Radio Mergers Under Scrutiny

The top communications regulator says the radio industry has seen "dramatic consolidation" that may be of "genuine concern" to the government and the public.

But Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell stops short of calling for any action, because he says he's not sure that local audiences are being shortchanged.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Powell said there have been some cases in which stations have been purchased and local programming has been "pushed out" in favor of syndicated shows. But, then again, he says there have been plenty of examples where a new station owner has increased the amount of local news and other local content on the air.

Powell also says stations have a strong profit incentive to serve their local audiences. He says radio is similar to television, where stations are able to charge their highest advertising rates for local programs like the six o'clock news.

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