They said it in 2004: February
As the old year exits stage right and the New Year makes its way to center stage, we thought we'd string together a compendium of quotes which appeared in RBR during the past year. Today here's one to ponder "I'm sure in some way it was planned, because somehow it really seemed that way...." February 2004
* "Since newspapers are a much more important source for local news than the FCC gives them credit for, and TV is the second most important source, mergers between these two effectively eliminate diversity of viewpoints and competition of ideas in our local media, which is exactly what the FCC is supposed to protect." - - Consumer Union's Gene Kimmelman, criticizing loosening crossownership restrictions (2/2/04 RBR #21)
* "If the US invades Iraq and they are 'clean' (no weapons of mass destruction), then he (O'Reilly) will apologize to the nation and not trust the Bush administration again."-- KGO-AM talker Bernie Ward quoting Bill O'Reilly and asking his listeners to e-mail O'Reilly and ask him to apologize. (2/2 RBR #21)
* "I'm sure in some way it was planned, because somehow it really seemed that way. I don't know who put that in there, who thought of it, whether it was the artist or not, but the NFL is going to start clamping down."-- Andy Donchin, Carat USA SVP/Director of National Broadcast on the Janet Jackson fiasco (2/3 RBR #22)
* "The fiasco seems to have a life of its own now and in my opinion, the fiasco is not the 'act,' but the over-the-top reaction of politicians getting on the band wagon, political groups and the 'outraged' citizens who now file class actions...Do you mean to tell me that the Victoria's Secret fashion show does not compare to this for it's prurient interest and obvious philosophy of blatant sale of sex? The uproar over that was far less. Give me a break. Chill out." - - Stan Elgart on the Super Bowl, in a Bounce back email to RBR/TVBR (2/10/04 RBR #27)
* "The environment for radio has improved. While, overall, the quarter was modestly better than our expectations and our guidance, the year ended strong with December cash advertising revenue growing 10% versus the prior year." - - Radio One on a perceived end to the advertising slump while discussing Q4 2003 revenue results (2/11/04 RBR #28)
* "Broadcasting is an industry that has failed to control itself." - - Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) (2/12/04 RBR #29)
* "By my account, we have over 2,000 studies and reports on the effect of violent entertainment on children - - virtually all of them bad. They say if you watch a lot of violent material, your child is going to be more violent. It's time to act on this. It's not as if this is something new to any of us." - - Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) (2/12/04 RBR #29)
* "Broadcasters have a long history of being responsive to community needs, whether it be Amber Alerts, coverage of local issues, emergency weather warnings, or providing airtime for charities. The time has come for a full and frank dialogue with our media colleagues on voluntary programming responsibility." - - NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts (2/12/04 RBR #29)
* "Ultimately, this means that a few media giants will control almost everything that Americans read, watch and hear. Congress needs to act now to stop this dangerous development."-- Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on the potential Comcast/Disney merger. (2/12 TVBR #29)
* "The rise of the cable industry and its ability to provide competitive programming alternatives to serve the diverse interests of our citizens has also given rise to more opportunities for the worst of programming to invade our living rooms...I challenge the cable industry to consider ways in which it can help to positively improve the quality of choices available to viewers and more fully empower families to shield indecent and excessively violent programming from their children." - - FCC Chairman Michael Powell (2/13/04 RBR #30)
* "...I challenge the broadcast community to reinstate a voluntary code of conduct. A code of conduct would offer effective guidance and best practices to local broadcasters to address the needs and concerns of parents, children and local communities - - particularly in the areas of indecent, profane and violent programming." - - FCC Chairman Michael Powell (2/13/04 RBR #30)
* "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are entering media markets at a pace never before seen, flooding the cable and satellite television network and program production ranks." - - FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy (2/13/04 RBR #30)
* "Across this country, we heard that weakening media concentration rules threatens the very survival of small businesses. As fewer and fewer companies control our media outlets, small local broadcasters will find it harder and harder to compete. Media analysts expect that the only option for small broadcasters will now be to sell." - - FCC Commissioner Michael Copps (2/13/04 RBR #30)
* "When you sign a discharge petition, you're essentially going against your leadership. And you better be...committed and willing to pay the price to do that." - - Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE), on efforts to force a House vote on the Dorgan-Lott repudiation of the FCC 6/2/03 ownership ruling (2/16/04 RBR #31)
* "Overall, our block programming business represents a reliable stream of revenues and cash flow which grow steadily and consistently, something no other publicly traded radio broadcaster can claim." - - Salem Communications CEO Ed Atsinger, on the Religious specialist's unique ability to weather downturns in the advertising environment (2/16/04 RBR #31)
