The Corporate Takeover of Broadcasting
Radio broadcasting emerged dramatically in the early 1920s. By the end of the decade the modern network-dominated, advertising-supported system had become established. By 1935 radio was entrenched economically, politically and ideologically, and it would provide the basis for the eventual development of television in the 1940s and 1950s. What is generally not known is that a broad coalition representing popular groups mounted a spirited campaign to resist the corporate takeover of the airwaves. The opposition generated a sharp critique of commercial broadcasting as being inimical to the communication needs of a democratic society. They argued for a significant role for non-profit and non-commercial broadcasting. That struggle—for control of radio—was determined by powerful commercial interests. The battles of earlier decades have lessons for today, as public radio and TV are in acute peril.
Recorded at the University of Iowa.
Speaker
Robert McChesney
Robert McChesney was a leading media historian and public intellectual. He was a professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later was the Gutgsell Endowed Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He was co-founder of Free Press, a non-profit organization working to increase public participation in media policy debates. His work focused on the role of journalism and democracy in a capitalist system. An activist scholar, he was a champion of independent progressive media. Noam Chomsky said, “Robert McChesney’s work has been of extraordinary importance. It should be read with care and concern by people who care about freedom and basic rights.” A prolific author, among his many books are Rich Media, Poor Democracy, Blowing the Roof off the Twenty-First Century, and Digital Disconnect. He is co-author with John Nichols of Dollarocracy and People Get Ready. Robert McChesney passed away in late March 2025.
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