Petition To Deny

[MACK184]

Any comments on today's Press story about the whiny WHRW types who have launched a petition to denyagainst both Citadel & Clear Channel's Binghamton licenses?? Big bad radio...sniff, sniff..whine..whine... hope daddy sends me some extra money to put gas in my BMW soon.

 

[cowabunga]

It's more than some whiney spoiled brat students, This is led by Bill Huston, who lost his attempt to have Time Warner Cable buy him his own TV studio so he can produce "alternative" viewpoints. I did fall on the floor laughing at CC's claim that they do any sort of excellent news. Reading from the paper and copying the efforts of the TV people, without pronouncing words properly is NOT excellent news. There has been no "news" department on Jensen Road in years!

 

[JustinCase]

I have mixed feelings about the corporate giants of the radio world... I see the benefits and the negatives... I've worked for both the big dogs and now the mom & pops, I don't see them as such a negative and may be thats because I've only been in the business at some level for 10 years and us younger in the biz only know the cluster landscape. That said, I know how Clear Channel and Wicks (now Citadel) invested in the stations and gave the workers better facilities, equipment, offices etc. Local owners would have never pulled off such nice facilities. The tools and the software at their fingertips being part of a larger company is far superior to the locally owned stations as well. Not to mention being a sports fan, I'm a big believer in the minor league feeder system of pro sports. I look at radio in much the same light, those who have the talent and the desire have this vast corporate ladder of connections to climb the ranks faster.As for news, I don't see radio news as so important anymore... technology has changed everything. For one, what makes radio news semi-important in bigger cities is commuters, well our commutes are rather short on average in our area, so less time to even hear the news. Two, television has changed, there are 24-hour news channels and local stations have tv news in the morning and cut-ins to your favorite shows, so people as they get ready in the morning watch that or read the paper, and then when they get home there is an hour and a half of local news on television, followed by national news, or again the 24-hour-news channels. Plus, with the internet, news is now available at their fingertips anytime of the day, which is why I think news/talk stations like NBF skew so much older, that audience wants to be informed, but isn't always as wired as younger generations.In a market rocked by 18 years of decline and recession, where we've seen our friends and some of our family's leave... I think those of us local and committed have made the best of what fiscally would be available in this market and no offense to some of the detractors, but as someone who travels an awful lot... There are cities of far greater size who have stations that don't match the level of commitment to the product and people we serve than our stations here... and I say that generally as a whole all sides of the radio street.

 

[JustinCase]

Okay so I re-read that and saw not too much negative, but my big gripe is the elimination of starter positions... once your in, movement is alright, it's breaking in thats now harder to do...

 

[bhuston]

This is led by Bill Huston, who lost his attempt to have Time Warner Cable buy him his own TV studio so he can produce "alternative" viewpoints.

Sorry, Dave, or whomever you are. You have repeated this lie 100 times on BCVoice and other places. It was not ever going to be my studio. It was for public access, "first come, first served, non-discriminitory access". But I suspect you know this already.... Did you know that public access studio facilites are required by NY State Law? But this thread is about Clear Channel and Citadel....

I did fall on the floor laughing at CC's claim that they do any sort of excellent news. Reading from the paper and copying the efforts of the TV people, without pronouncing words properly is NOT excellent news. There has been no "news" department on Jensen Road in years!

What the CC website says is that they are "committed to providing communities with the highest quality local news." Maybe the highest quality they can do is no news at all?By the way, if you want to read the petitions, get them here:http://binghamtonpmc.org/bhuston/petition_to_deny/

 

[bhuston]

Go away Bill! This board is for real broadcasters...

What does "real" mean? I have been a radio broadcaster for four years, and I've been producing or crewing on public access television for nearly 10 years. Here's my CV: http://home.stny.rr.com/bhuston/Now, who are you exactly and what are your credentials which make you more "real" than I?And howabout we leave off the "dirty hippy" and other insults and let's talk about the real issues?The Real Issues being: Corporate rule, corporate control of the airwaves, corporate control of all media production and distribution to serve the capitalist class, American as propaganda-state, near complete lack of localism in 13 commercial radio stations and 4 commercial television stations and a broadband cable provider, no local music, no local public affairs, no public access even including WSKG our "public broadcasting" outlet, the interconnections between the corporations and the judiciary and the legislature, profit motive vs. serving the public interest, etc. etc.

