To tired,though its important. Next time bring bag lunches. Public must stay alert... Don't pay 'em if they don't do right. That's Playing Their B-L Market?
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by FCC, Public Access Pt. 2 Public Access’s Future P2. Ms. Ana,Realini, Membership Coordinator, T.J.,Mr. Williams and myself along with other people of the overflow crowd. Three members of the FCC,owners of mainstream, alternative,independent media,and well know radio personalities are on the panel looking a diverse group of folks. My mini-recorder works but not from where I was sitting. First many owner/ operators spoke of localism losing ground being bought out or by Clear Channel, Disney (which owns Warner Brother’s as an example). It is decided the discussion is so lively, important,that frequent breaks are out. Thundering Applause for two FCC members and Radio DJ personality Mr. Davy D. "I’ve worked in radio close to 15 years… [Pieces of Mr. Davy D’s introduction missing] and probably one of the most influential radio stations in the country,which is KMEL,which is a Clear Channel Affiliate. With that being said a few things I want you to keep in mind-Radio, generally speaking is very apt at doing what we call smoke and mirrors in the business. That means that the images we present and image,make it sound good at selling things,crunching numbers,and painting this picture that really achieves our end. The thing that we depend upon collectively speaking is the fact that the average person doesn’t really know what goes on behind the scenes. The type of manipulation that takes place,all the types of games that’s played,to really paint this picture – that being said, what happens is… You have few DJ’s like myself speaking out…" There’s this whole question about localism is motivated by an economic agenda,or is it really a sincere,genuine concern what the local community needs?" Even if they as owners disagree with that and that’s where the real question comes in. So we have to keep that in mind-the other thing that happens is when we forget to do all the smoke and mirrors – that all these changes that we’re talking about even if you can find radio stations that can show these examples their not institutionalized. So you know you can point to all across the country and say "good DJ’s at this station,he showed all the public love for us, oh that radio station,they did a nice thing for us, they did a concert and all that,but it isn’t institutionalized." What happens if that local DJ who doing the favor you all doesn’t like you? What happens if the radio station that owns 12th and Marked decides that they don’t feel your organization cause you were organizing and doing all the activism work resulted in these types of hearings? You might not be on the airways;you won’t have access to the public. So you have to have these things institutionalized – it might not be a radio station doing you a favor. Mr. D. spoke at length on how many DJ’s are intimidated, and many lesser know were fired from their jobs or otherwise punished for views that are politically volatile at the time. My eyelids feel heavy each fold its weight is felt. Davy D. continues "All the time radio plays this winner take all mentality…" Many parts of his speech are missed. Before he has to leave I did a quick interview (finally,I’m interviewing not being the interviewee). Before the interview there’s a bathroom break, orange cards with numbers for those want part public comment. Part of this open forum. Many more voices from small,large,radio station owners,DJ’s,and average citizens too much for me transcribe all voices so Mr. Davy D’s the one I hoped to speak if only for 2 minutes. Outside the conference, still inside the building, on the mainly blue carpet press and regular folks surround Mr. D. I had to swoop in fast,get some words from him and vanish before he vanished. There's a personal motive,a question I must ask. "Name is Joseph Bolden, Poor Magazine,I’m trying to break into voice over work. Do I have to go through the same kind of crap that everybody’s going through just to…" Davy D.-"I don’t know what you have to with voice over,I mean people that I’ve worked with that do ‘em, they do they’re own, and then they create a whole package find out a way to present their wares and tares to other people. I think in this stage of the game;unless you have something about you and people know you its very doubtful…" Thank you very much." Ms. Ana,still in her white angel gown and aluminum foil halo tells me "you have a ride to San Francisco if I go now." I want to drive back with the group I came with but after finding T.J., knowing Ana of Media Alliance would be a the conference until it closed. I catch my ride home hoping T.J. rode back with Ana and Mr. Williams. I couldn’t keep eyes open in the back seat as the three friends talked of FCC,the upcoming election, though we did speak of flying cars,some economics. Its 1:45, my phone is blinking,answer machine showing numbers of calls, didn’t know if was a girlfriend singular or plural,parent,job,or anyone else didn’t care. I strip, pray, thinking it was a really long day, then sleep. also M.O.'s (hey, I work at P-M-I that's it. |