Clifford Durr

As a result of one Alabamian's tireless commitment to the public interest, everyday more than 2,000 noncommercial radio stations and 350 noncommercial television stations broadcast in the United States.

Clifford Durr was born in Montgomery. After graduation from The University of Alabama as a Rhodes Scholar and a short career in private practice, Durr became a rising star in the New Deal as legal counsel for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Safe-guarding the public interest was his paramount concern. Durr brought this concern to the first Federal Communications Commission after President Roosevelt appointed him commissioner in 1941.

Durr became a vigorous advocate of breaking down the control that a few large networks and corporations held over the broadcasting industry. The airwaves belong to the people, he often reminded his fellow commissioners, and he strongly believed broadcasters must serve not only their stockholders but also the public. He insisted on quality and breadth in programming and fought to reserve frequencies for educational and community use. Durr demanded better programming and fewer commercials and endorsed a controversial plan that made broadcast license renewals contingent on demonstrated concern for quality programming.

Durr's struggle for a more democratic broadcasting system operating in the public interest paralleled his fight to preserve civil liberties for all Americans. His battle to win constitutional rights guaranteed under the First Amendment began as a federal employee in Washington and lasted until his death in 1975. His tireless work for a more democratic broadcasting system was an important part of that struggle.

It was also to him that Rosa Parks turned when she refused to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery bus. He was truly freedom's counselor.