 

[cowabunga]

A "Real" broadcaster would be defined as one who makes a living doing a broadcast job, not as a hobby or as one who presents him/herself as a media gadfly. If you get a real job in a real broadcast facility then we'll have a nice talk about these issues, some of which are very valid. Like they say on the Food Network, it's all in the presentation Bill!

 

[bhuston]

A "Real" broadcaster would be defined as one who makes a living doing a broadcast job, not as a hobby

So, real is whatever Cowabunga sez it is? Prettly lame logic, from someone who doesn't use even a REAL name How do we know you are REAL? Do you work for a REAL radio station in town, as like a job/profession? Which one? What exactly do you do there?So you can say I'm not "real" b/c I broadcast as a "hobby" (to imply "not serious"?), but I've done REAL broadcast work that I'm very proud of, serious public affairs. Everything from Vegan Rainbow (animal rights, environment issues, see http://www.mikehudak.com/Radio/RadioDirectory.html ) to Cognitive Liberty (exploring the legal, religous, and other aspects of psychedelics, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_liberty ) to Counterwave (replay on public access ch 4, Monday @ 10:30pm), these shows have attempted to bring issues to the public debate which don't get any voice on Clear Channel, Citadel, or even WSKG. What have you done that's real?

 

[cowabunga]

You are right Mr. Huston! I am very qualified to decide who is a real broadcaster and who is not. Your list of extremist, fringe productions (I'm still laughing!) is most unimpressive and I noticed, not presented on any outlet that has any impact or influence on the community. (No wonder WSKG won't take it). As for myself, I have spent the last 25 years working in a great number of broadcast outlets, both radio, TV & Newspaper. Commercial and non-comm, Corporate and Mom & Pop. I have done everything including answer phones, produce real program material with actual impact and value to the audience, built and maintained facilities, managed the people that work in them, and even left the business and returned a couple of times. I've earned a living, paid for my home, fed my family and raised my children working in the broadcast business. I have almost three decades of blood sweat and tears devoted to the business AND I even instruct others on how to do everything I have done, and I earn a great living doing it, while still remaining a professional in the field in which I teach. I paid my dues when I started out, nobody handed me anything, including the taxpayers. Your reputation precedes you on this board Bill. Many of us read the "alternative/progressive" media out there, we read other web sites and are very much in touch with our communities, the people in them, and what they stand for. I, for one, will not engage you as others have on line. You certainly have a right to file against the renewal of those licenses, and there is truth in some of the issues you bring forth, but your past history and histrionics make your efforts not much different from the sideshow outside the big-top. I choose to make a difference from within.

 

[bhuston]

You are right Mr. Huston! I am very qualified to decide who is a real broadcaster and who is not.

No, you are just some anonymous nobody on a message board. Why not decloak and then we'll be able to joust better. But you are afraid, and that is understandable. Very few people have both the courage and the intellect to debate be publicly.

Your list of extremist, fringe productions (I'm still laughing!) is most unimpressive and I noticed, not presented on any outlet that has any impact or influence on the community.

Extremist? Fringe? OK, you can ridicule animal rights, environmental issues, and the many aspects of psychedelics and the War on Drugs. But there are many people who think these topics are not "fringe" and have expressed gratitude for my work. And it's not just my issues. There are 10,000 subjects which will never get on commercial radio, or "public" broadcasting either, without being ridiculed, marginalized, etc., just as you have done. Rather than presenting the information and allowing the people to decide for themselves, you have to tell people how to think about it, using perjoratives. Fringe. Extremist. Just like how Greg Keeler calls Democracy Now "leftist". Or insult the man. Dirty Hippy, etc. Another way to look at it: Since apparently according to you, non-extremist, non-fringe subjects are those covered by the commercial and "public" radio (those with impact or influence), and since there is essentially ZERO locally produced public affairs anywhere, you have constructed a framework where ANYTHING ANYBODY does on WHRW or Indymedia or public access tv, or even talks about in the public square, etc. is "fringe". What arrogance you exhibit.And concerning "outlets with impact or influence"? Which outlets are those? WSKG, which over 2 licenses jams the people's airwaves with > 30 hours hours of classical music and elevator jazz PER DAY and produces a whopping 2 hours of regular PA per month (and zero news)? Citadel with 5 licenses yet only has one which does any local news or public affairs (and it's pretty bad at that, e.g., Time Warner cable contract coverage), Clear Channel which owns 6 licenses and does a pathetic 15 min. of PA per week? WLTB and WCDW which do none? All these outlets might "have influence", but they are not serving the public interest by denying a voice to the 10,000 issues which matter to local people.

