Recent reports from the National Journal’s Congress Daily is stating that the Lanham based urban radio giant Radio One had come under the House Judiciary Committee’s fire for their refusal to testify at a hearing billed as a forum for the purpose of examining plummeting advertising revenues, increasing media consolidation, and a pending legislation that would put an end to long standing copyright royalty exemption for over the air radio. Something that broadcasters are opposed to.
On Thursday, July 9, 2009, Chairman John Conyers and other members of the Judiciary scolded Radio One found Cathy Hughes and her son, Alfred Liggens (CEO) for being no shows. Other critics of the bill are said to include Reverend Al Sharpton (National Action Network), Reverend Jesse Jackson (Rainbow Push Coalition), Tom Joyner (Syndicated Radio Host), and David Honig (Minority Media and Telecommunication Council). Locally, Radio One owns WKYS, WERQ, WOL, WOLB, WYCB, WPRS, WWIN-AM/FM, and WMMJ.