Information Society Watch

September 2007, Joseph Rodriguez, Jhistory

Waves of Opposition: Labor and the struggle for democratic radio, Elizabeth Fones-Wolf's book on the history of the US labour movement's radio, narrates the conflict between business and labour interests to appropriate radio. This review of the book expresses reservations about the how the book pits a noble labour movement against evil business interests, thus ignoring internal divisions, as well the changing economic landscape, consumer preferences, and technological developments. The review summarises the book, describing how better funded and politically connected business leaders exploited radio to promote anti-labour and market interests. It also gives milestones for labour's response to fight for greater access to radio, including through regulatory bodies such as the FCC and by forming their own stations to have control over content and its reach. Overall, the review finds Waves of Opposition to be thoroughly researched and well-written.
NOTE: This is a book review

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