I am sure that unless you avoid all media, you probably recall the famous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction and attendant brouhaha. Fines were levied, charges leveled, appeals made, and now…. The Appeal Has Been Won!

“Wait a minute,” you might say. “That was television. What does it have to do with radio?”

Well, the ramifications of this case are already being felt throughout all broadcast media. Corey Deitz over at About.com sums it up nicely:

From the time this incident occurred during the 2004 Superbowl performance of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, all broadcast media licensed by the government has been treading on eggshells for fear of fines. In response to this wave of paranoia, I created “The R.I.P List” (Radio in Persecution) compiling a chronology of major events in the Indecency Issue.

It is wonderful news to hear that The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on July 20 that the FCC “acted arbitrarily and capriciously” when it fined against CBS television over the now famous Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident. I’m sure that CBS is thrilled that the $550,000 indecency fine has been dropped, and broadcasters, regardless of medium, are breathing a sigh of relief.

Mr. Deitz’s RIP list (linked above) will give you a good idea of the battle that has been going on between an FCC trying to hyper-extend its powers and the broadcast radio industry. In addition you might want to take a quick look at another of his articles from back in 2004 when Ms. Jacksons’ nipple started all of this contention. In it, he looks directly at the censorship clause of the 1934 Communications Act and then asks, “Is the FCC Breaking the Law?“

I think we need to identify instances of “chilling effects” like these and subject them to scrutiny. Attempts to browbeat the media through fines and intimidation should not be tolerated. (Can you tell that Edward R. Murrow is a hero of mine?)

Zimbabwe is an area that it is in turmoil. Political murders, rigged elections, and inflation of 2.2. million percent assure that the nation is usually linked to bad news whenever it’s mentioned in the media. It is not the sort of place that free speech seems to flourish.

Despite that, there is a voice in the free speech wilderness: SW Radio Africa. Despite harassment from paramilitary forces, having their signal jammed, and being forced into hiding several times which did manage to force the station out of the country, it now broadcasts into Zimbabwe from London. Gerry Jackson, the founder, has undertaken a mammoth undertaking. The Independent UK has this to say:

“Everything to do with this project has been unbelievably difficult and continues to be unbelievably difficult,” she says. Money was hard to come by; the station has had to rely on funding from NGOs that support independent media, such as the Open Society Institute. [Disclosure: I work on contract for the Open Society Institute as well. I am their blogger for Katrina Media.org. -Loki] While the station began by broadcasting three hours a day, a lack of cash means it is now on air only two.

Still, two hours a day is better than none. Read on and you will start to understand the important place SW Radio Zimbabwe holds as a beacon in the midst of mind bending violence and socio-political chaos. Radio can reach where other technologies come up against a brick wall.

But radio remains the best medium for communicating with people in Zimbabwe. People who don’t have a television or a personal computer will generally either own a radio or have access to one – wind-up and solar-powered devices are popular. Shortwave is a powerful tool against dictators and despots – a signal can travel thousands of miles, so broadcasts can be transmitted into Zimbabwe from anywhere in the world.

Each day, SW Radio Africa broadcasts news from north London to Zimbabweans about the events in their country. Much of it comes from people on the ground, who talk to the station on their mobile phones or send text messages. The station’s seven journalists are on the phone to Zimbabwe all day, says Jackson, often experiencing difficulty in getting through.

Using cell phones to get the story to London so it can be broadcast back to Zimbabwe? Now that is creative use of the technology! As hard as that must be to juggle, there are other aspects that are worse. The constant blood and death, sometimes communicated as it happens, would take a toll on anyone. Ms. Jackson perseveres, though.

The job is extremely difficult. “You’re dealing with incredible violence,” says Jackson. “It’s a very depressing story to cover on a daily basis. These are not people you don’t know – these are friends and acquaintances being killed.” Last year, Jackson had to report on the murder of a former ZBC colleague, the cameraman Ed Chikombo.

