Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media

A groundbreaking investigative work by a critically acclaimed sociologist on the corporate takeover of local news and what it means for all Americans.

For the residents of Minot, North Dakota, Clear Channel Communications is synonymous with disaster. Early in the morning of January 18, 2002, a train derailment sent a cloud of poisonous gas drifting toward the small town. Minot's fire and rescue departments attempted to reach Clear Channel, which owned and operated all six local commercial radio stations, to warn residents of the approaching threat. But in the age of canned programming and virtual DJs, there was no one in the conglomerate's studio to take the call. The people of Minot were taken unawares. The result: one death and more than a thousand injuries.

Opening with the story of the Minot tragedy, Eric Klinenberg's Fighting for Air takes us into the world of preprogrammed radio shows, empty television news stations, and copycat newspapers to show how corporate ownership and control of local media has remade American political and cultural life. Klinenberg argues that the demise of truly local media stems from the federal government's malign neglect, as the agencies charged with ensuring diversity and open competition have ceded control to the very conglomerates that consistently undermine these values and goals.

Such "big media" may not be here to stay, however. Fighting for Air delivers a call to action, revealing a rising generation of new media activists and citizen journalists — a coalition of liberals and conservatives — who are demanding and even creating the local coverage they need and deserve.

"Klinenberg is clearly aiming to deliver the Fast Food Nation of corporate media, and his disdain for conglomerates blares from every page, constantly reminding readers that a handful of companies have a stranglehold on media outlets, subverting the public interest for the sake of profit. It's a grim world where radio stations can't inform their listeners about local disasters because all the programming is recorded at a studio in some other state, where TV newscasters don't bother covering state elections, and even the alternative press has given its pages over to advertisers. The author's coverage appears scattershot, because it tries to take in as much of the media landscape as possible, but each section is extensively reported, and the pieces do finally fit together in the final chapters. As Klinenberg details former FCC chairman Michael Powell's efforts to loosen restrictions on how many American television stations one corporation can own, the story becomes a perfect convergence of his issues with large corporate entities and the Bush administration, as well as his enthusiasm for grassroots civic activism. His impassioned call to restore local journalism and its role in creating informed, engaged communities is sure to strike a chord with readers." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"It's probably safe to say that few books on media consolidation start with someone dying. Klinenberg spins a tale of a 2002 chemical train derailment in a tiny North Dakota town that was kept in the dark because the local radio stations were controlled by a distant conglomerate. When authorities called the stations and asked them to execute their public interest obligation to warn listeners of the... Washington Post Book Review (read the entire Washington Post review) dangerous spill, no one picked up the phone.

The North Dakota tragedy — one death, hundreds sickened — is the book's sensational scare story of media consolidation. Klinenberg focuses on Big Media's usual suspects — Clear Channel, Fox, Viacom, Disney, Sinclair — and accurately details their attempts to Own It All in the 1990s and early 2000s, when the Federal Communications Commission relaxed media ownership rules. The consolidation galvanized a handful of activist groups that warned of an Orwellian future.

But the media landscape has changed radically in just the past year, and Klinenberg bears little blame for having written an incomplete account.

Here's a partial list of recent upheavals since he wrote his book: Viacom split in two. Clear Channel is selling its TV stations and one-third of its radio stations. The New York Times sold its TV stations. The Knight Ridder newspaper chain dissolved. Tribune sold TV stations and may yet be broken up. Walt Disney sold its radio stations. Emmis Communications sold its TV stations. Wave after wave of deconsolidation.

Klinenberg describes how activists successfully petitioned a federal court to block the FCC's attempt to further relax ownership rules in 2003, but the petition didn't cause the corporate breakups. Citizens exercise their greatest power when they act as a market, which they did by choosing new media over old. Old-style media empires — radio, TV, newspapers — no longer have the eyeballs to support the kind of audience scale that justified '90s consolidation and so alarmed media activists. Why? Because of MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, satellite radio, XBox, iPods, et al.

Klinenberg earnestly cautions that the FCC is again examining media ownership rules, which is true, and that citizens 'will have to be more active and better organized than ever to influence the debate.' But others have argued that the FCC rules increasingly are irrelevant in the digital age, when fewer and fewer people get their news and information from the outlets that the government actually has the power to regulate — TV, radio and, to a lesser extent, newspapers.

Or think about it this way: Imagine it's 1875 and a virtually unregulated railroad industry is crisscrossing the country. At the same time, Washington is busily crafting close and careful rules governing the canal business.

Frank Ahrens covers the media and entertainment industry for The Washington Post.

" Reviewed by Theola LabbiColbert KingRon CharlesRuth PadelChristine RosenFrank Ahrens, Washington Post Book World (Copyright 2006 Washington Post Book World Service/Washington Post Writers Group)
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"Using straightforward reporting, a clear writing style and a healthy dose of facts-on-the-ground, Klinenberg...assembles a telling portrait of the sorry state of this nation's newspapers, TV channels and radio stations." Rocky Mountain News

"Drawing on interviews, independent observations, and Federal Communications Commission proceedings, Klinenberg convincingly argues that media consolidation is limiting choices and opinions in America." Library Journal

"EBrilliantly written and tightly argued, Fighting for Air is the perfect book for anyone wanting to understand what is going on in this country, and why it is so important to our future." Robert W. McChesney, author of The Problem of the Media

"Eric Klinenberg has given us a chilling report....Fighting for Air should serve as a wake-up call on the deafness of radio and television to communal needs." Daniel Schorr, Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio

"Eric Klinenberg has done a masterful job of researching what has happened to America's local news media. Fighting for Air is a must-read for anyone who cares about the role of the media in a democracy." George Lakoff, author of Don't Think of an Elephant!