(No wonder WSKG won't take it).

Now that's real funny. How do you know this?

As for myself, I have spent the last 25 years working in a great number of broadcast outlets, both radio, TV & Newspaper. Commercial and non-comm, Corporate and Mom & Pop.

So that makes you about 50 y/o min. You have inside knowledge about WSKG, and you act just like Greg Keeler. I think it's a greater than 50% chance that's whom I'm talking to. How'd I do?

I paid my dues when I started out, nobody handed me anything, including the taxpayers.

Huh? What's your point? You work hard and teach, that makes you real. I work hard and teach, and I'm not real?First, if you work for WSKG, you do take taxpayer money. Second, are you implying that I ask for taxpayer money?

I, for one, will not engage you as others have on line.

You slander me, but won't engage me on the issues? Why don't you go back to BCVoice? That's more your speed.

You certainly have a right to file against the renewal of those licenses, and there is truth in some of the issues you bring forth,

Thanks.

but your past history and histrionics make your efforts not much different from the sideshow outside the big-top. I choose to make a difference from within.

And how exactly are you making a difference? What was the last public affairs show you produced? THERE IS NO PUBLIC AFFAIRS BEING PRODUCED IN THE ENTIRE BINGHAMTON MARKET!!! (outside WHRW, public access tv, indymedia).Perhaps you're collecting a paycheck, producing ads (or corporate underwriting spots), doing voice tracking, pre-recorded weather spots, pulling in sattellite feeds, and doing nothing to serve the public?

 

[cowabunga]

Match, Set, and Game. You couldn't handle who I am! Goodbye Gadfly! You are so much fun to tweak!

 

[bhuston]

Match, Set, and Game. You couldn't handle who I am! Goodbye Gadfly! You are so much fun to tweak!

Bye. Someday, I'm going to face-off in a public forum with Bernie Griffin or Calvin Stovall, Joanne Aloi, Mary Beth Walsh, Greg Catlin or Scott Gallagher, John Birchall or Jim Ehmke, Gary Reinbolt or Greg Keeler, Dave Whalen, etc. Topic: Who controls the media and in whose interests does it serve.That will be a real major hoot, if you ask me

 

[JustinCase]

WCDW broadcasts public service announcements multiple times daily and we often do public appearances promoting many non-profit organizations and events. No, we do not open our studios for a public free for all, but we do try to announce everything submitted; from cookie and bake sales, to carwashes, bottle drives, and various community events.In addition we have local jocks from NY & PA, who are out in the communities we serve. As most know we sponsor a plethra of local events, have our weekly friday night party (free & open to the public) and we have our ever growing concert dance series.

 

[bhuston]

WCDW broadcasts public service announcements multiple times daily and we often do public appearances promoting many non-profit organizations and events. No, we do not open our studios for a public free for all, but we do try to announce everything submitted; from cookie and bake sales, to carwashes, bottle drives, and various community events. In addition we have local jocks from NY & PA, who are out in the communities we serve. As most know we sponsor a plethra of local events, have our weekly friday night party (free & open to the public) and we have our ever growing concert dance series.

