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From Talkers: By Bill McMahon The Authentic Personality CEO EAGLE, Idaho —*The practice of journalism and the output of most major news organizations have become commoditized. Media economist Robert Picard describes the current state of journalism this way: “Most journalists share the same skill sets and the same approaches to stories, seek out the same sources, ask similar questions, and produce relatively similar stories. Across the news industry, processes and procedures for news gathering are guided by standardized news values, producing standardized stories in standardized formats that are presented in standardized styles. The result is extraordinary sameness and minimal differentiation.” Case Study: Events versus Stories, the Execution of Cal Brown Radio and television news organizations in Seattle devoted significant amounts of time and resources to covering the execution of Cal Brown, a convicted murderer and rapist. Crews were sent to the site of the execution in Walla Walla, a 4½ hour drive from Seattle, to report live from the scene. The stories produced by the various news organizations and their reporters had an extraordinary sameness. Each focused primarily on the execution itself. Radio listeners and television viewers learned that this was the first execution in Washington since 2001. They were told that Cal Brown’s final pleas for clemency were denied. They learned about a small demonstration and protest outside the site of the execution. They were told what Cal Brown ate for his last meal, how he spent his final day, what time he died, and what drugs were used to kill him. They also heard a description of the final moments of Cal Brown’s life including where he died and how he died. It was as if each of the news organizations had gotten together and agreed to standardize their coverage. What Seattle area radio listeners and television viewers didn’t hear much about was the story of Holly Washa, the story of the Washa family, the story of Cal Brown, and the story of Dan Satterberg. Insight Today’s “standardized news” organizations and people are event oriented, not story oriented, because events are easy to see and comparatively easy to cover. The result is a presentation of the news that focuses on events and the facts about events — what happened, where it happened, when it happened, and sometimes, why it happened. This concentration on events results in a stunning sameness in newscasts across the dial. More importantly, it often obscures interesting and meaningful stories of which the events are only a part. Stories that place these events in a larger more important context. The Cal Brown Execution Event The Cal Brown execution was but one event in the story of Holly Washa. Holly was 18 when she left her hometown of Ogallala, Nebraska to move to Seattle to pursue her dream of becoming a flight attendant. Three years later she was carjacked at knife point near Seattle Tacoma International Airport and forced to drive her car to her bank to withdraw her life savings. She was then held for 34 hours at a motel where she was repeatedly raped, robbed, tortured, and then slashed to death. Her dream ended in the trunk of her Oldsmobile in the parking lot of a SeaTac car rental agency. The Cal Brown execution was but one event in the life of the Washa family from the tiny town of Ogallala, Nebraska. Their daughter dreamed of being a flight attendant. When she graduated from high school, she moved halfway across the country to pursue her dream in Seattle. Three years later, she was dead, killed by a man who had been released two months earlier from an Oregon prison where he served time for assaulting a woman. The family waited 16 1/2 years from the time their daughter’s killer was convicted and sentenced to death before he was executed. During that time, a court reversed the killer’s conviction and death sentence. The family had to wait nearly two years for the Supreme Court to reinstate the conviction and death sentence. Then, after they had driven from Nebraska to Walla Walla to witness the execution of their daughter’s killer, the Supreme Court issued a stay just eight hours before the scheduled execution. They drove back to Nebraska. A year and a half later, they returned to Walla Walla where their daughter’s murderer was finally executed. The Cal Brown execution was but one event in the story of Cal Brown. Cal Brown was a cold-blooded killer. He was convicted of assaulting a woman in 1984. He served seven years in an Oregon State penitentiary and was released on parole. Two months later, he carjacked, robbed, and held Holly Washa captive for 34 hours while he repeatedly raped, tortured, and slashed her to death. He flew immediately to Palm Springs where he attempted to rape and kill another woman before he was captured. The Cal Brown execution was but one event in the story of Dan Satterberg. He is the King County prosecutor who came to know the family of Holly Washa. He was so moved by their story and the emotional bond he established with them that he traveled to Walla Walla to witness the execution of their daughter’s killer with them. Hearing radio and watching television news coverage of the Cal Brown execution, it became apparent the myopic focus on the event obscured or diminished the presentation of these amazing stories. The commitment to send reporters and resources to Walla Walla for the equivalent of a full day to cover the execution heightened the importance and tightened the focus of the news presentation on the event rather than the incredible stories of which the execution event was only a part. Bill McMahon, CEO of The Authentic Personality, is a longtime talk radio station and talent consultant who has played a role in the development of the careers of many leading hosts over the past three decades. He can be phoned at 208-887-5670 or emailed at Bill@AuthenticPersonality.biz. More...