"Fighting for Air is a richly detailed, compelling, and timely investigation into the problem of the U.S. media and what people are doing to take it back....This book is a call to action to fight for a strong, vigorous, independent media." Amy Goodman, host and executive producer of Democracy Now!

A groundbreaking investigative work by a critically acclaimed sociologist on the corporate takeover of local news and what it means for all Americans

For the residents of Minot, North Dakota, Clear Channel Communications is synonymous with disaster. Early in the morning of January 18, 2002, a train derailment sent a cloud of poisonous gas drifting toward the small town. Minot's fire and rescue departments attempted to reach Clear Channel, which owned and operated all six local commercial radio stations, to warn residents of the approaching threat. But in the age of canned programming and virtual DJs, there was no one in the conglomerate's studio to take the call. The people of Minot were taken unawares. The result: one death and more than a thousand injuries.

Opening with the story of the Minot tragedy, Eric Klinenberg's Fighting for Air takes us into the world of preprogrammed radio shows, empty television news stations, and copycat newspapers to show how corporate ownership and control of local media has remade American political and cultural life. Klinenberg argues that the demise of truly local media stems from the federal government's malign neglect, as the agencies charged with ensuring diversity and open competition have ceded control to the very conglomerates that consistently undermine these values and goals.

Such big media may not be here to stay, however. Fighting for Air delivers a call to action, revealing a rising generation of new media activists and citizen journalists--a coalition of liberals and conservatives--who are demanding and even creating the local coverage they need and deserve. Eric Klinenberg, associate professor of sociology at New York University, is the author of the highly acclaimed Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. The recipient of numerous academic awards and fellowships, Klinenberg has also written for Rolling Stone, The Nation, and Slate. For the residents of Minot, North Dakota, Clear Channel Communications is synonymous with disaster. Early in the morning of January 18, 2002, a train derailment sent a cloud of poisonous gas drifting toward the small town. Minot's fire and rescue departments attempted to reach Clear Channel, which owned and operated all six local commercial radio stations, to warn residents of the approaching threat. But in the age of canned programming and virtual DJs, there was no one in the conglomerate's studio to take the call. The people of Minot were taken unawares. The result: one death and more than a thousand injuries.

Opening with the story of the Minot tragedy, Eric Klinenberg's Fighting for Air takes us into the world of preprogrammed radio shows, empty television news stations, and copycat newspapers to show how corporate ownership and control of local media has remade American political and cultural life. Klinenberg argues that the demise of truly local media stems from the federal government's malign neglect, as the agencies charged with ensuring diversity and open competition have ceded control to the very conglomerates that consistently undermine these values and goals.

Such big media may not be here to stay, however. Fighting for Air delivers a call to action, revealing a rising generation of new media activists and citizen journalists--a coalition of liberals and conservatives--who are demanding and even creating the local coverage they need and deserve. American democracy is lost unless citizen Davids do battle against the corporate media Goliaths. We have heard this rallying cry before . . . But Klinenberg has humanized and dramatized the argument by writing a book based on extensive original reporting. It is an investigative work, not a rant; it is both intellectually serious and politically passionate.--Michael Schudson, Columbia Journalism Review Liz Trotta was one of the early success stories of women in broadcast news . . . It is revelatory, in the post-feminist era, to get the inside poop from a gritty woman of ambition who had her triumphant innings in a high-powered game that (was it only a matter of time?) she eventually lost.--Susan Brownmiller, The New York Times A riveting look into every part of what is called the 'media ecosystem, ' which includes the Internet as well as newspapers, radio and television. Klinenberg grounds all of his reporting in human terms and gives concrete examples of what happens when too few own too much and, worse, control what information will be disseminated to the people. He also wisely includes news of the victories being achieved by media activists.--Joanne Collings, The Examiner American democracy is lost unless citizen Davids do battle against the corporate media Goliaths. We have heard this rallying cry before . . . But Klinenberg has humanized and dramatized the argument by writing a book based on extensive original reporting. It is an investigative work, not a rant; it is both intellectually serious and politically passionate.--Michael Schudson, Columbia Journalism Review Eric Klinenberg has written an extraordinary and powerful account of the devastating elimination of localism in U.S. media and journalism, and how Americans from all walks of life are rising up to challenge the great media crisis that grips our nation today. Brilliantly written and tightly argued, Fighting for Air is the perfect book for anyone wanting to understand what is going on in this country, and why it is so important to our future.--Robert W. McChesney, author of The Problem of the Media Eric Klinenberg has given us a chilling report on how the American news media, increasingly concentrated, have made a mockery of the commitment to operate 'in the public interest, convenience, and necessity.' Admirably researched and lucidly written, Fighting for Air should serve as a wake-up call on the deafness of radio and television to communal needs.--Daniel Schorr, Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio Big m

Eric Klinenberg, associate professor of sociology at New York University, is the author of the highly acclaimed Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. The recipient of numerous academic awards and fellowships, Klinenberg has also written for Rolling Stone, The Nation, and Slate.