Hi Justin,When I did my comments on the FCC NOI on localism (which BTW is here: http://www.binghamtonpmc.org/bhuston/localism.html ), I contacted every GM of every broadcast outlet to get my data.At that time, WCDW did no local news or public affairs programming. Has this changed or am I mistaken? Or are you saying that a 10 second PSA about the Girl Scout bake sale (etc) should count as public affairs programming?Zero local news or PA gained Equinox the dubious distinction of coming in dead last in the localism metrics I looked at. Also, it's my understanding that you do not have a live operator overnights, and use some kind of automation. Is that true? If so (looking at the data), there is little difference in how WCDW operates compared to the ClearChannel or Citadel stations. I will grant there is some usefulness to being "locally owned", meaning a local capitalist keeps the profits instead of profits being exported to distant capitalists, but as far as I can see/hear, the business model is the same, the lack of local programming is the same.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Policy Question

Mr. Huston,Are we to understand that you believe that capitalism is an "evil" in the world, and that you subscribe to the policies of socialism as a model for the operation of broadcast stations? In other words, a station should serve what you have determined is the "public interest, convenience, and necessity", even though the programming you propose has never attracted enough listeners to allow that programming to pay for itself, let alone earn a profit?Are we to understand that "profits" are "evil", and that broadcasters should seek to force "public interest" programming on a public that has repeatedly demonstrated NO interest in such programming?Are we to understand that providing entertaining and timely programming that the vast majority of Americans tune into day after day does NOT serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity"?When it comes to the arena of "professional broadcasting", can you show us even ONE show that you have produced that actually attracted enough listeners to pay the normal cost of production?I'm just trying to understand your point of view here.RoxPS - Due to my position in the "corporate" world, it would be unwise of me to use my real name for fear of reprisal. You may take that as a position that minimizes my right to question your proposals, but I'll get over that if you will.

 

[bhuston]

Re: Policy Question

Are we to understand that you believe that capitalism is an "evil" in the world,

Yes. I would call the greatest evil in the world "exploitation" and capitalism embodies that.

and that you subscribe to the policies of socialism as a model for the operation of broadcast stations? In other words, a station should serve what you have determined is the "public interest, convenience, and necessity", even though the programming you propose has never attracted enough listeners to allow that programming to pay for itself, let alone earn a profit?

1: I think media with a capitalist model does a very poor job at informing people about their world. However, it is quite good at propaganda, manufacturing consent, etc. The BBC and the CBC have a socialist model, and most people agree that it has better news, better PA, better arts, etc. 2: What *I* determine is in the public interest? Certainly not. This has to be something that the community participates in. E.g., public broadcasting should have real citizen involvement, and if there was, don't you think there would be locally produced shows, do you think there would be 15.5 hours of classical music EVERY DAY? If the Community Advisory Board had any real power, don't you think Democracy Now! would be on the big station already? Don't you think that community producers would be able to gain access to the TV station? ..... this is the kind of citizen involvement I'm talking about, but there is a LOCKDOWN of public participation at WSKG. I could write a book about what I know. 3: Democracy is not just to serve the masses. The majority have no right to deny any of 10,000 different minority opinions the right to speak, the right to diverse and antagonistic information sources. 4: When the entire media system is about profits, we get the god-awful system we have today. There SOMEWHERE needs to be media which is paid for as a public trust, perhaps as a tax on commercial broadcasters. Pacifica is the best example we have, and is 100% listener funded.

Are we to understand that "profits" are "evil",

Profit is exploitation by definition. Yes, I think exploitation is wrong in every case.

and that broadcasters should seek to force "public interest" programming on a public that has repeatedly demonstrated NO interest in such programming?

Force? The way you frame this issue is weird. It's giving listeners access to ideas and music and local voices that they do not presently have access to. This is necessary for our society to be healthy. And what do you use to determine interest? Ratings? If show X gets 90% of the viewing audience and show Z gets 10%, then are you saying that only the 90%'ers watching X get any rights, that the 10% watching Z get no rights? With this model, then what gets out will generally appeal to the "lowest common denominator", which is perhaps why we are innudated with dull and boring old crap.And be honest: the real use of ratings is not to determine the public-interest value of particular entertainment, news, PA. The real purpose of ratings is as a marketing tool. The corporations want the most eyeballs, or the right sort of eyeballs for the purposes of delivering advertising.

Are we to understand that providing entertaining and timely programming that the vast majority of Americans tune into day after day does NOT serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity"?