Many people, increasingly desperate, are turning to SW Radio Africa for help, Jackson says. “They have nowhere else to turn to. So, more and more, they turn to the radio station and send text messages of appeal: ‘I’m being attacked – can you help me?’”

I can only imagine the feeling of receiving that as a text message. Check out the article in The Independent. It shows both the depths and the heights of the human spirit.

Screencapture: The SW Radio Africa Website

Well this is news that I am pleased to hear! ABC Radio is planning on using 100% renewable energy in its Dallas, TX, headquarters. Check out the press release:

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As the environment continues to take center stage on the national agenda, ABC Radio Networks announced today it will power its Dallas building with 100 percent renewable energy. The new contract will cut 5,442 metric tons of CO₂ emissions throughout the life of the contract — or the equivalent of removing 987 cars from Dallas roads. The decision makes ABC Radio Networks one of the first media outlets based in Dallas to go green.

“The decision to power our Dallas building with 100 percent renewable energy is one we’re very proud of,” said Jim Robinson, President of ABC Radio Networks. “As we looked for additional ways to protect our environment, it was important that we partner with a leading energy provider that shares the same commitment. TXU Energy was a natural fit for us. They developed a customized plan that fit nicely within our green efforts and initiatives.”

“Partnering with ABC Radio Networks builds upon the Dell and Hillwood renewable contracts we announced earlier this year,” said Jim Burke, chief executive officer, TXU Energy. “This demonstrates that we provide our customers customized choices that meet their business objectives to help the environment.”

This is not the first time the two companies have worked together. ABC Radio Networks has been a customer of TXU Energy for two years. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

In a time when stations are constantly broadcasting news about skyrocketing gas prices and energy “solutions,” it is nice to see one of the giants not only reporting, but also taking steps of their own. As environmental and energy concerns loom larger and larger it is fantastic to see one of our prominent corporate citizens taking a stand.

5,442 metric tons of CO₂ emissions is one hell of a stand to take!

Photo courtesy of extranoise, used under its Creative Commns license

The iPhone once again rears its sleek little head now that the craziness following the 3G’s release seems to have abated. Despite the iPocalypse on its release, the newest of the Apple family is already making waves. As with the Internet, those waves are based more on the applications it runs than the hardware itself.

Technology consultant for CBS Larry Magrid gives us a terrific review of the three main iPhone radio applications including a podcast recording of listening to New York- and Jamaica-based stations on it while driving around Silicon Valley.

With San Jose Mercury News technology reporter Troy Wolverton at the wheel, I plugged the iPhone into the auxiliary jack of his car radio while we drove around the San Jose, Calif. area listening to WCBS Newsradio from New York, a radio station from Kingston, Jamaica and a customized channel through Pandora.

Even at 66 miles an hour on U.S. Highway 101, the sound was better than what you’d expect from a clear FM signal. I also tuned into my local KCBS news station where the sound quality was definitely better than the station’s terrestrial AM signal.

As is frequently the case, and as I stated at the outset, it is usually the applications that are of primary importance in cases like this. Having already determined the sound quality the cost and efficiency of the programs is the next thing t look at:

There are at least three “live radio” software applications available, not only for the new iPhone, but for the older iPhone and the iPod Touch that have been updated with Apple’s new 2.0 software (free for iPhone users and $10 for iPod Touch users). Two of the programs: AOL Radio and Pandora are free while Tuner costs $4.99.

AOL Radio “Powered by CBS Radio” allows you to listen to more than 150 CBS music, news, talk and sports stations across the United States, as well as customized stations created specifically for online listening. By default, it uses the iPhone or iPod Touch’s location awareness capabilities to play stations in your area, but you can also use it for out-of-town stations.

Pandora doesn’t carry broadcast stations but allows users to create their own music programming by selecting their favorite artists or genres. It’s a very creative concept that can result in programming that is highly customized yet, unlike listening to your own MP3 files, still gives you the serendipity of not knowing which song will come next.

