Monday Memo: ChatGPT, Carefully
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Observation, as a heavy CNBC viewer: Artificial Intelligence is to 2025 what Dot Com was to the late 1990s, game-changer… and shiny object.
Everyone seemed to be chanting “AI” at this year’s CES. In a previous column here, I offered, from experience, some Do’s-and-Don’ts for crafting commercial copy. And as vendors are applying AI to various other broadcast content and operational functions, I asked the app itself: “How would you caution radio broadcasters against over-reliance on ChatGPT?” SECONDS later, the robot replied:
“Here are some key points to consider:
1. Maintain Authenticity: Radio broadcasting thrives on the personality and authenticity of its hosts. Relying too heavily on AI-generated scripts or content can make broadcasts feel robotic, inauthentic, or detached. Listeners tune in to hear the voice, opinions, and personality of the broadcaster, not just information being read off a script. ChatGPT is great for generating ideas, but it shouldn’t replace the genuine voice of the host.
2. Human Connection: One of the strengths of radio is the personal connection that hosts build with their audience. This connection comes from spontaneous moments, personal anecdotes, and relatable conversations. AI can’t replicate the unique, emotional bond that a human broadcaster forms with listeners. Overusing AI could distance the host from the audience and make the show feel more like a recorded message than a live, engaging experience.
3. Accuracy and Fact-Checking: While ChatGPT can generate a lot of information quickly, it’s not always accurate or up-to-date. Broadcasters need to be mindful that AI-generated content might contain errors, outdated facts, or biased perspectives. Relying on AI without fact-checking could lead to broadcasting misinformation, which can seriously damage the station’s credibility.
4. Tone and Nuance: AI like ChatGPT can struggle with tone, emotion, and subtlety in language. Radio broadcasters need to ensure that the tone of the broadcast fits the subject matter and the audience. AI might miss the mark on this, especially in more nuanced or sensitive topics. A human touch is often needed to tailor the message effectively.
5. Audience Engagement: ChatGPT can provide content, but it can’t engage with listeners the way a broadcaster can. Over-relying on AI could take away opportunities for live interaction, audience call-ins, and real-time feedback. Broadcasting is about creating a dialogue, not just delivering information, and AI isn’t capable of fostering real-time, dynamic conversations.
6. Creativity and Innovation: While AI can assist with generating ideas, true creativity comes from the human mind. Broadcasters should focus on bringing fresh, original ideas to the table—things AI can’t easily replicate. Over-relying on ChatGPT might limit creativity, turning broadcasts into predictable, generic experiences.
In summary, while AI tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly useful for research, inspiration, and content generation, broadcasters should ensure they don’t lose the human element of their shows. Maintaining authenticity, personal engagement, and creativity are key to keeping radio content fresh and compelling. AI should be a tool, not a substitute for the broadcaster’s unique voice and connection with the audience.”
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
21.67% of stations had women in the general manager position, a decline of half a point from last year, but a large increase from 2004 when 14.9% of stations had a female GM. MIW says the best management opportunities for women in radio continues to be in sales management as 35.67% of stations had a woman sales manager in 2024, up more than a full percentage point from 2023. When it comes to programming, MIW says the greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be in the area of program directors/brand managers. Women currently program 12.38% of stations, a slight gain from 11.50% in 2023. MIW board president Sheila Kirby comments, “While we are encouraged by the progress in sales management and programming, the overall numbers show that there is still significant work to be done. Leadership opportunities for women in radio must continue to grow, and our mission at MIW remains steadfast – empowering, mentoring, and advocating for more women to rise into key decision-making roles across the industry.”
Nicole Ovadia says, “Our latest forecast indicates that local advertising is showing resilience, despite the ongoing changes in the economic landscape. Although we expect core advertising to remain stable, we’ve adjusted our outlook to account for various market factors like interest rates and consumer sentiment and significant changes in media consumption patterns that are driving digital growth.” The forecast indicates strong growth in several sectors: Real Estate at 9.3%, Restaurants at 9.2%, and Retail at 6.8%. The Education and Automotive verticals are also experiencing substantial growth, with increases of 5% each.
people spend by far the most amount of their time at home, the at-home environment offers a variety of listening devices including smart speakers, internet-connected TVs, and computers, in addition to mobile phones… And we know from our qualitative research that podcast listeners can listen while they multitask at home.” After listening at home, listening at work contributes 16% to the overall daily listening time to podcasts, while in-car listening captures 11% of daily listening time. Edison adds, “We can theorize that because people often take short drives during the day including quick trips to the store, or school, or on errands, that those short trips might not be conducive to becoming fully engaged with a podcast.” Finally, 6% of listening happens in various other locations, such as gyms, grocery stores, or while walking.
