Static on the radio

Keep an open mind when you read the next sentence. Is Clear Channel ruining radio?

To many, the answer is obvious. The word “duh” may have just reached the tip of your tongue.

The charges leveled against the San Antonio-based broadcast giant are well-known, even by educated worrywarts who don’t listen to commercial radio.

Clear Channel is a “bully.” Worse, a “monopoly.” Its programming is lousy, its playlists are narrowly predictable. Its executives are in the back pocket of the Bush administration.

Music video director Stephen Marshall (Eminem, 50 Cent) says the company is part of an authoritarian media-industrial complex. The liberal-leaning Web site Salon.com devotes a chunk of its real estate to negative stories about the “gluttonous” Clear Channel.

Lately, the company is in the news a lot because of the federal government’s crackdown on indecency. It dumped Howard Stern from six of its radio stations. It fired Todd Clem (aka “Bubba the Love Sponge”) in South Florida.

Salon watchdog Eric Boehlert once said Clear Channel was willing to “burn animals alive” if it meant higher ratings. Now his beef is that the company is clamping down on free speech.

Clear Channel is being sued by the Denver-based Nobody in Particular Presents, a competitor in the concert-promotion business. The case, based on a claim that Clear Channel shaves airplay for artists who tour with other promoters, is on its way to a jury trial this summer.

The company was Public Enemy No. 2 — President Bush took top honors — at the Tell Us the Truth concert tour that stopped at the 9:30 Club last year. It was emceed by comedian Janeane Garofalo, who now hosts a show on the liberal network Air America.

Pop quiz: Who owns the station that broadcasts Air America in Portland, Ore.?

Answer: Clear Channel.

Ironic, isn’t it?

Why does Clear Channel have so many hands wringing?

After talking to Clear Channel executives based in the Washington area as well as competitors in both broadcast and satellite radio, I’m beginning to think the case against the company is so much hysteria.

If you’re a Clear Channel hater, I wonder if you’re also a Wal-Mart hater. I’ll bet you are.

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