Responsive Radio Testimony Excerpts by Alfred C. Liggins III

Responsive Radio Testimony Excerpts by Alfred C. Liggins III
Monday, October 1, 2007; Page D03
From washingtonpost.com:

The House subcommittee on consumer protection held a hearing last week on stereotypes and degrading images in the mass media. Alfred C. Liggins III, chief executive of Lanham-based Radio One, the nation's largest African American-owned radio broadcaster, told members of Congress about his company's efforts to protect its listeners from potentially offensive content. Here are excerpts of his prepared testimony:

"Our Radio One network consists of 60 radio stations and can be found in 19 cities around the nation. Taken together we reach over 12 million listeners across the country. . . . However, those numbers do not really paint the full picture of who Radio One is. Radio One takes its responsibility to serve its communities very seriously. For this reason, the content broadcast on Radio One stations is a product and reflection of the audiences we serve. We at Radio One pride ourselves on our close-knit relationships with our listening audience and view them as members of our extended family. This causes us to be responsive to and engaged in the many public affairs issues facing the local communities where we broadcast.

"How we serve our audiences can be summarized with two recent examples. Just within the last week two of our popular radio DJs who host shows with a hip-hop format, one of whom can be heard in Dallas and Augusta and one of whom can be heard in Detroit, played an instrumental role in bringing national attention to the issues faced by six black teenagers known as the Jena 6. We are proud to say that the efforts of many of our local radio stations to raise awareness of the Jena 6 case and organize bus caravans helped lead thousands of citizens to Louisiana . . . and played a pivotal role in making the rally for justice in Jena such a resounding success.

"Also, last week, in response to the senseless violence that is currently plaguing Philadelphia, causing the city to lead the nation in homicides, our local station Praise 103.9 organized a sold-out gospel concert featuring Yolanda Adams and Les Brown at Sharon Baptist Church focusing on the theme of Black Life Has Value. We broadcast the concert live on 103.9 and also had personalities from our hip-hop station in attendance to show their support for this important message.

"I mention these events because they represent Radio One's commitment to our audience and are important to truly understanding who we are as a company . . .

"Throughout the course of our nation's history there have been many debates and differing opinions regarding musical content, freedom of speech and what constitutes art. . . . When it comes to hip-hop, some may choose to focus on particular artists or music that they find objectionable, and I believe that sort of debate is healthy and ultimately good for our society.

"However, it should be noted that hip-hop music is not representative of the bulk of the content that we at Radio One provide. . . . Only a small minority, 14 out of 60 total stations, have an urban contemporary format and they play hip-hop music that often reflects the realities that many in the audiences face and observe in their daily lives.

"Radio One is also not in charge of creating content, or in the business of censorship or determining what is in good or bad taste. However, while other media platforms do not have public-interest obligations . . . we are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Radio One has always taken great care to comply with FCC guidelines and standards in regard to content. In fact, it should be pointed out, that of all the music platforms available to listeners today, only broadcast radio is required to take steps to protect our listeners.

"Furthermore, it is Radio One's policy that no song can be broadcast over the radio until it is listened to and the content reviewed. Every Radio One station has a program director who is directly responsible for the music that is broadcast on that station. Each of our radio stations receive radio-edit versions of songs, which, if necessary, are further edited consistent with FCC regulations and local community standards . . .

"That being said, part of the success of Radio One is based on the fact that we as a company respond to the variety and diversity of musical tastes of our audiences . . . Radio in many ways is a reflection of its community and what its listeners want to hear. We pride ourselves on being local broadcasters, with the emphasis on "local." It is broadcasters that offer the localism that communities need and deserve. Furthermore, while hip-hop music is many different things to many different people, it is important to remember this revolutionary art form has created a multitude of opportunities and economic benefits for those who may not otherwise have had such an opportunity. . . .

"We at Radio One are proud of our track record and are committed to serving the needs of our diverse audience and being responsible broadcasters."