Advisory Board. The NYFestivals says Melén’s addition to the board will “further enhance the NYF Radio Awards, strengthening its commitment to celebrating innovation and excellence in the dynamic realm of audio storytelling.” Radio Awards EVP and executive director Rose Anderson adds, “Charlotte Melén’s pioneering work in immersive audio storytelling, especially the use of binaural and ambisonic microphones on location, has redefined the possibilities of the medium. Her team combines the highest production standards with a filmic sensibility to the delight of creators, brands, and listeners.”
with more than 250 affiliate stations. Coglianese comments, “I am beyond thrilled to be stepping into this role with Westwood One and Silverloch and can’t thank my WMAL family in Washington enough for the eight incredible years we’ve already spent together. I also want to offer a special thank you to Dan Bongino for selflessly returning to service for his country. His decency and sacrifice are a true testament to his character. Now we take things to the next level. I’m deeply conscious of the history-making legacies of these broadcasts, which is why we will be delivering the ultimate three-hour live radio show and one-hour podcast for the millions of Americans who demand the truth.” Westwood One president Collin Jones adds, “Vince’s star has been on the rise, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the unparalleled Westwood One platform to expand his reach even further. Vince’s unparalleled ability to combine realism with sharp political insight makes him the ideal host to captivate audiences across both live radio and podcasting. ‘The VINCE Show’ and ‘VINCE’ podcast will quickly become cornerstones of our industry-leading conservative talk lineup.”
Apple Media’s 77WABC Radio beginning this week (3/9). Red Apple says “The Anthony Cumia Show” will air Sundays from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET. Cumia says, “I am beyond thrilled to join 77WABC. They are the only ones doing great radio, and I’m looking forward to having a blast and connecting with my fans. I’m grateful to John [Catsimatidis] and Chad [Lopez] for offering me this opportunity. We’re going to have a great time!” Lopez says, “Anthony has a strong and loyal following who have missed him on New York radio. Anthony brings another element of entertainment to our weekend programming, which is about having fun.”
families during life’s most challenging moments. Broadcasters Foundation of America president Tim McCarthy says, “For over 70 years, the Broadcasters Foundation has provided critical aid—ranging from medical care to emergency financial assistance—for broadcasters facing hard times. The steadfast generosity of Katz Media Group makes it possible for us to continue our mission, and I can’t thank the Katz team enough for their ongoing commitment.” Katz Media Group has been selected to receive the 2025 Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award, which will be presented at the BFOA Golden Mic Gala on March 10. This prestigious honor recognizes Katz’s dedication to supporting the Broadcasters Foundation of America and its mission of helping broadcasters in need.
the “Private Economic Council” – a Washington, DC-based organization composed of “influential business leaders, entrepreneurs and economists promoting free market tax policies, advocating for taxpayers, and helping to support and promote President Trump’s economic agenda.” It also includes former Trump senior economic advisor and former member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board Steve Moore, Papa John’s founder John Schnatter, and former U.S. congressman and current Liberty University School of Business Dean Dave Brat.
York director of marketing and promotions Emily Magelof says, “David’s creativity, vision, and dedication have been instrumental in driving our brands. We are excited for him to continue elevating our promotional efforts, ensuring even greater success in the future.” Montague comments, “I am truly honored for this accomplishment and excited for the future. I want to thank my support system at iHeartMedia, friends and family for their continued confidence and believing in me.”
