Fears for black radio

A GROUP of media professionals is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take steps to increase black voices and ownership in radio.

A letter sent by 11 groups including the Center for Media Justice and the Future of Music Coalition, plus two faculty members at Morgan State University, says black personalities, programming and listeners have been “marginalized.”

The group asks the FCC to “take proactive steps to expand ownership opportunities for people of color,” to “adopt rules ensuring that local broadcasters are held accountable to the communities they serve” and to conduct “a thorough study on the state of black radio,” especially ownership.

The letter was triggered in part by the disappearance of WRKS (KISS-FM) in New York. It says traditional black radio has been losing ground since the Telecommunications Act of 1996 allowed companies like Clear Channel to buy hundreds of stations. The letter coincides with the launch of another campaign called #InTheBlack, which is designed to “educate” the business world on the value of black consumers.

Backed by 23 organizations from media and advertising, the campaign notes that 42 million black consumers spend more than $900 billion a year.

A new hit of ‘Godfather’

Al Pacino and other familiar faces from the “The Godfather” will appear on a History Channel special about the trilogy.

“The Godfather Legacy,” premiering July 24 at 9 p.m., looks at how the mob films about the Corleone family impacted pop culture and resonated with audiences.

Michael Imperioli will narrate the special, which includes interviews with director Francis Ford Coppola and stars Pacino, James Caan, Joe Mantegna and Talia Shire.

Dots all ...

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