Friday's Radio & Media News - May 31, 2013

Huffington Post: 'Talk Radio Is Not Bonafide News!' One of the first questions Tom Wheeler's FCC will have to decide is "is talk radio the same as 'bonafide news'?" says Sue Wilson, Director of the "Broadcast Blues" Media Action Center, in a Huffington Post article. Wheeler, of course, has been nominated by President Obama to be the new Chairman of the FCC. Wilson's view on the question comes early -- with the headline, "Tell the FCC: Talk Radio Is Not 'Bonafide News'!" But she claims she's not alone in that view. "More than three-quarters of the American public say no, according to Pew Research, and one would think an agency sworn to protect the public interest and its airwaves would agree with that vast majority. But will Wheeler choose to put the public interest first, or will his FCC continue to simply turn a blind eye, as the agency has done since the Reagan administration?" According to the HuffPo article, the "bonafide news" question has its roots in an urgent complaint filed at the FCC in the middle of the 2012 Scott Walker gubernatorial recall campaign in Wisconsin. "Two huge local AM radio stations (WISN and WTMJ) were actively promoting candidate Walker on their local talk radio programs for about 160 minutes a day, every day, even using our publicly-owned airwaves to recruit volunteers for the Walker campaign. But neither station would allow a single supporter of the other candidate (Democrat Tom Barrett) on their shows." Says Wilson, "Such selective private censorship over our public airwaves violates not only the First Amendment -- by denying certain individuals free speech -- but also the "Zapple Doctrine," a little known FCC rule (also called the quasi-equal opportunities rule) that requires stations to provide comparable time for supporters of both political parties when it is requested." We're also told that with assistance from the Media Action Center (MAC), Wisconsin citizens filed a complaint on May 24, 2012, expecting to have the matter resolved before the 2012 general election. "But nothing happened." Read more here. MHBC's view on this question is two-fold. Of course a radio talk show is not the same as a fact-based newscast. But if talk radio is not "bonafide news" (something a bit different), then why do "legitimate" (and often major) news media (including the Huffington Post) so often quote radio talkers comments as "bonafide news" -- that they said something, especially if it's controversial. Two examples quickly come to mind: Rush Limbaugh's infamous "slut" comments, and Don Imus' memorable "Ho's" (and not a Yuletide "ho ho ho"). Sorry, HuffPo, if it ain't "bonafide news," don't report it! For that matter, we are now wondering if Wilson's article is "bonafide news" -- or is it just a blogger talker's opinion that media covering radio are reporting? FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn Makes Staff Announcements The FCC's Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn makes staff appointments. “I am delighted to welcome this group of outstanding professionals and public servants to my office. Their roles and responsibilities are vital to the Commission’s work as we serve the American people. This is a strong team, and I will rely on their steady counsel, depth of knowledge, and valuable experience in my role as Acting Chairwoman,” says Clyburn. She appointed P. Michele Ellison, currently Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, as Chief of Staff. Dave Grimaldi will serve as Chief Counsel and Senior Legal Advisor. She also named legal advisors, including Louis Peraertz for wireless, international, and public safety issues; Rebekah Goodheart for wireline issues; and Sarah Whitesell, currently Deputy Bureau Chief of the Media Bureau, for media issues. Drema Johnson will serve as Confidential Assistant. Dorothy Givens-Terry will serve as Special Assistant. Carol Lott and DeeAnn Smith will serve as Staff Assistants. Ellison, who will serve as Chief of Staff, previously served as Chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. Grimaldi will serve as Chief Counsel and Senior Legal Advisor. Grimaldi previously served as Chief of Staff in then Commissioner Clyburn’s office after serving as Senior Counsel to House Majority Whip James Clyburn on technology and telecommunications, foreign affairs, and financial services regulation. According to an FCC announcement, Peraertz -- who will serve as Legal Advisor for wireless, international, and Public Safety issues -- joined then Commissioner Clyburn’s staff in October 2009. Prior to this, he served as Special Counsel