Business Ethics Social Responsibility of Local Radio

IRACS #1

“Radio stations raise money for St. Jude”

http://www.wmctv.com/story/23777655/radio-stations-raising-money-for-st-ju

de-childrens-hospital

Article: October 24, 2013

Issue:

Radio stations in the Memphis area raise money for St. Jude by running a

26-hr telethon. The radio stations taking part in the two-day telethon are:

1070AM WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis, 95.7 Hallelujah FM WHAL, V101

(R&B/Old School) , and WHRK K97 (Hip Hop/R&B).

Rule:

The rule that this issue involves is a corporation’s social responsibility. As

defined in our textbook, social responsibility is an organization’s obligation to

maximize its positive impact on stakeholders and minimize the negative

impact (Business Ethics, 13). This would be considered a philanthropic level

of social responsibility as it refers to activities that are not required of

businesses but that promote human welfare or goodwill (Business Ethics,

39).

Analysis:

Being the home of St. Jude, Memphians can constantly find opportunities to

give to further cancer research. Unfortunately many Memphians and

Memphis business owners overlook such a natural partnership. These radio

stations, because of the powerful voice they hold, have an obligation to their

communities to promote and sponsor goodwill.

Listener’s biggest complaints about radio stations, and why many have

turned to satellite radio, are stations need to rely on advertising. Listeners,

myself included, feel bombarded by advertisements. By taking a short-term

loss on advertising dollars to run the telethon, these stations are showing

their listeners that our community matters more than the bottom line. They

are rallying their listeners for a great cause, which will in turn creates more

loyal listeners.

Conclusion:

This is an example of good ethics. Even though the radio stations lose out on

advertising dollars during the telethon, they gain notoriety as stations that

support the community. If there’s...