Hold Clear Channel Accountable to Bay Area Communities

The Youth Media Council (YMC) is heading a coalition that is poised to file a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) objecting to the renewal of broadcasting licenses for local Clear Channel stations KMEL; KYLD, 94.9 FM; and KNEW, 910 AM. Renewal applications and complaints against the stations are due November 1. Station licenses are granted for eight year periods.

Clear Channel is a huge national radio conglomerate that owns eleven stations in the Bay Area. The company is well known for promoting pro-war and right wing perspectives. YMC's formal complaint points out that Clear Channel ignores local issues and local musical artists, promotes racial division, violence and war, and is not accountable to the community.

As Asian Law Caucus attorney Malcolm Yeung told the SF Bay Guardian, "There's no accountability to the community. There's no accountability from market forces, because of consolidation. And there's no accountability from the FCC, because of deregulation."

YMC asserts that Clear Channel:

… Violates FCC rules by owning 11 radio stations in the Bay Area market

… Cut community affairs positions from their stations, fired progressive community leader Davey D from KMEL, and yet pays millions to infamous reactionary Michael Savage on KNEW

… Controls more than 1,200 radio stations nationwide, with more than 100 in California alone

YMC is asking the FCC to:

… pressure Clear Channel to reinstate the position of community affairs director at all its Bay Area stations, and

… increase relevant local programming to at least 50%

The Bay Area deserves better than Clear Channel's domination of local airwaves without accountability to our communities.

Go to Local Impact and TAKE ACTION before November 1, 2005 to demand that the FCC hold Clear Channel accountable or revoke its Bay Area broadcast licenses.