From All Access: ENTERCOM Alternative KROQ/LOS ANGELES announces its 26th Annual "KROQ WEENIE ROAST” will be SATURDAY, MAY 12th. The concert returns to STUB HUB CENTER in CARSON with 14 bands … more

From All Access: Individual tickets and tables are now available to purchase for the 2018 COUNTRY RADIO HALL OF FAME INDUCTION DINNER AND AWARDS, set for WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20th at the NASHVILLE MARRIOTT BY … more

From the FCC: FCC To Host Supplier Diversity Workshop To Include One-On-One Networking Opportunities https://apps.fcc.gov:443/edocs_public/index.do?document=350365

From All Access: WAFN (FUN 92.7)/HUNTSVILLE, AL and WNXT (MIX 99.3)/PORTSMOUTH, OH have become the latest stations to add ENVISION NETWORKS’ ASHLEY & BRAD SHOW. The show is a 4-hour daily program … more

From All Access: Congratulations to TOWNSQUARE MEDIA Country KAWO (WOW 104.3)/BOISE afternoon host CHRIS CRUISE, who popped the question to girlfriend JENNI TUSKEY recently. TUSKEY made the announcement … more

From All Access: Congratulations to BMLG RECORDS' FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, who reached #1 this week on the MEDIABASE Country singles chart with their single, "Meant To Be," featuring Pop singer … more

From All Access: ASCAP, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS, paid record-high revenues and distributions in 2017. The organization, which represents more than 660,000 members, collected … more

From All Access: iHEARTMEDIA will kick off the SUMMER with the 2018 iHEARTRADIO WANGO TANGO By AT&T hosted by RYAN SEACREST featuring performances including ARIANA GRANDE, SHAWN MENDES, MEGHAN TRAINOR, 5 … more

From the FCC: Remarks Of FCC Chief Of Staff Matthew Berry At The Joint FCC-FTC Stop Illegal Robocalls Expo, Washington, DC . https://apps.fcc.gov:443/edocs_public/index.do?document=350364

From All Access: COLUMBIA NASHVILLE's MAREN MORRIS was next up to sing the National Anthem before the NASHVILLE PREDATORS took on the COLORADO AVALANCHE on FRIDAY night (4/20) in NASHVILLE for Game 5 of … more

From All Access: ASCAP, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS, paid record-high revenues and distributions in 2017. The organization, which represents more than 660,000 members, collected … more

From All Access: MATT DERRICK tells ALL ACCESS he has left his post as OM at NRG/OMAHA, NE after close to two years. No replacement has been named yet. DERRICK oversaw Hot AC KQKQ (SWEET 98.5), Top … more

From All Access: Former U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA and SOME SPIDER STUDIOS' CAFE podcast and multimedia network is adding a new podcast on the immigrant experience in AMERICA, hosted by satirist BASSEM … more

From All Access: BUDDY SHULA's RADIO ONE BUFFALO, LLC Full Service WECK-A and W275BB (BUFFALO'S VERY OWN)/CHEEKTOWAGA-BUFFALO adds a third signal at 100.5 FM, in addition to 1230 AM and 102.9 FM. The … more

From All Access: WESTWOOD ONE PODCAST NETWORK is launching a new lifestyle podcast focusing on "interesting women doing interesting things." "ALTERNATIVE STYLES" will be hosted by … more

From All Access: SEAN HANNITY's relationship to embattled attorney MICHAEL COHEN came under increased scrutiny SUNDAY (4/22) with the publication of a report in THE GUARDIAN detailing HANNITY's real … more

From All Access: Investor MARIO GABELLI's move to try and get three directors elected to the Board of THE E.W. SCRIPPS CO., challenging the company's operations and looking to squeeze more value from … more

From Talkers: Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley Named TALKERS Woman of the Year. The TALKERS editorial board has announced this morning (4/20) that Caroline Beasley has been named the 2018 recipient of the TALKERS Woman of the Year award. The award (officially titled “The Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Radio Industry by a Woman”) will be presented to Beasley at the forthcoming national talk media industry convention TALKERS 2018: Full Speed Ahead! in New York City on Friday, June 8 during her morning fireside chat with Michael Harrison. Caroline Beasley was appointed chief executive officer of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. on January 1, 2017, previously serving as interim chief executive officer from March 18, 2016 until December 31, 2016 and as executive vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary beginning in 1994. Beasley has served as a director of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. since she joined the company in 1983. Over her tenure prior to 1994, she was employed in various positions, including business manager, assistant controller and corporate controller. She also serves as the joint board chair of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) board of directors and is a past chair of the NAB radio board. In addition, she is of the BMI board of directors and the Broadcasters Foundation of America board of directors. Beasley received the 2016 “Distinguished Service Award” from the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and was the 2012 recipient of the “Frances Preston Trailblazer Award” from the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group (MIW), a national organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of women to senior positions in the radio industry. Harrison states, “Caroline Beasley is an extraordinarily bright rising star among the captains of industry in the radio business and one of the most influential executives operating with a realistic vision of what this medium can do and where it is heading. She was born and raised in a great media family and has had a bird’s-eye view of all the changes this business has gone through since her legendary dad started it as a small family enterprise. Radio is in her DNA.” Recipients of the prestigious award include: Mary Berner, Ginny Morris, Julie Talbott, Robin Quivers, Robin Bertolucci, Heather Cohen, Grace Blazer, Laurie Cantillo, Stephanie Miller, Randi Rhodes, Laura Ingraham, Kim Komando, Adriane Gaines, Lynn Distler, Lisa Evers, Gloria Allred, and more going all the way back to 2000 when it was originally presented posthumously to pioneering talk show host, Judy Jarvis. For information about TALKERS 2018: Full Speed Ahead! please click here. Laura Ingraham in Legal Battle Over Fired Former Assistant.* The suit against Courtside Entertainment nationally syndicated radio host and FOX News Channel*personality Laura Ingraham*was filed in Washington, DC Superior Court by former Ingraham assistant Karolina Wilson*and claims that Ingraham and her company violated anti-discrimination laws and DC’s Family and Medical Leave Act.*The suit alleges that Wilson worked for Ingraham with “proficiency” for 16 months prior to becoming pregnant.*After notifying Ingraham over her condition, Wilson says Ingraham’s attitude toward her changed with Ingraham becoming “distant and angry with her work performance.”* The two sides also allegedly argued over proper maternity leave time after Wilson’s child was born.* Upon returning to work, Wilson was fired from her position.* In a response to the Washington Post, about the suit, Ingraham’s attorney denies the allegations and in response to the suit, rejects Wilson’s contention that her work prior to becoming pregnant was “extremely efficient.”* The two sides are expected in court for a hearing on May 11. TALKERS*News Notes. At Saga Communications’ Ithaca, New York news/talk WHCU, the station goes from a local morning show to the Compass Media-syndicated “This Morning with Gordon Deal” program.* Lee Rayburn*has been the morning drive host at the station for the past six years and announced his departure via Facebook in which he says that the morning show position at the station has been eliminated…..Monticello Media*names Ralph Salierno*vice president and general manager of the company’s Charlottesville, Virginia cluster that includes news/talk WCHV and four music-formatted stations.* Salierno was most recently serving with Alpha Media*as market manager for the company’s Fredericksburg, Virginia cluster…..Yesterday (4/22) was the debut of the venerable “CBS Sunday Morning” television program on the radio.* CBS News Radio*began making the audio of the 9:00 am ET television news magazine available to radio affiliates.*CBS News Radio says that in addition to the Jane Pauley-hosted show being available to radio stations, it is also being made available as a podcast at Radio.com…..The FOX Sports Radio*lineup is getting cleared in the Chicago market as DuPage Radio’s suburban simulcast of WCKG-AM, Elmhurst and translator W272DQ at 102.3 FM turn into a sports talker featuring Clay Travis, Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, and Rich Eisen.* The station plans to add a local afternoon show to the station soon. Trump -Russia Investigation, Iran Nuclear Deal, North Korea Nuclear Program, Waffle House Shooter, Bloomberg Climate Accord Payment, Barbara Bush Tribute, Macron’s U.S. Visit, Romney Senate Bid, MLB and NBA Playoffs Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The Robert Mueller-led investigation into possible connections between Trump campaign operatives and Russian agents, the Trump administration’s threat to leave the Iran nuclear deal; North Korea’s overtures to the U.S. and whether it really would end its nuclear weapons program; a man shoots four dead at a Nashville Waffle House; UN special envoy for climate change Michael Bloomberg*pledges to write a $4.5 million check to cover the U.S.’s financial commitment to the Paris climate accord; former presidents and first ladies pay tribute to the late Barbara Bush; French president Emanuel Macron’s impending visit to the U.S.; Mitt Romney*to run in Republican primary for Utah senate seat; and Major League Baseball and NBA playoffs action among top news/talk stories over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERSmagazine. More...

