It was an impressive conference. Too bad not very many people attended. In late June, we attended the California Broadcasters Association’s 54^th Annual Convention, held this year on Coronado Island in San Diego. There were more speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and honorees than actual broadcasters.

The honorees alone should have brought out crowds of broadcasters. An opportunity to dine and socialize with Chick Hearn, the infamous LA Lakers game announcer, actor Karl Malden, broadcaster and country music legend Buck Owens, and actor Danny Glover. I’ll be honest; I was pretty impressed when I could rub shoulders with both Karl Malden, and the Chairman of the FCC’s Mass Media Bureau, Roy Stewart.

I was just extremely disappointed in the outcome. The California Broadcaster’s Association put together a great convention. We were treated to intelligent and often entertaining speakers, small exhibits, and informative sessions on government relations, energy, and FCC Policy. Everyone was aware of the low attendance, and there is only one reason for it. Apathy on the part of today’s broadcasting community.

Lets face it. I’m out there talking to broadcasters all over the country on a daily basis. I often hear broadcasters tell me their individual horror stories about one situation or another in their stations or group of stations. There are a great deal of those who are new to broadcasting, and don’t have a memory of "the good old days of radio". And, there are you old timers who tell it like it is, and express your dissatisfaction for the way the industry has changed.

The truth is, however, we make of our industry what we put in to it. Yes, consolidation definitely changed the broadcasting industry. Huge corporations run our radio and television stations, and some are actually being called "fast food radio" because of the franchise mentality of market-to-market identities. All radio stations sound like all the other radio stations, and there seems to be apathy among broadcasters. A nearly, "who cares anymore" attitude.

We can all be guilty of it. We haven’t trained our younger generations to become part of their community and get involved in groups and organizations that will change policy or make a difference. And, it shows in our products, our programming and our own apathetic attitude toward our own professional organizations.

Recently I had been following an unnamed website dedicated to hearing complaints about a certain corporation that owns several hundred radio stations (among other subsidiaries and companies) across the nation. I began to wonder, is this all they are going to do about it? Readers could voice their unhappiness, but that is all they could do. They weren’t coming up with a plan to change the way radio is being operated, or how people were being treated, or if stations were going to meet their financial, regulatory, and community obligations.

Then, I attended the California Broadcaster’s Association’s convention, and realized that this is where their voice could be heard. There are state broadcasting associations in nearly every state. If you want to learn, to network with other fellow broadcasters, even just to talk about the "old days", and learn what is going on in the industry today, you need to participate.

When I was a station owner in a small market, I encouraged my staff to get involved in the community. Join the chamber of commerce; serve on board of directors for charitable organizations, be part of the community. It didn’t always feel that it directly influenced our business, but I realized that in the long term, our participation was very helpful. It also allowed my staff to be more aware of the needs of our community, so we were able to meet our community service obligations in good faith.

Rather than sitting behind your desk and complaining about how different radio is today, its time to step up and share your knowledge, your vision, and radio’s past. You can have a voice.

I was pleased to have an informal conversation with many broadcasters, FCC Washington Attorneys, and Roy Stewart the FCC’s Chief of Mass Media. Roy Stewart has been with the FCC since 1965. He’s had experience with broadcasters from every department of regulation and ownership. He asked us many questions about how we feel about the industry. It was informative and refreshing to actually sit down and have a conversation with one of the head people with the FCC. I’m not anybody special, I just happened to attend my state association convention. This is where it starts.

Roy Stewart is just as concerned about the future of radio and television as you are. He wanted to hear our comments, concerns and suggestions. He is touring the country, attending state association conferences to hear suggestions on how the FCC can better serve not only the broadcasters, but the public as well.

"In a world of convergence, broadcasters have one thing going for them, which gives them the competitive advantage… content". Mr. Stewart said at the beginning of the session he participated in. "Localism is the bread and butter for broadcasters."

You can fret and worry and express negative attitudes about the constantly changing world of broadcasting. Or, you can find ways to step up and continue to deliver a quality radio station for your individual community. One way to do that is to join your state association, participate and let your voice be heard.

No, you may not be able to stop consolidation and return radio to the way it was twenty years ago. You won’t be able to change the way these larger corporations franchise their "product" and take the individuality of radio away from its local markets. You may not even be able to change FCC policy.

But, you will have the opportunity to learn, listen and network with fellow broadcasters just like you.

There are constant changes in the broadcasting industry. It’s amazing. Dealing with FCC Compliance Issues, Public Files and training staff, I have learned a great deal from my fellow broadcasters over the years. I always appreciate someone else who is eager to learn something new, and become a better broadcaster.

This is my call to you. I can write about my experiences, and I always appreciate the comments I receive emailed from my readers. I want to encourage more of it. I can answer questions on compliance issues, and would be happy to help you get in touch with the FCC itself.

From Roy Stewart, I learned that there are five major trends that affect mass media policy in the future. They are:

The FCC has already taken steps to make it a little easier from broadcasters by: