Clear Channel - the radio anti-Christ - is trying to deflect criticism of its generic, cookie cutter, race to the bottom approach to commercial radio hegemony by forming "local advisory boards" for its stations, including here in Cleveland:

The largest U.S. radio chain, known in part for broadcasting single programs at many stations across the country, said it would start the project in its home town of San Antonio, Texas, with advisory councils slated to open in Cleveland, Ohio and Sarasota, Florida in the first quarter.

More would roll out during the rest of 2004, said the company, which said the boards would let local music communities, community leaders and customer representatives give feedback.

Clear Channel, which operates over 1,200 stations, has been criticized for diluting the amount of local information on radio, since it uses one signal for many markets.

"By creating standing advisory boards, we're expecting to help our local managers identify local market needs, concerns, and opportunities earlier so that we can act even more swiftly to serve our key local constituencies," President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Hays said in a statement. [Reuters]

You mean even more quickly than not at all? This is a no-lose situation for the broadcast Mephistopheles: if they DO get any ideas or information they can use, the board(s) will have functioned as free consultants. Otherwise, they can just use the boards to deflect criticism and take their suggestions under perpetual advisement.