You should really read the following books:Manufacturing Consent by ChomskyRich Media, Poor Democracy and The Problem with the Media my McChesneyToxic Sludge is Good for You! by Rampton/StauberAir Wars by Jerry StarrMedia Monopoly by Ben BagdikianReally. These authors can explain things far better than I. But the basic answer to your question is, yes I believe that most broadcasters today do not serve the public interest. They suppress information of urgent importance about how the rich are screwing over the people every day, they suppress information about how the corporations are raping the earth, suppressing informaiton about the illegality of certain laws which are putting millions of basically innocent Americans in prison for non-violent "crimes", who the hell knows what all is being suppressed.... this is just the stuff I know about... And instead of the media telling us about our world, it forces mercantile, capitalist, consumer propaganda down our throats, eyes, and ears.

When it comes to the arena of "professional broadcasting", can you show us even ONE show that you have produced that actually attracted enough listeners to pay the normal cost of production?

I don't know how to answer that, because you've constructed a framework where I am guaranteed to lose. You have accepted the dominant media paradigm as inevitable, and the only possible or correct one. Expand your mind and imagine a different funding model than advertisments. Grants, tax on commerical licensees, tax on new equipment, public trust, subscriber fees, etc. So let me answer a different question. Let me tell you about some of my best work. Some Stones Standing Still: Oneida documentaryEarth in Pain: Performance art by Tadeshi and Ann HarpurMusic videos of Monkey's Typing, Trevor Exter, and many you haven't seen yetConversation I and II (cable contract)Cognitive Liberty Airwaves: psychedelics, WoDVegan RainbowCounterwaveMr. Mouthy ManThe fact is, we don't know if these shows would be commercially viable or not, because there is no local programming allowed in Binghamton media. This decision was made by the advertisers themselves, and by the distant capitalist who are the stockholders in the media giants who are operating Binghamton media: Gannett, Citadel, Time Warner, Clear Channel, and shell holding companies like Alta (Fox-40), and my favorite generic corporation name of all time: "Television Station License Group Subsidary LLC" (WBNG).The problem is, that the decisions should be made by the local citizenry. Not just the big monied corporations, and the distant rich investors. Because what is in their interests (making money off our shopping habits) is probably not the same as the interests as the public.

PS - Due to my position in the "corporate" world, it would be unwise of me to use my real name for fear of reprisal. You may take that as a position that minimizes my right to question your proposals, but I'll get over that if you will.

The reason why identity is so important in these message boards becomes especially important when people write slanderous things about real people anonymously (like on BCVoice) or using a pseudonym (like Cowabunga here). My point is that if we knew who these people were, who say slanderous things about me, if we knew what their connections are, it would become clear why they are saying these things. Like say, if Cowabunga really is Greg Keeler (or perhaps Dave Whalen, etc. I really have no idea who it is), it would be crystal clear why he has been calling me a dirty hippy in these forums for many years.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I Begin to See...

