Letters for October 6-12, 2005

So Far Right, It Hurts

Compared to WFTL, Clear Channel looks good: Once upon a time, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties were awash in stations broadcasting local talk radio ("Savage Station," Bob Norman, September 22). Topics were interesting, stimulating, and at times boring as hell. There was the "Urine Lady," who advocated the drinking of one's own urine for health reasons. Crazies claiming they represented beings from other planets. However, there were many redeeming programs: Our local politicians were held accountable; hosts of programs included attorneys and judges as well as radio professionals. There were lawsuits and talk hosts publicly pissed off at one another.

Then the feds changed the rules, allowing broadcasting companies to own many stations in a market. Radio was always about money, as is any responsible business.

By the time Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida, radio had already become formula, except for a few smaller-signal stations, and most of the local talk-show hosts were gone. Syndication ruled, and few local hosts were left. Those who survived completely changed their formats to go with the national market. WTMI, Miami's signature classical radio station, changed ownership. WTMI had a hell of a signal, spelling big money in advertising dollars, and Cox radio shelled out real big bucks. After a time, Cox radio gave up on its meager but enthusiastic classical radio listeners to suck up to a younger demographic where the money was.

In the current radio world of syndicated conservatism, there arose WFTL-AM (850), a live local talk station -- "an oasis of local talk," as Bob Norman wrote. There was a fun mix of local folk, Democrats and Republicans. Listeners such as myself could call in and have our moments of anonymous fame. Then one day, they were gone.

And so, 850-WFTL has gone Republican/conservative, as have so many others. As its radio personalities trash the poor and bedraggled in New Orleans, I think of Clear Channel radio, whose programming has changed. But in times of emergency, as during Andrew and Katrina, Clear Channel was there for us -- radio survivors such as Mike Wolf, John Levitt, Ed Arnold, newcomer Brian Andrews, and so many others with continuous live programming, taking calls from folk, providing contact 24/7.

Alan W. Rigerman

Palm Springs North