reach. Things like that will help, if not totally solve, the current problems.

And while we're doing that, innovators like Lee will continue to build the next generation of internet-based information, so that when we finally get the majority up-to-date, they'll have access to a wide range of news and opinion both locally and internationally, free of the restrictive grasp of a single corporate interest.

That's the idea, anyway.

New media and the future of progressive talk

Ever since The Mic 92.1FM (our local Air America affiliate) initially dropped the Thom Hartmann show from their line-up and Lee Rayburn then quit his morning show, I've been involved in a flurry of emails, meetings, and article-writing on the subject.

On Monday night, I spoke with Lee over the phone to get his take on the matter. On Wednesday night, I attended the Friends of Progressive Talk Radio meeting to hear station operations and programming managers Mike Ferris and Brian Turany give their sides of the story.

At the end of the meeting, I had a good conversation with local writer, activist, historian and Mic radio host Stu Levitan about the current and future status of progressive talk in Madison. He expressed his opinion that, despite the programming changes, the Mic was still the most consistently progressive talk radio station in the area and a valuable asset. I appreciated a lot of what he had to say, especially when he chimed in as the (quite emphatic) voice of reason a few times during the sometimes heated meeting. We also discussed the possible reasons for why it was such a struggle, even in this rather liberal city, to keep left-wing talk on the air.

It got me thinking about the future of broadcast media in general. An anonymous commenter in my recent post about all of this made the suggestion that radio was more suited to the shouting, bombastic style that's typically found on more conservative talk shows. They went on to say that perhaps progressives shouldn't be looking at radio to be their main outlet, but perhaps would be better suited with blogs and print media, etc. The funny thing is, the comment was a lot more condescending to both sides of the coin than I think is called for, and I didn't agree with all of it--but it did bring up an interesting point.

First of all, I have to say that I adore good old-fashioned radio quite a bit. I had the great pleasure of hosting my own show on WSUM, the local student station, for just under two years during my time at college. I grew up wanting to be a radio DJ. It's something I've always, and will always love. But maybe the kind of talk/commentary many of us who so hate the radio shout-fests (from across the political spectrum) are looking for would be far better suited to new media platforms.

That is to say, perhaps nuanced, thoughtful, engaged debate and discussion of the issues can no longer fit onto the radiowaves. Maybe we should be looking to the internet and satellite radio as better mediums: podcasts, blogs, videos, etc.

At the moment, we're in a very transitional phase: Most of us have seen the light and it is on the internet, but I'm not sure anyone has yet figured out a viable business plan to make new media a profitable, and therefor sustainable, enterprise. That's why so many newspapers and other traditional media outlets are struggling so much. But perhaps these are all the birth pangs, and if we stick it out--which I think we will (have to?)--we will eventually find a way to make this all work for everyone's benefit.

More viewpoints, more stories, more opinions and research will find their equal digital footing, thereby helping to level the playing field. That's an optimistic prediction, but I'm making it now in the hopes that more of the right people will take up the cause and make it happen.

(Part of this will need to involve a massive effort to get computers and computer literacy to a wider swath of the community, regardless of income, etc.)

It's just a thought, but an intriguing one, I think. I have nothing but respect for those people fighting to keep The Mic progressive, and I understand their frustration. It's no easy thing to be shat on for so many years and then try to keep a level head. But keep it we must, because the future of any open, democratic society depends upon it.