Re: WBUR takes on Clear Channel

[Aaron Read <aread@speakeasy.net>]

At 03:33 PM 4/1/2003 -0500, Dan Billings wrote:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Aaron Read" <aread@speakeasy.net>
>To: <bri@bostonradio.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 1:43 PM
>Subject: RE: WBUR takes on Clear Channel
>
>
> > That's a cheap shot Paul and you know it.   NPR doesn't own a single
> > station, they're all voluntary affiliates.   For that matter, NPR does not
> > require member stations to exclusively carry NPR programming (as opposed
> > to, say, PRI) as is common in the commercial world.
>
>To the listener that makes no difference.  I know there is a difference
>between a network affiliate and complete ownership but when a station turns
>most of it's programming day over to a network, the effect is practically
>the same.
>
>-- Dan Billings, Bowdoinham, Maine

Except for a Clear-Channel owned station, if the local (or regional) PD 
feels the network line is too pro-this or anti-that, he or she has no 
choice if the network decides to be that way.

An NPR PD has complete freedom to air what shows...and even what individual 
segments within a show...of NPR shows they want to (within reason in 
regards to contractual obligations).   And if they feel NPR is a little 
biased, they can air another show that presents an alternate view if they 
so desire.

Now you tell me...if a group of people thinks a local NPR station is biased 
vs. a group of people thinks Clear Channel is biased....which entity do YOU 
think is actually going to make any sort of impact?   It sure ain't gonna 
be on Clear Channel!!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaron "Bishop" Read             aread@speakeasy.net
FriedBagels Consulting          AOL-IM: readaaron
http://www.friedbagels.com      Boston, MA