In These Changing Times Of News & Talk Breaks  

Consultant Harry Lyles, Lyles Media

America is changing right before our eyes every single day. If you have and hold a radio license, you have an expectation and dedication to the black community. You can believe what you hear and see, and it is the job of radio to talk about what’s going on in real time. Real time, meaning grab the moment each and every day and talk about what’s happening.

A relevant newscast or talk breaks doesn’t mean or cause tune out to your format. If you are up to date every day and giving the locals what they want, they will be back tomorrow. Always remember, listeners are smart, and they know if your station is connected and serious about serving them. If you leave out relevant content, they know that also.

In radio today, the job more so is to be connected and concentrate on news that directly affects them. We must be open, concise and clear and explain in layman’s terms how the story local or national is related to them. In short, we must stop pretending and take the current day of news more serious than ever.

In short, locals are interested in stories that are of interest and in today’s world the political climate is a must to talk about. You can’t avoid talking or sprinkling in the political topics that are happening in real time. American is a bit pissed off on a lot of levels and the local town halls prove it.

Don’t think you can stay with the status quo and survive. Keep up with the changing times and ask yourself if you are a solid representative of information that the locals need to know, must know and should know. It’s your job, so get it done and don’t be invisible or look the other way. Hold yourself responsible for the current day information that must be heard and not ignored. Remember, what the late Rep. John Lewis said.