FORMER STATION OWNER WILL MOVE UP IN THE NEW CONGRESS
The Washington Post recently profiled Oregon Republican Congressman Greg Walden, calling him a conscientious lawmaker who plays well with others (I paraphrase). Regardless of your politics, that’s going to be critical when the new Congress sits down in January with an enormous influx of first-time representatives and senators.
More to the point as far as we’re concerned: Walden is a radio guy.
While he no longer owns his small station group in the Northwest, Walden has retained an interest in radio. And why not? Like many of us, he began his radio career taking out the trash and running the board, announcing and learning the ropes at his family’s stations. There’s no better background for a radio station manager and all that hard work and variety seems to have served him well as a lawmaker, too.
Walden has been tapped to head a subcommittee that will map out rules for the new Republican majority in the House. Look for him to move up to more public positions, too, including—according to the Post—the House Communications Subcommittee. He could do a lot of good for the radio industry in that seat, especially with so many key radio issues dangling out there.
What about YOUR representatives?
Which brings us to the people who were elected from your district(s). If you haven’t taken the trouble to establish relationships with them or their staffs, there is no more important time to do so than right now, before the new session begins.
How do you feel about HD? Let them know
What can be done about music performance and copyright payments? Tell them.
What about FM on cell phones?
Interference issues?
And that slew of new translators—are they killing you or curing you? All these and many more issues have either come into the sights of the Congress already or are about to. And if your idea of making yourself felt on Capital Hill is to let the NAB do the buttonholing, you’re missing a terrific opportunity.
Yes, “all politics is local”. And your local clout as the boss of a radio station or group is something your elected representatives cannot afford to ignore. The only way they will ignore it is if you don’t flex your muscle (or at least start firing off thoughtful emails) with them now.
Whenever you contact an elected representative, keep in mind the golden rules for turning your messages into action items:
- State the issue clearly and concisely—and don’t make political comments
- Tell the recipient who you are and why the issue is important not only to you but to the rest of your community
- Let them know exactly what you want them to do
- Above all: keep it brief, focused and professional
Radio—especially local-market radio—needs strong voices in Washington
