Statement from NRHOF

Nominating and Voting Process for Induction

October 16, 2008

The 157 inductees into the National Radio Hall of Fame represent a broad cross-section of individuals and diverse program formats. Nominations to the National Radio Hall of Fame are made by the 27 members of its Steering Committee, which consists of radio executives, academicians, trade journalists and others interested in preserving the rich history of radio and recognizing its role in society. The nomination process follows published criteria and is based solely on the tenure and accomplishments of an individual in the radio industry.

A broadcaster’s political, social or religious views never are considered when deciding to include or exclude a candidate. Likewise, the National Radio Hall of Fame does not endorse or support the views voiced by any nominee or inductee on the air or via any other platform.

After nominations were made on April 16, open online balloting began in May and ran through July 15. Eligible voters include the general public, members of the National Radio Hall of Fame and more than 2,000 radio historians, educators and industry leaders. The voting is supervised and certified by Votenet, a highly respected online vote tabulating firm.

In prior years, voting on the annual nominations was open to the general public only if individuals were members of the Museum of Broadcast Communications (home of the National Radio Hall of Fame), or became new online members by payment of a $15 fee. A change in the voting process for 2008 enabled the general public to vote for nominees online without joining the Museum.

The very nature of radio often creates large numbers of fans devoted to their favorite personalities, and the number of votes cast in 2008 increased significantly. The change in the voting process was not designed to make membership to the broadcasting shrine a mere popularity contest. As is common when any procedures are modified, the National Radio Hall of Fame will re-evaluate the voting and nominating processes for future elections.

Bruce DuMont
Chairman
National Radio Hall of Fame