A Clear and Present Signal: To Infinity & Beyond

Infinity Broadcasting and Clear Channel are huge media entities. Between them, they own hundreds of radio stations across the US, including more than a dozen in the Bay area. From the “Smooth Jazz” sounds of WSJT to the “Cracker Jack” antics of Jack Harris at 970, WFLA, chances are you are an Infinity/Clear listener at some point during the week. But should that much power be vested in the hands of just two companies? Or are they doing such a great job it doesn’t matter? Or maybe, in a land of pod-casts, in-dash CD’s, and satellite radio, people feel too empowered to care ... Still, to have the influence and control of a powerful mass communication device like radio held hostage by a handful of corporate centers of gravity (however benign) cannot help but ultimately make subservient the wishes of the many to the whims of the few.