Anything goes no longer true of politics on Miami radio

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sat, Aug. 07, 2004

Anything goes no longer true of politics on Miami radio

Spanish language radio, often a lively part of Miami-Dade political campaigns, seems less partisan this year now that two stations are owned by a major corporation.

BY OSCAR CORRAL

[e-mail]


Spanish-language radio has long been used as a weapon by politicians in Miami-Dade County, as candidates allied themselves with radio commentators who gave them disproportionately large amounts of airtime, endorsements and the platform to criticize opponents.

Over the years, some commentators have been accused of securing alliances through cash payments, by selling airtime on their stations through advertising companies they own. But now, many observers agree that campaigning on Spanish radio is not what it used to be, because the industry itself has changed.

In September 2003, the Federal Communications Commission approved Univisión Communications' controversial $3.4 billion buyout of the Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. radio chain, which owned Radio Mambí -- WAQI-AM (710) -- and WQBA-AM (1140), among others. La Poderosa, WWFE-AM (670), remains independent.
(snip)

Spanish radio broadcasts during previous campaigns triggered everything from protests to fistfights between candidates.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/9341694.htm
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[loudsue]

1. Yep...now it can be all right wing, all the time. Fine.

We seriously need to do something about freedom of the press in this country.

:kick: