Creation Myth of Radio and Its Nuance to the Story - Essay Example

Creation Myth of Radio and Its Nuance to the Story Creation is outlined as conveying profound “truth, symbolically, metaphorically”, which is in the historical sense. It is a symbolic narrative of how something came into being and how people came to know or inhabit it (O'Neill 1). There have been dramatic advancements in technology, which continues to shape the field of communication. Among many technologies, radio is one of the greatest development in communications established by, George Marconi commonly referred as “Father of radio’ who innovated the first world’s radio message (Huntsberger 1).The story follows that the broadcast developed tremendously and it was later received by 1,700 receivers’ meters away. However, various myths have emerged about radio, which this essay seeks to discuss and eventually, add greater nuance to the story. Since radio invention, there is creation myth that the radio industry is too consolidated and most competitive media industry. However, when looking at the facts, clear radio channel owns 9% of a nation’s radio stations, and less than 20% of the industry revenue. Looking at these facts, it is obvious that, other industries are most consolidated and to some extent radio is least consolidated. This based on the analysis of the most to the least consolidated industries analyzed by Deitze (1). In his research, Deitze argues that wireless presents 87%, Airlines 91%, Cable systems 89%, Newspaper 48%, TV stations 55%, Radio 44%, and Movie studios 99%. Following this discussion, one can challenge the myth by outlining that radio channel are least consolidated and least competitive media industry. Secondly, there is a myth that radio has brought a dying media industry back to life by promoting profane talks and music. This myth affirms that big is bad in that, the more the industry transform the worse the society becomes. However, one can challenge this myth by highlighting the number of benefits it has brought since George Marconi innovated. Radio has become a powerful tool of communication benefiting listeners on news, music, and messages that differ from politics to religion among others. The industry is operating successfully, and it is benefiting listeners, customers, communities, and consumers. It has laid a strong ground of communication as people can communicate effectively regardless of geographical barriers. Thirdly, consolidation has brought severe effects for radio industry along with its employees. Although many support this myth based on the lost jobs over past years, there are many opportunities for personal development as station facilities offer more modernized and improved facilitates. Still, as technology continues to advance at a high rate there are better training, which in turn, improves financial status for employees with better wages. Fourthly, there is a myth created on clear channels producing homogenized play lists. This implies that, radio channels do not regulate what listeners should listen to or not. However, it is obvious that clear channels carry out intensive research each year in establishing what listeners wants. They do this to ensure they reach their target audience as radio targets most people than other media of communication such as TV. With radio, one needs to be close to the radio to listen but TV requires one to be near to both watch and listen. Still, there is hearsay that clear radio channels are centrally controlled. However, this may be a myth because clear radio channels operate on a high decentralized business model where few employees are situated within “San Antonio Corporate Headquarters”. In this case, it stands out that this group can run a clear radio channel and make all decisions. Fifthly, there is a creation fable that amateur radio should set a forward communication post in disaster areas. In this case, the idea of having group of volunteers in disaster areas, untrained to communication skills makes the responders nervous. There are few facts why Amateur radio should operate within disaster areas, unless there is specific communication requested by Ambulance, Fire, or Police. In cases where there are requests of Amateur radio, radio operators should be operating from facilities of their own, instead of a different communication post. Sixthly, many believe that radio saves lives during emergency cases through communicating about accident cases. While this may be true, saving lives is not what radio do in an emergency but communicate about incidences that in turn, set alarm of steps to be taken. Life saving is usually done by Fire, Paramedics, and police but radio assists in communication. Seventhly, it believed that “Uncle Don” of the early radio prominence finished his program while not comprehending that his microphone was uttered. However, the truth of the matter was this was an urban legend that date back in 1930s. In early 1935, “a radio editor in the New York World Telegram wrote the story made by the Baltimore columnist.” Lastly, due to the popularity of radio, government and business should in conflict with radio amateurs. This myth emerged from early pioneers who had conflicts with Amateurs’ messages and some posed false orders to the navy vessels. Although to some extent this may be true, one may challenge this myth by arguing that Amateur radio are paramount in communicating messages effectively. Following this, one may argue that radio is among technologies that have had various myths. Since its invention, many have emerged to challenge its applicability in the society. With facts, there are many advancement brought by radio such as, enhancing effective communication (Hansen, et al 1). In conclusion, this paper has discussed eight myths about radio. In brief, these myths include, radio industry being too consolidated and most competitive media industry and radio media bringing a dying media industry back to life by promoting profane talks and music. Others include, consolidation augmenting severe effects for radio industry along with its employees and clear channels producing homogenized play lists and amateur radio being initiated to bring forward communication post in disaster areas. There are those that believe that radio saves lives during emergency cases through communicating about accident cases. Lastly, there is a creation myth about the need of government and business conflicting with radio amateurs. From the mentioned myths, one can outline that there are many misconceptions about radio. However, it stands out that, radio is a powerful tool, which has brought a vast effect in the 21st century. With no doubt, it has brought effective communication by breaking geographical barriers of distance. With this regard, this paper has discussed various myths about radio and later added a greater nuance to the story. Works Cited Deitz, Corey. Truth or Fiction: Myths uncovered about Radio and Clear Channel. Web. 2012. < http://radio.about.com/cs/funradiothings/p/RadioMyths.htm> Hansen, Flemming, et al. "The Relative Role of Impact and Resonance in Determining the Effectiveness of Radio Advertising".ABI/INFORM Complete. Web. 25 Sep. 2012. Huntsberger, Michael. "Listener Supported: The Culture and History of Public Radio." Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly 84.2 (2007): 404-6. ABI/INFORM Complete. Web. 25 Sep. 2012. O'Neill, Dan. "Myths and Realities." Transmission & Distribution World 61.7 (2009): 72-. ABI/INFORM Complete. Web. 25 Sep. 2012. Read More