Signals in the Air - (Media and Society) by Michael Keith (Hardcover)

About the Book

Signals in the Air: Native Broadcasting in America is the first book-length study of one of the most unique communications enterprises in U.S. history. It is the remarkable account of how the nation's most exploited minority group overcame adversity by embracing the airwaves. Through their own radio and television stations, American Indians have found a way to keep their cultures and languages from perishing. This book examines the impetus behind the development of Native-run stations and how these stations operate today. It assesses the influence and impact of Native broadcasts in the Indigenous community and seeks to chronicle the formidable challenges confronting Indian broadcasters as they provide vital programming services to the often impoverished inhabitants of the nation's remote reservations.

Book Synopsis

Signals in the Air: Native Broadcasting in America is the first book-length study of one of the most unique communications enterprises in U.S. history. It is the remarkable account of how the nation's most exploited minority group overcame adversity by embracing the airwaves. Through their own radio and television stations, American Indians have found a way to keep their cultures and languages from perishing. This book examines the impetus behind the development of Native-run stations and how these stations operate today. It assesses the influence and impact of Native broadcasts in the Indigenous community and seeks to chronicle the formidable challenges confronting Indian broadcasters as they provide vital programming services to the often impoverished inhabitants of the nation's remote reservations.

From the Back Cover

Signals in the Air: Native Broadcasting in America is the first book-length study of one of the most unique communications enterprises in U.S. history. It is the remarkable account of how the nation's most exploited minority group overcame adversity by embracing the airwaves. Through their own radio and television stations, American Indians have found a way to keep their cultures and languages from perishing. This book examines the impetus behind the development of Native-run stations and how these stations operate today. It assesses the influence and impact of Native broadcasts in the indigenous community and seeks to chronicle the formidable challenges confronting Indian broadcasters as they provide vital programming services to the often impoverished inhabitants of the nation's remote reservations.

Review Quotes

," . . Indeed a breakthrough. The theme is stirring and important."-Mr. Norman Corwin "Radio's Poet Laureate" and author of Norman Corwin's Letters

"Information regarding Native American broadcasting is extremely limited and a book of this nature by an author of Mr. Keith's stature will be of great value to the broadcasting industry, and any student of broadcasting/history/social studies."-Mr. Bruce DuMont President Museum of Broadcast Communications

"It is not only a breakthrough . . . but it provides that group itself with information."-Robert Hilliard Professor of Communications Emerson College

"Signals in the Air is a book that ICA and the Indigenous broadcast community helped create with Michael Keith and one which we fully endorse."-Mr. Ray Cook Executive Director Indigenous Communications ossociation

"This book is a significant achievement and a welcome addition to the small list of publications on this subject. It gives those of us who work in the field a chance to see where we have come from and an opportunity to reflect on where we are headed."-Mr. Frank Blythe Founding Member and Executive Director Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium

.,."in light of recent federal cuts threatening public broadcasting, this book appears especially relevant. This is a readable book and somewhat of a breakthrough for the Native broadcasting industry, consonant with their views and struggle to cope with foriegn culture thrust upon them. It would be useful for classes in broadcasting history or in the social science study of Native Americans."-Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

?...in light of recent federal cuts threatening public broadcasting, this book appears especially relevant. This is a readable book and somewhat of a breakthrough for the Native broadcasting industry, consonant with their views and struggle to cope with foriegn culture thrust upon them. It would be useful for classes in broadcasting history or in the social science study of Native Americans.?-Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

?Although of particular interest to Native American broadcasters, their audiences, and Native American studies specialists, this book affords an interesting, unexpected angle on a number of important, current issues of general interest. Keith has brought together valuable, detailed historical information about native broadcasting and firsthand accounts of the problems and prospects faced by native broadcasters. Politics, culture, and communication are central topics in the current context of multiculturalism and high technology, and this book presents an interesting case study of some basic issues. Upper-division undergraduate and above.?-Choice

?Breaks important new ground in communication studies by shedding light on the "first minority" and its growing use of electronic media. Keith provides a valuable service with this readable survey of a fascinating market, almost totally unknown outside of Native American circles. And it has currency in the political world given the debate on the future of funding for public broadcasting as many of these stations receive support from CPB. Important reading offering considerable insight by an expert observer.?-Communication Booknotes

?Little has been published about Native American broadcasting. There are a few scholarly articles and segments in books about ethnic broadcasting, but nothing that compares with Signals in the Air. This book offers a readable history of Native broadcasting in the United States, together with fairly detailed profiles of individual Native-owned stations that are in operation today. Signals in the Air offers a fascinating window into one small part of life in Indian Country. The book is well written and logically organized. This book is important because it is the most current and complete piece of literature available on indigenous broadcasting in America.?-Journal Radio Studies

?With so much disinformation going out over the airwaves, Signals in the Air is a valuable contribution to the ethnic broadcasting industry.?-The Cape Codder

..."in light of recent federal cuts threatening public broadcasting, this book appears especially relevant. This is a readable book and somewhat of a breakthrough for the Native broadcasting industry, consonant with their views and struggle to cope with foriegn culture thrust upon them. It would be useful for classes in broadcasting history or in the social science study of Native Americans."-Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

"Although of particular interest to Native American broadcasters, their audiences, and Native American studies specialists, this book affords an interesting, unexpected angle on a number of important, current issues of general interest. Keith has brought together valuable, detailed historical information about native broadcasting and firsthand accounts of the problems and prospects faced by native broadcasters. Politics, culture, and communication are central topics in the current context of multiculturalism and high technology, and this book presents an interesting case study of some basic issues. Upper-division undergraduate and above."-Choice

"Breaks important new ground in communication studies by shedding light on the "first minority" and its growing use of electronic media. Keith provides a valuable service with this readable survey of a fascinating market, almost totally unknown outside of Native American circles. And it has currency in the political world given the debate on the future of funding for public broadcasting as many of these stations receive support from CPB. Important reading offering considerable insight by an expert observer."-Communication Booknotes

"With so much disinformation going out over the airwaves, Signals in the Air is a valuable contribution to the ethnic broadcasting industry."-The Cape Codder

"Little has been published about Native American broadcasting. There are a few scholarly articles and segments in books about ethnic broadcasting, but nothing that compares with Signals in the Air. This book offers a readable history of Native broadcasting in the United States, together with fairly detailed profiles of individual Native-owned stations that are in operation today. Signals in the Air offers a fascinating window into one small part of life in Indian Country. The book is well written and logically organized. This book is important because it is the most current and complete piece of literature available on indigenous broadcasting in America."-Journal Radio Studies

About the Author

MICHAEL C. KEITH is a member of the Communication Department at Boston College. He is the author of several books on electronic media, including The Radio Station (3rd edition, 1993) and The Broadcast Century: A Biography of American Broadcasting (1992), with Robert Hilliard. He has held various positions at several radio stations, and was Chair of Education at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.