Free Press released a 76-page study this week on media diversity, focusing specifically on women and minority ownership of radio stations -- or the lack thereof. The study, titled Off the Dial: How Media Consolidation Diminishes Diversity on the Radio, reviews the current state of radio ownership (predominately white and male), and the future consequences if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to press pro-consolidation policies.

The findings, while powerful, are not surprising. Women own a mere 6% of full-powered radio stations but comprise 51% of the population. People of color own 7.7% of these stations while making up 33% of the population. Similarly, 15% of the population is Latino, but own only 3% of radio stations. The study also finds that women- and minority-owned stations are the most likely to air local content and diverse programming.