in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau focusing on competition, spectrum allocation, and infrastructure policy issues. Goodheart, who will serve as Legal Advisor for wireline issues, has worked at the Commission since January 2008. She served as Deputy Director of the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force and Associate Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau. Whitesel, who will serve as Legal Advisor for media issues, previously was Deputy Bureau Chief of the Media Bureau, where she shaped policies for the media marketplace on broadcast ownership, children's issues, and media transactions, among other matters. Johnson will serve as Confidential Assistant, responsible for managing the office as well as the Acting Chairwoman’s personal schedule and travel arrangements. She previously served as Special Assistant to former House Speaker Thomas S. Foley and as Confidential Assistant to former FCC Chairman William Kennard. More recently, she was appointed to the Federal Commission for the Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemoration on behalf of Senator Mark Warner and former Governor, now Senator Tim Kaine. Smith will serve as Staff Assistant. She joined the agency in 2009 and will continue to assist in carrying out the mission of the Clyburn office and the agency. She has an extensive administrative background, including experience in the legal and marketing industries. Givens-Terry will serve as Special Assistant. Terry is an experienced researcher, interviewer, reporter and entrepreneur. Lott will serve as Special Assistant. Carol Lott brings more than 26 years of administrative and office management experience to the Acting Chief of Staff as a Special Assistant. The Administrative Management Specialist in the Enforcement Bureau previously served as a senior staff assistant in the Chairman’s office, the Executive Administrator and Office Manager for Temple Strategies and an Executive Assistant in the Office of General Counsel. Coco Brother Quits 'Spirit Of Hip Hop' Show Atlanta-based syndicated personality Coco Brother (Cory Condrey) exits his inspirational "Spirit of Hip Hop" show. The show originated at Radio One’s "Praise 102.5" WPZE-FM, and aired on more than three dozen stations. AccessAtlanta's Rodney Ho reports that Coco Brother said he's "struggled the past 18 months whether to leave or not." Coco Brother tells Ho, "I cleaned my office out a month ago." The Atlanta media reporter notes that Coco wrote a resignation note, which included, "If you are wondering, I will continue to do radio, but I feel like I need to spread my wings in order to grow at the level that I'm being called to." Condrey has plans to launch his own radio company and sign other hosts. So what's next, in the short run? The host -- who continues "Lift Every Voice" for BET -- says he will spend the summer working with kids at the Exodus Youth Camp. "I'm tired of reading news stories of how this kid got killed," says Coco Brother/Condrey. In his note to Radio One, Coco wrote: "This is not a good bye guys.... It's moving more into destiny and purpose. I look forward to spending time with you ALL in the future. I'm here for you.... ALWAYS willing to serve however I can." Gospel artist James Fortune, who is based in Houston, will be in Atlanta the next two weeks as his show "The James Fortune Show" takes over CoCo's "Praise 102.5" 7-10pm slot. Atlanta's 'Magic' Goes Local in Afternoons with 'SiMan' Radio One Urban AC "Magic 107.5/97.5" WAMJ-FM/WUMJ-FM, Atlanta, goes local in the afternoon moving night host Silas "SiMan" Alexander up from nights. SiMan fills the gap created by the end of the syndicated Michael Baisden show. "Magic" had aired Cumulus Media's Baisden replacement offering Skip Murphy. But station management says they "felt we needed a local program" in afternoons. Radio One Atlanta General Manager Tim Davies says he decided to drop Murphy, and move SiMan up from nights where he's aired on "Magic" for the past seven years. The last time SiMan hosted afternoons was more than a decade ago at "Kiss 104.1" WALR-FM. "I'm no Michael Baisden," says "SiMan" Alexander. "It won't be the same show. Hopefully, it will have the good energy Michael Baisden brings. That's all I can promise. I will have to grow into it and see what happens." Meanwhile, market veteran Rene Miller is named to replace Alexander on the night shift. Miller, a longtime host in the market, returns to the 107.5 frequency of her former Jazz station radio home after a four-year break from radio to run a marketing company, working with the Georgia Lottery. Artie Moves to