Submitted by Robert Norris, Sep 12, 2007 09:59

Former FCC Comissioner Mark Fowler is as much a visionary now as he was in his position as Comissioner. His proactive success in the communications industry during this new age of communications proves that he is quite capable of tempering consumer benefits with profound business sense and a strong vision of where the industry is heading. Radio has never been free. We paid for the privilage of listening by enduring the inanity of thousands of commercial ads that tested our endurability and assaulted our intelligence; all for the privilage of humming along with our favorite song or disagreeing with an opinionated talk show host who was far more demeaning than informative. Neither were the broadcasters free. Commercial radio was highly regulated despise the efforts of communications reformers such as Mark Fowler. I personally find "shock jocks" offensive, but quite obviously not everyone agrees - and that's exactly as it should be. Competition, alternatives, choices; the impetus that moves us forward; and benefits all. The so called "free radio" will not dissapear, though it will be challenged just as cable challenged network TV (also "free"); but there are always those who would rather see strict regulations than make the changes neccessary to compete on a quality basis. I was in radio 50 years ago and very little has changed other than the fact that it was more creative back then than it is now. Satellite radio will offer varitey, creativity and high caliber entertainment. Something free radio seems to have abandoned. Radio today over all sounds like a class in acme management.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.