commercial radio is neglecting black communities by not catering to their needs in music, news and events.?

Question

Hi, my name is makeda and im am a A-level media student researching community radio and its audiences.I would like to know your view on whether you think this is true

sorry i forget 2 put that this question is regarding the UK and London only

Answer 1

What's all this business about "NEEDS" - who said their needs are any different to the rest of us. YOU'RE the one complaining. I haven't heard any of THEM complaining.

Answer 2

If I were you I would contact Ofcom (the communications industry regulatory people) and ask them the question.

Commercial radio licences are granted to local regions after a bidding process where anyone is invited to submit an application for a radio broadcasting licence. Ofcom then make a decision based on which radio station best reflects the region or locality. For example, in the north east of england, the latest licence was granted to Saga Radio - who target the over 50's, as they felt the North East people would benefit from a station like this.

Ofcom may argue that there simply aren't large enough black communities to warrant a commercial radio market - it is a very niche market that commercially would be hard to grow - bare in mind that the purpose of commercial radio is not just to entertain, it's a business that needs to make money.

Choice FM is certainly one radio brand that focuses on black music, news and events - they broadcast on FM to London and on Digital radio UK wide - however I don't think they could be classed as community radio.

Answer 3

Well Makeda I believe you may have a point in some areas not all some are well catered for but then the question would probally arise about other nationalities so a happy medium could be difficult,I hope although I never seem to have enough time to check that my home town does cater for the Black community in music but lacks in other important areas.I am thinking of starting up a place for them but getting people to join in or getting funding is a big issue we will see,is anyone listening in B`MTH?

Answer 4

Why should Commercial radio cater to the needs of "black" communities when 1.4AAA has that section of the media so well covered
2.There is a Television Network for the same purpose.
The idea of Community Licences are to allow broadcast of music,news,community involvement issues[localised] and probably MORE important is to allow members of whatever community being serviced by that station the training to present programs based on the aforementioned outlines.All these stations are NOT colour prejudiced and if you should approach one then you would be made most welcome..I assure you.
With Community stations beginning to dominate the market,more and more listeners are turning to them as a source of localisation.

Answer 5

true, but, a lot of that stuff is a little too controversial to be put on public radio. think about it though. in the essence of black communities and all teenagers and young adults, how many people listen to the radio and how many listen to cds. the genre that you are talking about is directed to a demographic group that generally do not listen to the radio. there is obviously not enough of the population and demand out there to concern commercial radio with catering to the black communities. its not about racial integrity, its about making money. and if its not a big enough profit, especially if commercial radio has to concern themselves with censorship and other headaches as such, commercial radio will keep the other 185 country stations on the air that still make a profit. its crappy, i know, but its not about black or white, its all about green.

Answer 6

I don't agree with that statement when it comes to music. Every radio station I listen to plays just as much black music, rap and RnB as it does other styles of music. I also think that in countries where the culture is predominantly and historically white, people of other races shouldn't expect to be catered for as equally through the media. As a white woman, I wouldn't go over to a country in Africa, for example, and expect there to be a perfect balance in the media between the mainly black culture that has existed there for centuries and my needs as a white person in a minority.

Answer 7

You have not done enough research girlfriend. Here in Southern California, most of the radio stations are soul based. Research, research, research! Turn on the tv. Most of the tv channels dedicated to bringing music to all of us are dedicated to the African American culture of wonderful music. I wish folks like you would stop painting pictures of how the African American has been screwed out of everything from jobs to music. Believe it or not, I am not going to ever feel sorry for African Americans on the music front because when they got their chance to be heard, they made sure they took it and made sure that all races loved it, like I do. What'choo talkin' 'bout?

Answer 8

What you say is pretty accurate with the acception that I listen to Jazz. That's my dad's job. Lol. I love the oldschool hip hop, not modern rap that's all about sex, drugs, money, cars, etc. Oldschool hip hop was very artistic and peaceful. There are 4 elements of Hip Hop: Graffiti, Emcee, DJ, and the Breaker. Me and my friends BBoy to Funk, Hip Hop, Old school beats, etc. I'm white, they are all Asian/Pacific Islander. So what you say is pretty true, I think it's "cool" but I'm not doing it to get known and look cool to black culture. Just like in America, you will have all mixed races and styles, in Hip Hop, you will have the same. There's gonna be people who BBoy to Techno There's gonna be people who mix funk with rock There's gonna be people dressing differently to the originals Because Hip Hop is not only a style itself, it's YOUR style how you interpret/express it. Good question.

Answer 9

i agree. I think that commercial radio is doing what it has always done.sell out to the major labels.what the black community needs to do is stop waiting on someone to "fix" commercial radio. what we need to do is get off the couch, pool our resources and invest in our music.Cater to our own needs.put a station on that will not only play the "playlist". we have over 50 + yrs of music that all types of people love. R&b,Soul, Funk,Hip-Hop,Blues, Gospell,Rock n roll,Big band ,Jazz,Reggae,Samba and Salsa.

Answer 10

well the problem is not much about neglect, the balck communities are sorrounded by so much negativity... which makes it difficult for commercial radio and outlets to associate them selves with such controversy.There is blatant polarisation, as most people are getting fed up with violence associated with us black pple.That does not mean "white" are not involved in these negative things.

things are changing, albeit slowly,...who knew Rn b and hiphop will be this hot...so we jus need to be patient.

Answer 11

I disagree. The BBC has 1extra, which is specifically from MOBO. They haven't got specific channels for any other minority group, so I would say that means black communities are better catered for than others.