During my tenure at NBC, once a month the division heads would meet at the behest of the CEO to report on their progress and trends in their sector. As the executive vice president of the FM division, I took a seat in that formidable group and tried to keep my remarks as brief as possible. What could I possibly say that would be more damn important than the words of the president of NBC News or the NBC Television network? In addition to NBC’s CEO, the CEO of owner RCA would often join the fun.
solution that brings both sides together for progress and unity. Patterson and Flippin battle the political, social, and economic differences, ultimately landing on common sense and the truth in every situation.” Red Apple owner John Catsimatidis says, “I have known David for many years. He is a common-sense politician, with the ability to make insightful observations about national and local politics. David represents the Democratic perspective with a level-head and a focus on finding the common ground that unites us and moves us forward. Our listeners already know David. His entrée as a regularly scheduled co-host of ‘Left vs. Right’ will be a welcome addition to our listeners.” Patterson says, “I am thrilled to be a part of the permanent WABC Radio lineup and to represent the left side of things. As Americans, we have more in common than we might realize. With common sense, we can come together as Americans and New Yorkers and solve our problems. I’m looking forward to working with James and helping to bring New Yorkers together.”
the team to develop, sell and service local business. The position is responsible for delivering assigned revenue targets through managing sales team efforts, developing sales talent and monthly business planning. The GSM develops relationships with businesses, engages with networks such as chambers, business alliances etc. to uncover opportunities within the local market. The GSM will maintain an account list while helping the sales team sell and develop cohesive campaigns for new direct businesses. 
will air on SiriusXM’s Stars channel from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein comments, “Page Six has been a powerhouse for all celebrity news for nearly half a century, and by teaming up with our in-house experts here at SiriusXM, this new show is sure to be the ultimate destination for pop culture fans. With the launch of ‘Page Six Radio,’ we are transforming the publication’s stories to a dynamic new format that will expand its reach and resonate with SiriusXM listeners who turn to the platform for all the latest entertainment news.”
discussion that will include experts educating New Jersey residents about how to identify threats and what to do when one’s personal safety is in jeopardy. The program will also expose the growing threat posed to children who are increasingly being groomed and recruited by extremists online. He says, “Law enforcement is increasingly concerned about both foreign and domestic threats. But the rate at which extremists are targeting our children is particularly alarming.” On-air guests will include: Carl Priddy, acting assistant special agent in charge of counterterrorism for the Newark FBI office; Laurie R. Doran, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness; Adam McMahon, assistant professor of political science at Rider University; and John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven and former commander of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
streamed live on Rumble, and soon on both YouTube and X. Root tells TALKERS, “I’m thrilled to announce I’m now part of ‘Untamed Nation’ two hours a day. This gives my fans a daily choice – they can listen to my talk show on the radio, or they can watch both hours streamed as a podcast. Untamed is quite a unique platform. Untamed cuts through the noise and brings the truth to light. We are bold, empowering, and disruptive. No filters, no fear. Just raw untamed truth. It’s the perfect platform for ‘the loudest MAGA mouth in the world.’”
a state-of-the-art podcast studio in Qatar, accompanied by a lineup of original shows and the introduction of some of the world’s most popular podcasts to Arabic-listening audiences. It will also execute specialized masterclasses to nurture local talent and host global industry events, including Web Summit gatherings, positioning Qatar as a meeting point for the world’s top podcasting voices. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman comments, “Podcasting has exploded in the US and is now a mass-reach medium. And iHeartMedia, with our expansive network as the #1 podcaster in America, is in a unique position to grow strong listenership around the globe. iHeartPodcasts features a massive catalog of original shows spanning every category and this new partnership creates an opportunity to work with a long roster of incredible creators and distribute even more content to new audiences in the Middle East.”
AM in Louisville and 51 other stations around Kentucky. iHeartMedia Kentucky/Memphis area president Kristy Beebe states, “We are incredibly excited to extend our partnership with Matt Jones and ‘Kentucky Sports Radio.’ Matt’s unique insights and engaging style have made him a beloved figure in the sports community, and we are proud to continue bringing his show to our dedicated audience. This renewal underscores our commitment to delivering top-notch sports content and maintaining our position as the leading audio company in the region.”
