Radio Silence: How Progressives Lost the Airwaves

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Thom Hartmann: After Ronald Reagan struck down the Fairness Doctrine and the Equal Time Rule, Republican money men got the memo.

Posted by Corky at 09:30 PM | 34 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

Whichever party controlled the most states would have a big edge in both the Senate (and thus control of the Supreme Court nominations) and the Electoral College, and most of the low- and medium-population states had relatively inexpensive media markets.

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

video version:

The Secret Weapon the GOP Uses To Hypnotize Americans Into Voting For Their Own Destruction

www.youtube.com

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2024-09-25 07:06 PM | Reply

Limbaugh addiction.

#2 | Posted by fresno500 at 2024-09-26 03:45 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

How is anyone unaware of the fact republicans use local radio to spread hate and misinformation?

This is why they sued auto manufacturers to force them to continue installing tuners in cars.

Without AM talk hate radio, the Republican Party loses America.

#3 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-09-26 04:44 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Nobody listens to that ----.

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-09-26 04:54 PM | Reply

Republicans love it.

#5 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-09-26 06:12 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Talk radio took over the AM radio band because most (if not nearly all) of the AM radios were not able to provide the audio bandwidth that some AM stations were given ("clear channels").

Why?

Because it was cheaper to manufacture an AM radio that sounded bad, than it was to manufacture one that had the ability to sound good.

(and, for the record, I have heard quality AM broadcasts. They can sound most excellently.)

But I digress...

So, then AM radio then progressed to a format that did not have to have good sound, but only deliver a message, i.e., speech, not music.

That is when the GOP swooped in.

They apparently saw the opportunity, and took advantage of it.

imo. YMMV.

#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 10:31 PM | Reply

Lol FCC just approved soros purchase, look up the number of stations.

This whole article is propaganda to make you think his purchase is "fair".

#7 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-09-26 10:36 PM | Reply

@#7 .. This whole article is propaganda ...

How so?

Please be specific.

thx.

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 10:41 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Given the proliferation of other platforms and mediums, this is kind of a moot point.

Or should be.

Is there a major progressive presence on any of those platforms? I used to know of 3-4 but am unsure if they still produce content.

#9 | Posted by jpw at 2024-09-26 11:18 PM | Reply

The top 3 podcasts are

1- joe rogan
2-tucker carlson
3- candace owens

yuck.

#10 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-09-26 11:20 PM | Reply

@#9 ... Given the proliferation of other platforms and mediums, this is kind of a moot point. ...

I do not disagree.

So, should the AM radio band be eliminated?

Say goodbye to AM radio: Why carmakers are removing it from new models (2023)
www.binghamtonhomepage.com

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 11:31 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

And what about (OK, there's that "what about" but in this instance I think it may be real) AM stations moving to FM?

610 Sports Kansas City Moving to FM; Will Become 96.5 The Fan
barrettmedia.com

Connecticut AM radio stations move to FM for financial reasons, joining growing trend
www.ctinsider.com

#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 11:34 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

... and if I may add....

A radio station I enjoy every day, I hope it never goes to talk radio.

www.1071thepeak.com

Why?

Because, aside from the great tunes played, the DJs there provide information about the songs and the artists being played.

They know stuff.

#13 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 11:38 PM | Reply

Nobody wants to listen to the lies from the left

#14 | Posted by THEBULL at 2024-09-27 05:07 AM | Reply | Funny: 3

#14 | Posted by THEBULL

You have to be delusional not to acknowledge this. When did hate radio get it's feet? Post fairness doctrine and the Equal Time rule. It didn't exist before. They couldn't bully, talk over and shutdown opposing view points. Once they could and understood they could? The floodgates opened. Rush was the first successful one. AM talk radio as well as the growing trend in recent years to FM Talk radio as AM stations shutdown to a lack of profitability. I walk around our plants and the boneheads are listening to this all day long. And yes virtually all on AM because it penetrates our walls well enough. Days, nights, it doesn't matter they sit there slack jawed drooling listening to their masters.

Hell look at Clear Channel and Sinclair (when you delve into TV). Faux News?

All these organizations started and morphed further and further after their was no longer a fairness doctrine in place. You want to talk about slanted mainstream media it starts with local broadcasters of all types and just expands from there.

Their are idgits on both side but the hate and blatant lies are sooooo overwhelmingly far right.

#15 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-09-27 09:25 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 6

Talk radio came about because a market existed to counter the left wing bias of the mainstream media.

It's why left wing talk radio was never successful. It never had any market demand.

#16 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-09-27 01:23 PM | Reply

" Their are idgits on both side but the hate and blatant lies are sooooo overwhelmingly far right.

#15 | POSTED BY GALAXIEPETE AT 2024-09-27 09:25 AM | FLAG: |"

You see what confirms your own biases.

#17 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-09-27 01:24 PM | Reply

It's why left wing talk radio was never successful. It never had any market demand.