From All Access: COLONIAL RADIO GROUP, INC. is selling Classic Country WVTT (EAGLE COUNTRY THROWBACKS)/PORTVILLE, NY; Country WAGL (99.1 AND 103.9 THE EAGLE)/ELDRED, PA and booster WAGL-FM1/BRADFORD, PA; … more

From All Access: COX Top 40 WPOI (HOT 101.5)/TAMPA will host its first-ever concert event, the "HOT 101.5 SUMMER Jam" on FRIDAY, JUNE 29th at 7p at AMALIE ARENA. HOT 101.5’s MIGUEL AND HOLLY … more

From All Access: ASCAP, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS, payed record-high revenues and distributions in 2017. The organization, which represents more than 660,000 members, collected … more

From All Access: What's better than one WWRS 2018 Kickoff party? Easy answer ... two WWRS 2018 Kickoff parties, back to back! And ... both parties are just steps away from each other at the … more

From All Access: JACOBS MEDIA's TECHSURVEY 2018, which will have its debut at the upcoming WORLDWIDE RADIO SUMMIT 2018 at NOON on THURSDAY, MAY 3rd, consists of more than 64,000 respondents representing … more

From All Access: CHINA's largest music streaming company, TENCENT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, "is preparing what would be one of the biggest technology IPOs ever following the successful debut of its … more

From All Access: Industry insiders receive ALL ACCESS' exclusive MEDIABASE chart recap analysis in their e-mail box every MONDAY morning. How about you? This week's data from ANTHONY ACAMPORA, Partner … more

From All Access: NIELSEN AUDIO WINTER '18 BOOKS roll out beginning TOMORROW (4/25) for NEW ORLEANS; PUERTO RICO; OKLAHOMA CITY; LOUISVILLE; and BATON ROUGE. … more

From All Access: SAGA/CAYUGA RADIO GROUP News-Talk WHCU-A-W240CB/ITHACA, NY morning host LEE RAYBURN has exited the station. RAYBURN posted on FACEBOOK, "For the past six years, I have made my way … more

From All Access: ASCAP, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSER, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS, has named NICK LEHMAN as EVP/Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, reporting directly to ASCAP CEO ELIZABETH MATTHEWS. … more

From All Access: Longtime WASHINGTON, D.C. radio personality LOO KATZ debuts HOUND RADIO, an internet-only station featuring a unique format; “Music. Chat. This & That”. It launches at 9a (ET) … more