On the Media S2 THE DIVIDED DIAL EPISODE 4: Wall St. Wants Your Airwaves
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May 28, 2025 Bennett Cobb, a retired trade journalist with decades of experience covering the FCC, now runs a blog focused on radio topics. In this discussion, he reveals the rise of pirate radio broadcasting, emphasizing its cultural importance amidst corporate threats to public airwaves. Cobb highlights how finance firms are attempting to commodify radio waves, raising concerns about the loss of public access. The conversation also touches on shortwave technology's surprising role in high-frequency trading, posing critical questions about the future of communication.
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Katie's First Shortwave Experience
- Katie Thornton describes her first experience tuning into shortwave radio in Wisconsin using her grandma's radio.
- This personal discovery sparked her excitement about hearing diverse voices on the shortwaves despite technical challenges.
Matt Todd's Radio Passion
- Matt Todd, a shortwave enthusiast, records and archives diverse pirate radio broadcasts using software-defined radios.
- He enjoys the spontaneity and variety that pirate shortwave radio offers compared to mainstream streams.
Pirate Radio's Creative Freedom
- Pirate shortwave broadcasters operate without licenses, mostly on unused frequenceis, creating a vibrant, diverse radio culture.
- This includes unusual broadcasts like karaoke, old speeches, and even dog sounds over music.