Afternoons on Charlotte's ‘V101.9’ CBS Radio's Urban AC "V101.9" WBAV-FM, Charlotte, adds Artie for "Artie in the Afternoon," starting Monday (June 3), as she crosses the hall from sister Urban "Power 98" WPEG-FM where she's hosted middays. Says Operations Manager and Program Director Terri Avery, "We are excited to bring a show to afternoon drive that is not only live and local but is able to address the topics that are most important to our community while giving our audience the best variety of hits and ol’ School. We are excited for Artie to take on this new challenge. She is passionate about the format and has earned this opportunity." Providence's WPRO Launches Online Op-Ed Page "Newstalk 630" WPRO-AM (also simulcast on 99.7 FM), Providence, is launching "Your Voice, Your Turn" -- an op-ed platform on 630WPRO.com -- where the voices of "notable Rhode Islanders will share their opinions with the people of the Ocean State." To launch the new online feature on 630WPRO.com, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Deborah Gist has written an op-ed entitled, "The Truth About Testing." Before coming to Rhode Island, Gist served as the first State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. She began her career in education 25 years ago as an elementary-school teacher in Fort Worth and, later, in Tampa, where she conceived, designed, and initiated a literacy program serving families in 108 elementary schools in Hillsborough County. Says WPRO Program Director Craig Schwalb, "As Commissioner of Education, Ms. Gist's voice is prominent in, and important to, Rhode Island which makes her the perfect choice to launch the 'Your Voice, Your Turn' Op-Ed platform on 630wpro.com." We're also told that 630WPRO.com will showcase the views of other notable Rhode Islanders on a regular basis. Former gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio, now running for his former position as Rhode Island General Treasurer, is scheduled to offer the next "Your Voice, Your Turn" op-ed. Updated: What's Going On Now at RadioDiscussions.com? Original Report: Board Editors MIA, No New 'Official Posts' for Several Days Is it just the moving of the board site to new servers under its new owners -- or is something more under way at the leading national radio board site, RadioDiscussions.com? The site, just recently acquired by Streamline (Radio Ink and RBR), we'd been told, was being moved to new servers. That was the word from "Managing Board Editor" on May 23, in response to a user question in the "Ask RadioDiscussions" section. But no one has heard from "Managing Board Editor" since then, when MBE posted, "I can't stress enough how fast things are changing to improve the user experience. My staff and I have been here for most of the last decade and we sympathize with how irritating some of these problems have been. Those issues will soon be a thing of the past." But a new user question -- on "Posts coming and going?" -- in a thread started May 28, has yet to receive any official response. Many additional posts by RadioDiscussions "members" have been added, up to and including today -- all noting problems wth "posts keep coming and going" - appearing, disappearing and at some point re-appearing. That, we've guessed, is related to the in-progress (?) move to new servers. But we wonder why there's been no official response? MBE is not the only one currently MIA. There have been no "announcement" posts from "Board Editor" -- where new topics are highlighted and users are encouraged to "Read and discuss" with a link to the thread -- since May 27. Those posts have previously been made, to stimulate discussions, virtually every day, including weekends. It may only be that the transition necessitates the temporary (?) halt of "board editor" posts of any kind. But already the rumor mill is buzzing that they (actually staff moderators) are out under the new ownership, despite MBE's upbeat last post, May 23 -- or an official statement that the existing moderators/board editors were being retained by the new owners. We are waiting to find out what's really happening! UPDATE: In a May 31 update to our May 30 report, we see a new post dated today at the popular board site from "Board Editor" (which may or may not be an original member of the editors/moderators team), addressing the "missing posts" issue. However, some, noting the format of the post, believe it is further evidence that the original team is now gone, and the post is actually from someone with the site's new ownership. The post reads: "Everyone, The current situation in regards to missing posts/threads is being dealt with by our