Unions Down on Clear Channel

Coinciding with the FCC’s second field hearing on localism and media ownership, the AFL-CIO released a Cornell University study focusing on Clear Channel Communications. The report – “The Clear Picture on Clear
Channel” – was commissioned on behalf of a coalition of several AFL-CIO
media and entertainment unions.
“Clear Channel is the ‘poster child’ for what’s wrong with media consolidation and the FCC’s continued deregulation of this industry,” said Paul Almeida, president of the AFL-CIO Department for Professional Employees.
He pointed to the company’s size and various ownership stakes across media platforms.
Linda Foley, president of The Newspaper Guild-CWA said, “Clear Channel’s relentless obsession with the bottom line has meant cutting jobs to cut costs and if localism, community interests or quality have been sacrificed
in the process, so be it.”
The report criticizes voice tracking, although to be fair, other radio groups engage in the practice as well.