This story underscores the dangers of having a mass media that is controlled by an increasingly small group of owners who can easily manipulate the flow of news and information, and whose commercial interests may be aligned with corporations doing business overseas. It also underscores the need for people of African descent to be able to exercise control over the editorial content of news and information coming into their community. The timing and interpretation of information influences the outcome of political elections and the mandates given to people in elected office. Editorial comments in the news influence the credibility of those seeking to speak on behalf of the community.
News programming affects educational values inside and outside of the formal school setting.
Radio represents the most significant inroad achieved by Blacks in the electronic media. In 1995, Blacks owned 203 radio stations. This number is small relative to size of the total Black population. Nonetheless, it accounts for a very sizable mass audience - more than 4.5 million listeners. This report addresses the current crisis that threatens the survival of Black radio and small entrepreneurship in general.