I’ve been advocating localism in talk radio programming for over a year, but I have very good news to report.

Clear Channel, the largest owner of radio stations, gave the green light to create local advisory boards, a panel of community activists-that’s you and I-to review, recommend, and evaluate the stations’ programming and its content. The creation of the panel is set in June.

It gets better.

The advisory board has the power to challenge the radio station’s licenses renewals to the Federal Communications Commission. This is the public’s airwaves and we do have the right to demand responsible content.

Under an amendment to the D.C. Voting Bill, the FCC would be required to mandate stations to present opposing points of view and promote diversity and media ownership.

Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., submitted the amendment to the Bill.

Of course, the rightwing talk hosts weren’t happy about this proposed plan. Last weekend, the nation’s top rightwing talkers held a secret, private meeting to discuss plans to defeat the government from “squelching” their political free speech. Last time I checked, they were still on the air.

This secret meeting was organized by right winger Brad O'Leary, author of the book “Shut Up, America! The End of Free Speech” and Joseph Farah, editor and CEO of World Net Daily-no surprises here.

These paranoid talkers think President Obama is behind this latest “Fairness Doctrine” plan. But the people behind this plan is us-the American people who are sick and tired of hearing their hateful and dangerous rhetoric on the public airwaves. Their lies most be challenged and exposed by us.

Keep the pressure on Clear Channel and demand that they keep local programming. And join the advisory board! No excuses!

Clear Channel
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone 1-210-822-2828

Sanda Coyle
Phone: 1-210-822-2828