* "In 2003, we recorded strong revenue growth that significantly outperformed the broadcasting industry as a whole. The exceptional performance of our television and radio stations, which represent 80% of our total revenues, highlights our leadership position in the nation's most densely populated Hispanic markets." - - Entravision Chairman/CEO Walter Ulloa (2/16/04 RBR #31)
* "Bottom line, we have a lot of work to do...We must ensure that while we are moving quickly, we are also moving smartly...we are still too dependent on marketing tactics that are not "in touch" with today's consumer...There must be and is life beyond the 30-second TV spot, we all say this but most of our spending and activities systems revolve around that."-- Jim Stengel, global marketing officer at Procter & Gamble speaking at the AAAAs conference in Orlando. (2/16 TVBR #31)
* "[Michael Powell is]...currying favor with cultural conservatives by pretending to be outraged over Janet Jackson's 'costume reveal.'" - - New York Times columnist William Safire (2/17/04 RBR #32)
* "[The FCC indecency standard] is not sufficiently clear to allow broadcasters to make informed decisions regarding broadcast material that is entitled to constitutional protection." - - Emmis Communications, protesting an FCC indecency fine against WKQX-FM Chicago (2/19/04 RBR #34)
* "Record labels signed cutting edge artists, and FM radio offered an incredible variety of music. Music touched fans in unique and personal ways. Our culture was enriched and the music business was healthy and strong. That's all changed...Radio stations used to be local and diverse. Deejays programmed their own shows and developed close relationships with artists. Today radio stations are centrally programmed by their corporate owners, and airplay is essentially bought rather than earned." - - Recording artist Don Henley (2/19/04 RBR #34)
* "Don't screw up. If you don't comply, you'll be fired for cause. This company won't be a poster child for indecency." - - allegedly said by Viacom President/COO Mel Karmazin, during a conference call with Infinity Radio execs (2/20/04 RBR #35)
* "They're banding together to extort money, telling people they're guilty and they will have to pay big bucks to defend their cases if they don't pony up now. It is fundamentally not fair...This scare tactic has caused a vast amount of settlements from individuals who feared fighting such a large institution and feel victim to these actions and felt forced to provide funds to settle these actions instead of fighting."- Attorney Bart Lombardo representing a mom whose child was sued by the RIAA (2/20 RBR #35)
* "Four years ago, broadcasters masqueraded their concern about competition from new low power FM stations in grossly exaggerated claims of interference. Today, the FCC has stripped the broadcasters of this disguise by concluding that these stations would cause virtually no interference, and recommending the removal of certain limits on such stations...While it may be too late to turn back the clock on the radio consolidation that has occurred, low power FM may be one means of providing the public with a locally-oriented alternative to huge national radio networks." - - Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (2/23/04 RBR #36)
* "If there are rules of indecency, and there are, then this is a show that has rolled over them like the Zamboni machine between periods of a Lightning game...I wonder if [Clear Channel President/COO Mark] Mays ever listens to Bubba. If he doesn't see (or hear) a radio problem maybe he ought to have his sound engineers check the circuits between his ears." - - columnist Steve Otto of the Tampa Tribune (2/25/04 RBR #38)
* "Clear Channel is serious about helping address the rising tide of indecency on the airwaves. As broadcast licensees, we are fully responsible for what our stations air, and we intend to make sure all our DJs and programmers understand what is and what is not appropriate on Clear Channel radio shows." - - Clear Channel President/COO Mark Mays announcing the group's Responsible Broadcasting Initiative (2/26/04 RBR #39)
* "Networks are being proactive in the effort to clean up the airwaves. But these steps do not lessen the need for our legislation to increase the fines significantly for those who violate the FCC's indecency standards. Although I do not question the merits of the actions by broadcasters to clean up their act, will they still be as vigilant without the eyes of Congress staring down on them?" - - Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) (2/27/04 RBR #40)
* "Today, more than anything else, I'm embarrassed. I've read the transcript of a Clear Channel radio show featuring the personality known as Bubba the Love Sponge...As a broadcaster, as a CEO, and as a parent of a nine-year-old girl, I am ashamed to be in any way associated with those words. They are tasteless, they are vulgar, and they should not, do not - - and will not - - represent what Clear Channel is about." - - Clear Channel Radio President/CEO John Hogan before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (2/27/04 RBR #40)
* "The rules are very vague. I'm not going to take the chance of being anywhere near the line. We have pulled way, way back."-syndicated morning man Tom Griswold ("Bob & Tom") on CC Radio's "No Tolerance" indecency policy. (2/27 RBR #40)
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
