Congress Investigates Radio Programming on School Buses

Skeptical

Susan Linn, director of the CCFC, says that schools, and school buses, should be commercial-free zones. "One of the purposes of school is to promote reason, and one of the purposes of marketing is to undermine reason in the interest of selling products," she says. "It's not good for students."

^The purpose of school may be to promote reasaon, but the only reason that is genuinely promoted to the students is the reasoning of their educators, which may or may not be universal. So who is Mrs. Linn to use that as the underlying reason against BusRadio?

Good to know

That Congress is on the ball and investigating the things most important to all citizens at this time in history. Nothing could possibly be more important than bus radio or whatever than jobs, homes, education, health care, wars -- well, you get the picture?

BusRadio

We do not use BusRadio, but we do have AM/FM radios on our buses. There are three or four radio stations in Lexington that are not considered appropriate for the school bus audience. Some types of music are beneficial in that they do not eliminate the ability to socialize on the bus. The socialization opportunity provided by the bus ride is considered first and foremost when making a decision to create a captive audience. Local programming for many of the stations is acceptable for the calming affect, and does not attempt to brainwash the kids. Talk radio is not an acceptable media resource, not because it is particularly bad, but because it provides too many erroneous opinions and biases. The best use of radio could be a good discussion of the U.S. Constitution, or other worthwhile subject.

Say yes to BusRadio

As a part time bus driver and supervisor of drivers, I can tell you that most students want the radio on and often ask that it be turned up louder. Many would like to have it blasting. It is up to the driver to set the level that allows for safe operation of the bus. Most stuidents who do not like the programing would prefer to listen to cop killer rap or some other inappropriate music. Any time the radio is not on the students always ask to have it played. Non-scientific surveys have indicated that almost all students like the music and like having it on the bus.

Say no to bus radio

Our sons (3rd and 5th grade) have had bus radio for the past year, and they hate it. It's loud and makes conversation between the students more difficult, and it plays music they don't like. They have spontaneously asked me many times if we can get our school district to stop using it. In their position, I know I wouldn't want to listen to Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus for an hour a day.

And Mr. Yanoff, "the people that really matter" are the kids. Our kids would rather not be subjected to the program.