The other program, called Tuner, lets you select from thousands of Internet stations around world or type in the URL of any station that may not be included in its rather exhaustive list.

Now we seem to be heading towards those massive evolutionary leaps I have been predicting for a while now. One of radio’s biggest strengths has always been ubiquity of access to its content. In the age of the iPhone it would seem that reach is magnified.

Phto courtesy of spcoon, used under its Creative Commons license

Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network has been a growing concern for a while now. Today they released the news that CCTTN is now up to 500,000 paid subscribers.

Via The Business Wire Press Release:

SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network (CCTTN) today announced that half a million people are now signed up for the company’s real-time traffic service, where they are receiving the data from a growing number of distribution platforms. From the car to cell phones, CCTTN is continuing to form crucial partnerships that are expanding the business in this rapidly increasing sector.

“It’s rewarding to see that 500,000 subscribers and our automotive and navigation equipment customers are recognizing the value of real-time, accurate traffic service,” said Jeff Littlejohn, Executive Vice President of Distribution Development for Clear Channel Radio. “As the vibrant navigation and traffic market continues to expand, we are proud to be selected as a leading provider of real-time traffic to both established players and the new entrants. Consumers have a growing choice of navigation products, and traffic information has become an integral feature on these devices that have been flying off retailers’ shelves.”

Practical and immediate are two words that come to mind, and Clear Channel is clearly leveraging these two qualities as they embrace a multitude of delivery mechanisms. Once more I find the word evolution creeping into my writing.

CCTTN was chosen by four out of five navigation suppliers. Partnerships are plentiful for them and include arrangements with well known companies such as BMW, MINI USA, Volvo, Garmin, TomTom, NAVIGON, Mio Technology, Delphi, Kenwood, Clarion, Harmon Kardon, Panasonic, Siemens, and more.

Photo courtesy of respres, used under its Creative Commons license

ESPN The Magazine has been inspired to upload a selection of the best radio calls made in sports. What inspired this? Our sister project, “Radio Heard Here,” that’s what. I love the whole, “We thought radio was a dying medium until…” part.

Via ESPN The Magazine:

Radio Heard Here just released a sweeping survey on Americans’ favorite sports to listen to on the radio; while we kinda thought radio might be a dying medium (we love Mike and Mike, though!), ¾ of Americans actually have a clear favorite on the dial. Football wins out at 30 percent, followed by baseball (a sport that “grew up” in some respects with radio) at 25 percent. All this got us nostalgic, and our boss is old (his words, not ours), so we decided to rank some of the best radio calls of all-time.

Although not a sports fan myself, even I am aware of the penetration radio has in the world of competitive athletics. Tailgate parties always seem to have a radio tuned in to the event du jour. Workplaces around the country resonate frequently with the phrase, “Hey tune in and get the score, willya?”  And just as with politics, the commentators get caustic and excitable.

One thing I have noticed over the years, as a non fan, is that the people I run across seem to spend as much or more time soaking in the commentary that surrounds any given game than they do actually watching it. Arguing the scores and plays after the fact is by far the more time consuming and active part of sports. In this regard, radio has always excelled. Go on over to the ESPN website and check out some of the calls made over the radio during the years. It’s a touchdown.

Photo coutesy of Elvert Barnes, used under its Creative Commons license

The iPhone is probably one of the most talked about gadgets of recent history. Despite the iPocalypse surrounding the release of the 3G iPhones, interest is unabated even though Internet and media commentary are having a field day with Apple’s servers crashing during the debut.

iPhone Atlas, an iPhone info and news blog, covers four important new apps in their latest post: Google, MySpace, eBay and……. RADIO!

Actually, it’s AOL Radio for the iPhone, something I have posted about in the past. Now that we have left the realm of speculation behind, lets take a look at a hands on review on the iPhone Atlas site:

AOL’s Radio App for the iPhone and iPod touch is a native streaming application that is also location aware. Once you confirm access to your location it reveals Radio 2020 › Edit — WordPresslocal radio stations that provide streamed radio programming in your area. In the Houston Bay Area, the app revealed four stations: 100.3 KILT, CNN 650 Radio News, HOT 95.7 and Sports Radio 610. Other locales like Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles, etc. are offered.