new IT department. Needless to say, recurring issues that we have all experienced over the past 6 years need serious review. We would ask for your patience over the next couple days as fixes to the underlying problems are vigorously being sought and complete DNS propagation after implementation could take upwards of 48 hours. The following is from our Managing Board Editor: 'I've been assured by our new owners at Streamline Digital that these problems will soon be in our rear view mirror. We are porting the site to a new version of board software and are in the process of moving to a new server. Please bear with us as we implement these new changes.' If you have questions, feel free to get in contact with MBE at his email boardadmin@RBR.com. We apologize for any inconvenience. Sincererly, RadioDiscussions.com Board Administration". Also MHBC offers a clarification of our original report. "We are not questioning the commitment or integrity of the new ownership, as some have erroneously inferred," writes our Mark Harris. "Our only question centers on what changes are being made behind the scenes other than new board software and servers." Harris adds, "As I've previously stated publicly, I have the highest level of confidence in Eric Rhoads as the new Publisher of RadioDiscussions. If there was any challenge intended, it's only if the promised transparency of changes has become somewhat opaque. Many remember the behind-the-scenes changes by the former owners after the untimely death of co-founder Doug Fleming, and the ouster of other co-founders -- and the backlash that ensued. After his ouster, Lance Venta started RadioInsight.com, which today is more of a specialized news site than a board site." JUNE 2 - FURTHER UPDATE: Although some are still disputing this, it appears that most (if not all) of the questions previously raised have been satisfactorily answered. This weekend (June 1-2) posts by "board editors" returned in both the "Ask" and "Announcements" sections -- which (to us) appear to be similar enough to previous such posts to indicate a "nefarious plot to drastically change" RadioDiscussions.com -- alleged by one site which we won't dignify with an identification or link -- is the imagination of someone looking for controversy. That unnamed site (since cited directly by others) has been suggesting "the end of the radio discussions boards as we have known them" in favor of "a strictly promotional site for Streamline's Radio Ink and RBR/TVBR." We expect some integration of the boards with radio/media news reporting from Streamline's online offerings, but (as previously noted) believe that will be a "good thing." RD's most successful era came when it was previously joined by the former owners with their own news site. Linking to news reports from Streamline's offerings (possibly reviving the old "discuss here" links to the boards) can only encourage more stimulating and worthwhile discussions on RadioDiscussions.com's various boards, according to our Mark Harris. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio As JVC Media takes over (via an LMA) the Gainesville-Ocala Florida cluster they are acquiring from Asterisk Communications, JVC will flip two of the stations to new formats June 1. News Talk "99.5 The Star" WBXY-FM flips to Dance CHR "Party 99.5" (the same format heard on JVC's 105.3 Long Island). Sports Talk "105 The Game" WYGC-FM will begin simulcasting sister Country WTRS-FM, which will drop its "Thunder Country" brand in favor of "My Country" on both signals ... Results Radio swaps the frequencies and call letters of co-owned Classic Hits "K-Hits" KCCL-FM and AC "Sunny" KMJE-FM, Sacramento. This moves their "K-Hits" from 92.1 to 101.5 FM. KCCL-FM is being temporarily simulcast on KMJE=FM. Future plans for KMJE-FM remain to be announced, but "Sunny" is apparently out ... Lexington, Kentucky, based LM Communications Radio Group VP of Programming Charlie Kendall is retiring after a 50-year radio career. "Not many people can find what they want to do in life at the age of 14 and keep doing it for 50 years. I have been so fortunate to work with some of the greatest owners, managers and DJs on this planet and I've had the opportunity to hold every job in radio including ownership," says Kendall ... Hot AC "Live 95.9" WBEC-FM, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, welcomes veteran radio host Rob Poulin for mornings ... Jim Apfelbaum's "That's Golf" show celebrates its 16th anniversary on Sports Talk "1300 The Zone" KVET-AM, Austin Saturday (June 1). The program airs Saturday mornings from 8-9am and is the longest-running golf radio show in Texas.