Unplug Clear Channel

Unplug Clear Channel is a collaborative campaign to build the power of radio listeners to influence decision-making and content at local Clear Channel stations. Our overall goal is to increase corporate radio accountability to disenfranchised communities and improving broadcast policy locally and nationally. Launched in 2005, the campaign to Unplug Clear Channel has focused on representing Bay Area listeners and increasing public interest programming of local hip-hop stations 106.1 KMEL and 94.9 KYLD, holding Clear Channel decisionmakers accountable for media bias at right-wing radio station 910am KNEW, and increasing coordination amongst groups organizing to Unplug Clear Channel nationally. Led by the Youth Media Council in partnership with five local media, arts and advocacy groups, our campaign goals are to:

• Advocate for community radio that is fair, accurate, and popular
• Build and mobilize a base of concerned listeners, artists and advocates for radio justice
• Demand that Clear Channel decisionmakers meet with listeners and listener advocacy groups, increase public affairs programming aimed at young urban listeners, and hold right-wing radio hosts to a high standard of fairness and accuracy
• Increase the power of local communities to influence Clear Channel and the FCC

Since July 2005 the Unplug Clear Channel campaign has:

• Mobilized thousands of people of color, youth, artists and community leaders to sign 1,872 postcards and protest Clear Channel’s failure to represent the interests of youth and communities of color
• Received over 30 press stories in influential outlets such as Essence Magazine, the Bay Guardian, the Oakland Tribune, and SF Chronicle
• Conducted dozens of educational and cultural events for youth that link Clear Channel’s unfair practices to critical social issues like youth incarceration, poverty and education. 
• And submitted 4 legal petitions to deny Clear Channel’s radio licenses, which Clear Channel has opposed. We are currently awaiting an FCC decision.