A great deal more detail follows. Adding to favorites, remembering recent station and more all are indicators that a massive step forward is being taken as far as access to radio. The mobile device revolution is playing out around us. So far it would seem that the new iPhone, despite the myriad other issues surrounding its release, is going to be at the forefront of that mobile revolution!

Poto courtesy of William Hook, used under its Creative Commons license

One of my contracts is doing news roundups about health care issues, so I tend to do a lot of research on the subject. Recently in the course of doing so I ran across an article in Market Watch that made me think.

Now I am not going to espouse any political stance here. My views have no bearing on the subject. What I am going to do is take a look at a politically charged subject and how one side of the argument is making their case known.

Health care reform, as I am sure you cannot help noticing, is one of the top issues facing our Presidential contenders in their disputatious run for the Oval Office. Both sides of the aisle have presented proposed fixes which are hotly debated across the media and over water coolers nation wide.

An important facet of the discussion is veterans’ health care, and it is one that Sen. McCain is taking some heat over. The interesting thing is how that heat is being applied.

Via Market Watch:

This week, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) launched a nationwide radio ad campaign raising serious concerns about Senator McCain’s commitment to veterans’ health care. In addition to the radio ads, AFGE, which represents employees in the Department of Veterans Affairs, launched a Web site, www.fundtheva.com, and a series of YouTube ads featuring union veterans voicing their concerns about McCain’s controversial veterans health care platform.

It is hardly surprising that the AFGE is using YouTube. The Obama Campaign and recent debates have shown its use in reaching a broad audience in a viral fashion. What might surprise you is that the primary outreach is via (drumroll, please) radio.

While the internet is an incredible tool for reaching and mobilizing people, savvy campaigners are well aware that radio is one of their best options for reaching both sides of the digital divide. The broadcast campaign will cross socioeconomic and literacy barriers impossible for YouTube. Using the two in tandem to create a synergistic effect is a glimpse of the future.

Just as the wise radio stations out there have been embracing streaming and other web-based evolutionary advancements, those who wish to really get their message out have not forgotten radio. Far from it. The range of ads on the airwaves (in both English and Spanish) from both parties in phenomenal.

Keep your ears open during the coming election season, you will hear what I mean…

Photo Courtesy of AFLCIO2008, used under its Creative Commons license

Here we go again. The “push me pull you” in Congress about radio royalties continues, although Jeffrey York over at Yahoo! News is less than sanguine about any resolution during the current year.

Via Yahoo!:

A resounding voice vote June 27 by the House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property in favor of the legislation sent the Performance Rights Act to the full House Judiciary Committee. A vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a similar bill is also possible. But the legislation doesn’t seem poised to get much further in this election year, as Congress is scheduled to adjourn for a summer recess after the first week of August and faces a full agenda after it reconvenes following the Labor Day weekend.

For more commentary lets take a look at a recent piece on Reno, Nevada’s RGJ.com by Adam Sandler (not that Adam Sandler!), VP of the Nevada Broadcasters Association and member of the Free Radio Alliance, as he puts some of the fundamental issues of this conflict into perspective.

One of the huge arguments on the recording industry side has been that the current, long standing system is unfair to their artists. :

The labels claim “it is for the artists,” yet under this proposal, the primary performing artists receive less than the labels’ cut.

Then there is the local angle. Local content and community involvement are extraordinarily important aspects of broadcast radio in American culture. If these new royalties are passed what will the impact be on radio stations and their ability to maintain involvement on that level?

If a performance tax were imposed, local radio stations would need to find millions of dollars in an already strapped economy to try to cover the cost. Stations would be forced to take on more advertisers and devote less time to promoting community events, giving traffic, news and weather reports and playing the songs you love. Smaller stations could be forced to shut their doors, putting people in your community out of work. Larger stations would have to cut back on the local content they proudly provide. Local nonprofit groups would lose millions of dollars in free promotions, making it harder for them to raise money and help the underserved in our communities.