Mr. Huston, Are you aware that socialism has failed in every society that has embraced it? That socialism has led to totalitarianism in every society that has embraced it? Capitalism allows people the freedom to pursue a life that they determine for themselves, not a life set by the "collective". Ours is a society of opportunity. You choose - wisely or not - to invest your time and talents into those activities that you find to be most valuable. If you decide that the path you've chosen isn't fullfilling, you're free to select another path and pursue a different dream.You talk about "far away capitalists". In truth, most of us are capitalists. If you own any stock, you're a "far away capitalist". If you have a retirement plan, you're a "far away capitalist". If you pay taxes, which are invested for varying amounts of time until they're needed by the government, you're a "far away capitalist. The other option is to have the government determine your needs, and be compensated according to their pay scale, not according to your talents and/or wishes. I, for one, am unwilling to trade opportunity for government regulation.Capitalism, however, is not problem-free. Short-sighted management who looks for short-term gain is a serious problem. Companies that invest wisely in a stable workforce and long-term product development reap greater rewards over a longer period of time. Companies that look for quick profit without long-term benefit to workers and customers generally fail. There will be opportunity in the broadcasting world for the demonstraton of that principle. As far as public interest is concerned, there are ample means for people to express their opinions and air their ideas IF other people are interested in hearing them. As evidenced here, the Internet has become a means of expression available to the majority of our citizens. Printing presses still exist. In fact, it is less expensive than ever to reproduce your thoughts and ideas and disseminate them to the public. Lectures, public presentations, and even phone-in shows are available to most people. Cable access, which is required on most cable systems, offers another venue for multimedia presentations. There are enough stations that carry "brokered" content available to provide an outlet for your "diverse" programming if you can find enough monetary investment from people who subscribe to your point of view.What you seem to be avoiding is the thought that most people don't agree with your viewpoint, and choose to ignore you. Your response is to force what you term to be "public affairs" programming onto the airwaves so that it's more difficult for people to ignore your point of view. Let me assure you - they will turn you off in large numbers no matter now many stations you're on.As far as the BBC and CBC are concerned, you'd be the first to protest "government run" broadcasting if they presented a program that was opposed to your point of view. In fact, it was the monopoly of broadcasting by the BBC that sparked the development of "pirate" radio stations in Britain in order to provide diversity in entertainment and point-of-view. Their dedication to the arts, public affairs, and news are commendable, but not necessarily effective in creating a society that is more informed or engaged in those areas.There are not enough hours, or enough channels, to broadcast the 10,000 different minority opinions on any subject. Fortunately, other means of expression exist. Since there is a limit to the number of hours in a day, and a limit to the number of channels available, the opinions and programming that appeal to the majority will get the largest segment of the broadcast spectrum. As digital broadcasting expands the number of channels, and as the Internet becomes even more widely available as a high-speed wireless medium, the search for unique content and the low cost of delivery will make more room for your "diverse and antagonistic information sources."In the meantime, I don't believe that it's in the "public interest, convenience, and necessity" to punish people for listening to the programs that they WANT to hear, instead of the programs that YOU feel that they SHOULD listen to. Your condescending attitude toward average Americans is uncharitable, to say the least. Obviously, those dissenting opinions from "diverse and antagonistic information sources" are readily available, or you wouldn't be aware of their existence. Forcing ME to contribute my hard-earned dollars to "grants, tax on commerical licensees, tax on new equipment, public trust, subscriber fees, etc." for the disemmination of ideas that I find to be reprehensible is as unfair as stripping away freedom of the press and freedom of expression. I see your "Petition to Deny" as a grandstanding attempt to create more visibility for you and your "causes". If you are unable to convince a sufficient number of people to see - and invest - in your point of view, I don't see why the rest of us should be forced to support your endeavors. You have the right to believe as you will, and express your beliefs in the public forum. You don't have the right to force me to underwrite your presentation or listen to your presentation.

 

[cowabunga]

BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO Mr. Rox!!!!!I have never seen Sideshow Bill put in his place better than what you have written here! I've been watching his spoiled-brat antics and witnessed his media-related, sour grapes tantrums for years! This response should be framed on the wall of anyone who has had to endure this stuff!!!!All Hail Sir Roxalot!

 

[JustinCase]

I'll sidetrack a moment... yes WCDW does news, not top and bottom of every hour, but we have news in the morning... we also have two local sports reports a morning... Sens Reports twice a day during the season... High School Football reports... BC Open, dbi Tennis Challenger, and Mets updates... We give school delays and closings... In addition to (love it or HATE it) the Bill Flynn Show dives into nearly every community event, ethnic fest, church, community group and puts them on the air Saturdays and Sundays for hours.

 

[bhuston]

WCDW [has] news in the morning...

At what times? Do you have a local news staff which does reporting? Or is it rip-n-read? Or a network feed?

we also have two local sports reports a morning... Sens Reports twice a day during the season... High School Football reports... BC Open, dbi Tennis Challenger, and Mets updates... We give school delays and closings... In addition to (love it or HATE it) the Bill Flynn Show dives into nearly every community event, ethnic fest, church, community group and puts them on the air Saturdays and Sundays for hours.

That's great. I'm impressed with local anything My friend Dan Jan from WHRW told me about another local European music show, now I know he was probably talking about Bill Flynn's You didn't answer about automation, and I am curious about that. Do you use it? How many hours of the day are on autopilot, and how many hours have a human operator? Also, other then Bill Flynn covering ethnic events and 30 sec. PSAs, do you do any regular public affairs shows? The data I obtained in 2004 was that you didn't. And knowing what I know about the power of the media, and how it works to serve the ruling classes, and how the citizenry are largely ignorant about important details of the world in which we all live, I think significant and diverse public affairs programming should be a vital component to the determination of whether a broadcast licensee is serving the public. PS: to roxalot: preparing a reply... standby