Alan G. Stavitsky

The changing conception of localism in U.S. public radio

The ambiguity of localism, which provides the rationale for much of U.S. communication policymaking, is highlighted by the increasing centralization of U.S. public radio. This article describes the changing conception of localism in U.S. public radio, from a spatial emphasis — based on traditional geographic notions of community — to a social conception in which community is defined in terms of shared interests, tastes, and values.

The New “Podagogy”: Incorporating Podcasting into Journalism Education

This report documents the results of a pilot study of the use of podcasting technology in a lower division course at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Based on a survey of 209 undergraduate students, the study reports high levels of usage and satisfaction with content and delivery, and suggests the technology added value to class content for students.

“Guys in suits with charts”: Audience research in U.S. public radio

During the 1980s audience research became accepted as an essential management (unction in U.S. public radio. The use and application of audience research had previously been resisted by some public radio managers as representing the ascendance of market considerations over the industrys social and cultural imperatives. This paper describes the evolution of public radios engagement with audience research, and relates it to public radios changing conception of localism.

From Class D to LPFM: The High-Powered Politics of Low-Power Radio.

The most heated broadcasting issue of the year 2000 was the fight over low-power FM radio. The rise and fall of the proposed service reflected the state of the art in telecommunication policymaking, and provided a snapshot of power relations among broadcasters, the FCC, Congress, and citizen activists. For public radio managers with long institutional memories, however, the low-power FM debate seems a bit ironic. Thats because a similar low-power service did exist, but was permitted to languish by broadcasters and regulators. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the former Class D FM and the contemporary debate.

Alternative Things Considered: A Comparison of National Public Radio and Pacifica Radio News Coverage

This study indicates that National Public Radio and Pacifica, despite their “alternative” origins, produce news programming that is largely grounded in the same journalistic values and routines as “mainstream” commercial broadcast journalism. A content analysis of NPRs All Things Considered and Pacifica Radio News, however, found several significant differences between these two producers of public radio news in the United States. Pacifica broadcast a higher percentage of stories dealing with governance and stories with an international focus, and presented a higher percentage of officials and activists as sources than did NPR.

Counting the house in public television: A history of ratings use, 1953–1980

This study explores the evolution, diffusion and application of audience research in public television from its origins through the 1970s, the formative period for the system. Shifts in funding structures for public TV and the rise of cable and satellite competition are reflected in the changing practice of such research.

The rise and fall of the distress sale

This paper describes the rise and fall of the Federal Communications Commissions seldom‐used “distress sale” policy, posits reasons for its lack of impact in raising the level of minority ownership in broadcasting, and reassesses the “program diversity” rationale that undergirds the policy. The author argues that proponents of the distress sale and other minority preference policies need to adopt a new approach for increasing minority involvement in telecommunication.