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Nicolas Mason

Professor Hugetz

ENGL 1301.14

2 October 2018

How Media Ownership Deregulation Has Affected Radio

In 1996, Congress passed the Telecommunications Deregulation Act that lifted many

federal regulations on the ownership of radio stations. Prior to 1996, the largest number of radio

stations owned by a single corporation was 38; since the passing of the act, several corporations

have acquired hundreds of radio stations nationwide. The act had changed the face of radio for

the time it’s active, but it’s also raised some controversy. Some people argue it helps radio

stations expand commerce and benefit the public while others argue it degrades diversity in radio

when one corporation controls stations that reach millions of people.

Lowry Mays, who wrote “Media Ownership Deregulation Has Helped Radio”, argues

that the Telecommunications Deregulation Act is very beneficial for radio. Mays states that

before deregulation, competition from cable and broadcast television dropped the profits of radio

stations (Mays 2). After the act was passed, Mays, who is a chairman and CEo of Clear Channel

Communications, a media based company in Texas, states that with larger businesses owning

more stations, it’s easier and less expensive to operate multiple stations together because they are

all under one conglomerate (Mays 2).

Bill Park, who wrote “Media Ownership Deregulation Has Harmed Radio”, argues that

the Telecommunications Deregulation Act is very harmful for radio. Park states that after

regulation, large corporations seek to control just revenue from radio, and prevent independent

station owners from making any money (Park 5). In the article, Park says that large media
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corporations are only trying to “impress” the stock market and Wall Street. This requires them to

make more money and hire or intern workers at these stations, degrading the benefits of working

at a radio station (Park 3-4).

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Works Cited

Mays, Lowry. “Media Ownership Deregulation Has Help Radio.” Mass Media, Greenhaven

Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing View Points in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/d oc/EJ3010152254. Accessed 2 Oct. 2018.

Park, Bill. “Media Ownership Deregulation Has Harmed Radio.” Mass Media, Greenhaven

Press. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/ doc/EJ2010152253. Accessed 2 Oct. 2018.