Call To Action: Politically Motivated Radio Station to Dumb Down the Atlanta Market with the Removal of Warren Ballentine and Al Sharpton

The Peoples Attorney, Warren Ballentine, to be Removed from the Atlanta Station в 102.5 Grown Folks Radio

Atlanta, GA, January 26, 2009: Information was received from a source that Radio Oneвs CEO will be phasing out Warren Ballentine and Al Sharptonвs radio slot on or about February 6, 2009. According to this source, Radio One is basing their decision off of the ratings, or lack thereof, of the Portable People Monitor (PPM). PPM ratings are based on audience estimates and are the opinion of Arbitron and should not be relied on for precise accuracy or precise representativeness of a demographic or radio market.

Supposedly this decision is strictly based on presumptuous advertising dollars that was forecast according to listenership during the primary and presidential-election season. Bottom line the expectation and demand for quality programming, is assumed, no longer required in this market now that President Obama is in office. It is totally incomprehensible as to why Radio One would take this stand being these two individuals have such a huge following.

Upon research of the December PPM Client Update1,946 people carried this monitor in the Atlanta market targeted. Of the 1,946 persons selected, 623 were black, 158 were Hispanic and 1,165 were other. The report did not detail which radio stations were being targeted but were only based on age and race demographics, http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/monthlyppmclientupdate12_31_08.pdf. The amount of blacks that carried the PPM was not a concise enough consensus to base a decision to take Warren Ballentine and Al Sharpton off of the air.

Listeners are disappointed with this decision and demand that Warren Ballentine and Al Sharpton remain on the air. Their shows educate and empower people to stand up and take action for themselves and in turn give back to their communities. Everything will be done to prevent the removal of these two moguls.

Call, write, fax; Grown Folks Radio 102.5, 101 Marietta St. 12th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, Office General Info: 404-765-9750 ask for Derek Harper, Office General Fax: 404-688-7686, General Manager: Tim Davies

Call, write, fax: 102.5 Corporate, Corporate: Radio One, Inc., 5900 Princess Garden Parkway, 7th FL, Lanham, MD 20706, 301.306.1111 main number, President, Alfred C. Liggins, III, emai: info@radio-one.com,email:IR@radio-one.com,