Preserving and Tuning into Radio Stations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

ABSTRACT The United States boasts more than 100 historically black colleges and universities, and 29 of those institutions own and operate radio stations targeted for the HBCU Radio Preservation Project. The lack of minority ownership in broadcasting has been a long-standing issue facing the industry. This study focuses on the radio stations targeted for the HBCU Radio Preservation Project, their web presence as well as how the journalism and mass communication programs integrate the stations in the curriculum. Findings suggest that most of the stations are operated as noncommercial, and provide community programming and outreach beyond the campus. All of the stations in the sample have a web presence and more than half have some affiliation with National Public Radio.