Leadership Award honorees are: Chris Forgy, president & CEO, Saga Communications; David Kantor, former CEO of Urban One’s Radio Division; Curtis LeGeyt, president & CEO, NAB; Susan Larkin, COO, Audacy; Dennis Lyle, president & CEO, Illinois Broadcasters Association; and Valari Staab, chairman, NBC Universal Local. The 2025 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award honoree is Scott Herman, former COO, CBS Radio, and chair, Broadcasters Foundation of America. The2025 Chairman’s Award honoree is Richard Bodorff, senior counsel, Wiley Law. 
by a political appointee instead of a career agent. The role of the deputy director is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the bureau’s law enforcement. The Journal also reports that new FBI director Kash Patel had “offered Republican senators private assurances that he would name a special agent with bureau experience” in order to provide “operational expertise and experience.” The FBI Agents Association has made no public statement so far. Cumulus Media issued the following statement: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dan Bongino on his decision to take on the role of deputy director of the FBI. Dan has entertained and informed tens of millions of listeners every day and we are grateful for our successful partnership. We look forward to welcoming Dan back in the future. We truly value our audience, advertisers, and affiliates and remain dedicated to bringing them the next exciting chapter for this programming soon. Dan’s last show will be Friday, March 14.”
Catsimatidis says, “With the addition of The StoneZONE, radio audiences will have Roger’s perspective on news of the day in real-time. Our world is moving quicker than ever before, and listeners want to hear Roger’s insider’s understanding of what’s really going on in politics.” Following each evening’s broadcast, a video version of that StoneZONE will soon be exclusively available on Stone’s StoneZONE Rumble channel. This new show is in addition to the syndicated Sunday “Roger Stone Show” that also airs on WABC.
KRTK, Hermann; KVMO, Vandalia; and KRTE, Steelville in Missouri. For information on carrying Todd’s show, email 
Jim Gearhart is a remarkable on-air talent who was the AM drive host on New Jerey 101.5 for 20-plus years. In the 1960’s he was a star on WCBS-AM and WNEW. The illustration is an ad for his 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm show on WNBC circa 1968.
been diagnosed with suspected CTE two years ago and joined the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh. He told “Pittsburgh Today Live” at the time, “If I can help anybody on this road, who is on this road or will be on this road in the years ahead, I feel better about being able to do that and being able to learn from my experiences.” Burnett played sports throughout his childhood and played college football at the University of Tennessee. (Photo: KDKA) 
executive branch and must therefore: “(1) submit draft regulations for White House review—with no carve-out for so-called independent agencies, except for the monetary policy functions of the Federal Reserve; and (2) consult with the White House on their priorities and strategic plans, and the White House will set their performance standards. The Office of Management and Budget will adjust so-called independent agencies’ apportionments to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. The President and the Attorney General (subject to the President’s supervision and control) will interpret the law for the executive branch, instead of having separate agencies adopt conflicting interpretations.” The order also argues that since the president is elected by the people and all agencies are accountable to the American people, therefore the president represents the will of the people. Critics of the move are questioning the constitutionality of the order and some expect this matter will be decided by the courts. 
dedication, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective will bring new energy to the show, and we know our audience will love what he brings to the table.” Vulinec joined “92.3 The Fan” in May 2023 as a part-time update anchor and fill-in host. He says, “It’s surreal to me to be starting my career in the place I’ve called home for my entire life. I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to continue to grow alongside the outstanding team at ‘92.3 The Fan’ and the best fanbase in the world. The city of Cleveland and my fellow fans have given so much to me, and now I hope to be able to give some of that back to them.”
It’s not easy to report on the deluge of information (and misinformation on social media) that is shaping our world. Especially in cutting through polarized rhetoric to find the truth. And yet, there has never been a more critical time to arm Americans with the facts and let them make their own decisions. To fulfill this mission, our newsrooms must be able to report without fear or favor. This isn’t just a constitutionally protected right – it is fundamental to serving our communities. And it’s a right we’ve had to defend time and time again since our country’s founding. Efforts to limit the ability of broadcasters to report the facts hinders the public’s right to know and chills free speech. Americans deserve the full and fair reporting that broadcasters provide and NAB strongly defends our members’ First Amendment rights and their vital role in maintaining an informed public. Our democracy relies on journalists’ ability to report the news without the risk of government retribution. In a media environment flooded with social media misinformation and cable news politicization, this role has never been more important.”