Dunifer described the GNN as just one part of a larger struggle against international corporate power and capitalism. On a regional or local basis, it is being facilitated by alternative media and their networks. Bob Jensen, UT journalism assistant professor, said there has been an unprecedented international centralization of media conglomerates during the last decade. Tom Mahnke, a volunteer DJ at KO.OP, plays cajun and zydeco music during his show at the radio station. KO.OP was one of the co-sponsors of last week's Grassroots News Network Media Conference.
Commercial broadcast is a wasteland.
Bridgette Ittrup is a sales assistant for Clear Channel Communications Inc., a company that owns about 200 radio stations in the United States, Europe and Australia, including Oldies 103, Z.102, KHFI, and KFON-AM in Austin. Ittrup said most licensed holders are against the low-power radio stations because they make obtaining a frequency more difficult for companies. They cut in line. They don't follow the procedures. It takes many years, a lot of fees, a lot of rules to follow.