American Apologies

Founded in 1972, Clear Channel is an American media conglomerate that specializes in radio broadcasting, concert promotion and hosting, and fixed advertising in the United States through its subsidiaries. They have been accused of monopolizing the radio industry in America for the sake of pushing their agenda onto listeners, through the use of censorship and disinformation. They have been known to play the “safest” songs over and over again, much to the dismay of listeners who want to hear more than muzak interrupted by commercials. A notable case of censorship was the post-9/11 memorandum which was distributed to over 1,200 radio stations they owned, containing a list of a large number of what the memo termed “lyrically questionable” songs, which for some reason included The Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”. Especially since the infamous wardrobe malfunction of 2004, they have instituted more and more self-policing efforts to censor “offensive” content with a no tolerance policy which led to the company’s dismissal of several of their own employees, including popular and high-profile hosts in a number of cities. Clear Channel are a good example of how a conglomerate’s immoral and biased practices are a detriment to American culture.

Kirby Dick’s amazing 2006 documentary This Film is Not Yet Rated is about how ridiculous and harmful the Motion Picture Association of America’s rating system is, as well as its effect on American culture. Check it out if you haven’t.