Exhibit 99.3

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certifies,  in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted  pursuant  to  Section  906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002,  in his
capacity as an officer of Emmis Operating Company (the "Company"),  that, to his
knowledge:

(1)      the  Quarterly  Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended
         August 31, 2002,  fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
         or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  the information  contained in such report fairly presents,  in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:  October 14, 2002


                                            /s/ JEFFREY H. SMULYAN
                                            Jeffrey H. Smulyan
                                            Chairman of the Board, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer