Challenge Lowry's 'Distinguished Service Award'

Later today in Las Vegas I and my colleague Josh Silver will announce the nominees for The Big Media Hall of Shame. The five nominees, all prominent media and government figures, will be saluted for their public disservice and contributions to media consolidation. Our announcement was made in conjunction with the National Association of Broadcasters' annual Las Vegas trade show. Moments after the NAB honors Clear Channel Chairman Lowry Mays with a “Distinguished Service Award,” we will officially nominate the radio executive to the Hall of Shame.

Check out our video for the event:

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“The irony of the industry bestowing Lowry Mays with its ‘Distinguished Service Award’ has not escaped the public interest community,” said Josh. “Clear Channel’s predatory business practices have replaced local voices and independent music across the country with cookie-cutter programming piped in from corporate headquarters. Of course, for Mays, radio is never about providing quality news or great music – it’s only about pushing products to his listeners.”

Joining Mays in the inaugural class of nominees for Hall of Shame are Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corp.; former FCC Chairman Michael Powell; Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell; and Sinclair Broadcast Group Chairman and CEO David Smith.

Over the next four weeks, the public will vote at the Hall of Shame for the nominee who has done the least to serve the public interest. During a May 14 ceremony at the National Conference for Media Reform in St. Louis, Free Press will induct the nominee who receives the most votes into the Big Media Hall of Shame.

These nominees have dedicated their lives to making Big Media even bigger. Which one of these men sacrificed all dignity, ethics and morality to come out on top on 2005? It’s time for America to decide who belongs in the Big Media Hall of Shame.