From Radical Radio to Big Business: The Story of Media Consolidation in America

In the early days of radio, the airwaves were filled with a cacophony of voices. Independent broadcasters, labor unions, and political activists used the new medium to reach out to the public and share their views. But over time, a handful of powerful corporations came to dominate the industry, and the diversity of voices on the airwaves dwindled.

KISS FM: From Radical Radio To Big Business: The Inside Story Of A London Pirate Radio Station's Path To Success

by Grant Goddard

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1409 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	528 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The story of media consolidation in America is a complex one, but it can be boiled down to a few key factors:

• The rise of the corporate state: In the early 20th century, the American government began to play a more active role in the economy. This led to the creation of a number of new regulations that made it difficult for small businesses to compete with large corporations.
• The development of new technologies: The invention of the transistor and the integrated circuit made it possible to produce radios that were smaller, cheaper, and more portable than ever before. This made it possible for corporations to reach a wider audience than ever before.
• The deregulation of the media industry: In the 1980s, the Reagan administration began to deregulate the media industry. This allowed corporations to buy up more and more radio stations and newspapers. It also made it easier for them to control the content of the news.

The result of media consolidation has been a dramatic decline in the diversity of voices on the airwaves. Today, a handful of corporations control the vast majority of media outlets in America. This means that we are all hearing the same stories, from the same perspective. This is a dangerous trend for our democracy. When we only hear one side of the story, we are more likely to believe it. And when we are more likely to believe one side of the story, we are more likely to make decisions that are not in our best interests.

But there is hope. A new generation of activists and entrepreneurs is fighting to reclaim our airwaves and our voices. They are starting new radio stations, newspapers, and websites. They are also working to change the laws that have allowed media consolidation to happen. We can all help them in this fight. We can support their work by listening to their radio stations, reading their newspapers, and visiting their websites. We can also write letters to our elected officials and demand that they pass laws that will break up the media monopolies.

The fight for media diversity is a long one, but it is one that we must win. Our democracy depends on it.

Endorsements

"A must-read for anyone who cares about the future of democracy in America." —Noam Chomsky

"A brilliant and incisive look at the corporate takeover of our media." —Robert McChesney

"A powerful and urgent call to action." —Ralph Nader

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From Radical Radio to Big Business is available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats. Free Download your copy today from your favorite bookseller or online retailer.

KISS FM: From Radical Radio To Big Business: The Inside Story Of A London Pirate Radio Station's Path To Success

by Grant Goddard

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1409 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	528 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE