Liberal(er) Media Comes to Memphis

Radio broadcaster Entercom Communications Corp. has been given approval to purchase CBS radio stations in four markets Austin, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio;  Rochester, New York; and Memphis, Tennessee. To avoid an antitrust investigation, Entercom will sell off three stations in Rochester.

Entercom was under indictment by the NY Attorney General for a "payola" scheme:

The AG's office filed the suit in March charging Entercom with repeatedly engaging in a scheme of playing songs on its stations in return for payments or non-cash consideration from record labels or independent promoters.

Although four radio corporations were under investigation, only Entercom had charges filed against it. To make the charges go away, they recently agreed to pay up to a $2 million to New York non-profits for the purpose of music education and appreciation programs.

Entercom's CEO is David Field, son of company founder Joseph M. Field.

According to OpenSecrets.org, David Field has given $145,635 in political contributions during the last three cycles. And the recipient list reads like a Who's Who in Democrat politics: Tom Daschle, Joe Lieberman, Arlen Specter, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama. Not to mention the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, DNC Services Corp. and various state Democrat parties.

Of course, David is just a chip of the ol' block. Daddy Joseph gave $160,900 in the same 3 cycles to many of the same names. Only Joseph was a Wesley Clark man and also seems rather fond of Robert Byrd.

Somehow, I just don't think Entercom will bring a fair and balanced approach to the airwaves in Memphis.

Posted on Tuesday at 9:01 PM in category Memphis
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