Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Media Studies Journal

Volume

7

Issue

3

Publisher

Freedom Forum

Publication Date

Summer 1993

First Page

xi

Last Page

xix

Abstract

ASK ABOUT "THE MEDIA" and people think first of television, then newspapers. Sometimes, though not always, they acknowledge the existence of radio. But it is not uncommon for media critics to ignore radio altogether in their treatment of the larger modern media mix. Although the average American owns multiple radios and lives with this most portable medium in every room in the house, in the office, the car and even in parks, mountain retreats and at the beach, radio is rarely the topic of public discussion, giving it the dubious identity of "the forgotten medium." This, the oldest of the broadcast media and once the king of electronic media, has moved farther and farther back in the media family photo. Occasionally there are references in the press to a radio station sale, a new radio network or a controversy first ignited on radio, but such sightings of radio in the public discourse are cameo appearances, like those of a once-famous leading actor reduced to walk-on or character roles. Radio, however, is much more than a bit player or an aging "maiden aunt," as more than one author in this Journal suggest.

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Originally published by the Freedom Forum in Media Studies Journal.

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