And this does not even touch upon the incredible amount of free advertising and exposure provided to artists through the radio. ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC dues are already paid out by stations in order to compensate songwriters and composers, traditionally the record companies have taken care of artist compensation.

I would be the last person to suggest that just because something has always been done a certain way means it has to continue to be done that way. That is just lousy reasoning. I do, however, believe that if radio stations need to start paying these royalties then we should keep things fair and ensure that the recording industry gets a bill for all of the promotion supplied by broadcast. Backdate that for the past 70 years and total it up. This is, of course, purely my own opinion. I am a sucker for trying to keep things fair.

Regular readers know that I am a huge supporter of radio involvement in the community. Mr. Sandler is obviously cut from similar cloth as he shows with this pithy but accurate query:

Ask yourself: When was the last time a record label did something to help our community? My guess is you drew a blank. Yet, I bet you can think of many times when your local radio station supported local charities or raised awareness of a local issue by discussing it on-air. Indeed, radio has a direct impact in every American community from providing critical emergency and disaster information to helping you decide whether to take U.S. 395 or Interstate 80.

You know, he was right. I drew a complete blank.

Photo courtesy of SuperFantastic, used under its Creative Commons license

HD Radio. Opinions on it are wildly varied and strongly held. Either way you look at it the format is expanding its reach extensively. Mike Snider and Chris Woodward over at USA Today share some news about the state of the new medium as it continues to evolve seeking its place in the media ecosystem.

Mr. Snider takes a look at the incredible diversity of offerings that have resulted from over 1,700 broadcasters nationwide adding HD to their traditional on air offerings. One interesting example presented is this one:

Rock music is just a portion of the playlist on Clear Channel’s experimental station eRockster, which began broadcasting online (at erockster.com) in April and as an HD channel in three cities (L.A., Philadelphia and Washington). “You’ll hear a song from the Beatles, followed by Hot Chip, and that’s followed by Charles Mingus,” says Eric Szmanda, producer and one of the station’s hosts. “All the songs from the soundtrack of our lives.”

Szmanda, who plays Greg Sanders on CBS’ CSI, came up with the online station’s concept along with Evan Harrison, head of Clear Channel’s online music and radio unit. They met more than a decade ago at record label BMG.

“Eric had a really fresh idea about how (to) approach a radio station that really doesn’t stick to a format but is rather focused on good music,” Harrison says. Szmanda says eRockster is basically “the first nationally branded HD station, as far as I know. … I find it exciting to be part of this new technology.”

Seems like a fresh approach, something we can always use more of. As stations add HD offerings to their broadcast menus we can already see and explosion of niche market sounds finding a home. From the bluegrass served up by WAMU 88.5 in Washington, D.C., to the classical music heard in Boston (89.7), Indianapolis (88.7), Grand Rapids, Michigan (105.7), and Las Vegas (88.9), an increase in variety is starting to sweep the nation.

Mr. Woodward’s piece shows us the complementary trend of HD radios in your auto dashboard as a way to access these new options:

The latest is Hyundai, which this month will offer digital radio — known as HD Radio — in a package on its new Genesis sedan. Among others, BMW already offers an HD tuner as a stand-alone option, and Volvo is going to offer HD Radio standard on most models early next year.

“Some of the automakers known for innovation are picking up on this,” says Diane Warren, executive vice president of the radio industry’s HD Radio Alliance. “The rest of the industry will follow.”

Not only that, but Mercedes-Benz will have three models out in the fall which offer HD as an option. The evolution of this aspect of radio is sure to be an interesting one both because of the sharp eyes of the media watching it, but also because it is an example of the niche market mindset of the Internet infecting its growth.

Personally, I am always thrilled by more options.

Photo courtesy of RossinaBossioB, used under its Creative Commons license