Less than indie

As many Times readers may not be aware that headlines are written not by the reporter of the story below but by deadline-pressed copy editors, Page E14 of Tuesday’s Calendar section provides much-needed enlightenment. [“Anarchy at 103,” by Geoff Boucher, Dec. 28].

Above a story about Steve Jones, ex-Sex Pistol and now a disc jockey on radio station “Indie” 103, a 40-point headline blares, “ ‘Jonesy’s Jukebox’ is not corporate radio.” Deep in the story itself, we are shocked, shocked I tell you, to discover that said “Indie” station is operated not in fact by fun-loving ex-punks like Jones but by mega-media giants Entravision and Clear Channel.

One of these things is not like the other. While Jones and other DJs play some great music on 103.1 FM, the best metaphor I have heard for the station is this: Would you drink cool, clear mountain spring water if it came into your house via the sewer pipe?

Let’s support true independent radio in Los Angeles, not deceptively named chips off the old corporate block.

Chris Johnstone

Venice