Posted by BellRinger at 2024-09-27 01:23 PM | Reply

It's because generally liberals don't need to be told what or how to think unlike Conservatives. Thats why liberal media doesn't flourish. Generally speaking.

#18 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2024-09-27 01:35 PM | Reply

The huge irony here is where those who tend to lean pretty far right and listen to talk radio/podcasts from right leaning sources is that they are very loyal to these folks (Limbaugh, Hannity, etc...and now Rogan, etc).

They trust these people.

and why? because they don't trust anybody else.

Where there is a huge presence of trust.....it's based on a lack of trust.

But it's all about being told what they want to hear.

Even with the left....when CNN or MSNBC disappoints a leftie.....the leftie just says "oh..----- them, they are ------ in the head anyway"

Which is better than just swallowing what they say whole, I suppose.

#19 | Posted by eberly at 2024-09-27 02:08 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Anger and fear makes for good radio. Just ask Orson Welles.

#20 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-09-27 02:10 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

They trust these people.

and why? because they don't trust anybody else.

#19 | Posted by eberly

And why? Because putin has waged a propaganda war for decades spreading the message that they can't trust anything they read or hear, as fascists always do.

#21 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-09-27 02:49 PM | Reply

Most US military bases have Fox News on their common area TVs 24/7. Incidiously they willingly let the Trojan horse of Russian propoganda masquerading as "news" to brainwash our troops and weaken and divide our country.

#22 | Posted by AlternateFacts at 2024-09-28 12:34 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Thom Hartmann literally has his own radio program. What a dumb article.

#23 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-09-28 04:24 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

"It's because generally liberals don't need to be told what or how to think unlike Conservatives."

Yeah. Independent thinkers, all of them.

#24 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-09-28 04:25 AM | Reply

re: #23

#25 | Posted by hamburglar at 2024-09-28 05:52 AM | Reply

Three ways to make a living in communication/media:

Lie to people to want to be lied to, and you can get rich.

Tell the truth to people who want the truth, and you can make a living.

Tell the truth to people who want to be lied to, and you'll be poor.

~Someone on the internets

#26 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-09-28 01:39 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Sinclair swallowed all independently programmed channels that had popularity and replaced them with redundant sports that no-one locally listens to, or ever wanted to. I suppose a crappy music station requires imagination or at least one poor stoner living in his minivan with wifi to dj.

Thank goodness for The Young Turks, Democracy Now, Secular Talk, The Humanist Report, Rational National, et al.

Radio is as avoidable as television, so..

#27 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2024-09-28 03:38 PM | Reply

"Thank goodness for The Young Turks, Democracy Now, Secular Talk, The Humanist Report, Rational National, et al."

You're just tuning in to the shows that tell you what you want to hear. No different than a conservative who is devoted to OANN or Newsmax.

Why pretend like you're some sort of open-minded objectivist who is trying to figure out where the truth is?

#28 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-09-28 03:52 PM | Reply

"Thank goodness for The Young Turks, Democracy Now, Secular Talk, The Humanist Report, Rational National, et al."
You're just tuning in to the shows that tell you what you want to hear. No different than a conservative who is devoted to OANN or Newsmax.
Why pretend like you're some sort of open-minded objectivist who is trying to figure out where the truth is?
#28 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-09-28 03:52 PM

What is it that you don't want me to hear?

Those are moderated shows, but another half is dedicated news, mainly breaking from all over the world. Unfiltered, I decide who moderates best.

When I watch Newsmax, or MSN, Fox or CNN it's always without bias, but not blindness.

I'm subscribed to The Israeli Guys and Forbes, for instance.

So, if you know better, than whom?

If you say Hugh Hewitt, so help you.:]

#29 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2024-09-28 03:59 PM | Reply

then who?;:]

#30 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2024-09-28 04:01 PM | Reply

"So, if you know better, than whom?"

The Economist is probably the gold standard. BBC. Duetsche Welt. Euro News.

Two years ago, I would have told you Al Jazeera. I still think they are OK with some things, but they have decided to become the propaganda arm for the Islamic Resistance since then.

#31 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-09-28 04:46 PM | Reply

@#16 ... Talk radio came about because a market existed to counter the left wing bias of the mainstream media. ...

... or maybe, just maybe, left-leaning talk radio never became successful because those on the left are quite capable of thinking for themselves?

Stated differently...

From what I have seen, those on the right appear to have a need to listen only to media that tells them what to think and then provides multiple confirmations of those, I'll be kind, views. That looks, to me, to be an inability of those on the right to think for themselves.

#32 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 05:46 PM | Reply

"or maybe, just maybe, left-leaning talk radio never became successful because those on the left are quite capable of thinking for themselves?"

Uh...no Scott. Not at all. Many on the left seem just as willing to spend their lives in an echo chamber as those on the right.

I think it may be something simpler. When I was in college I used to listen to talk radio. I delivered medicine for a pharmacy in Charlotte, NC. If you drive, or farm, or do something that is not in an office, you had a radio to keep you company.

And NPR, while sometimes interesting, was more often than not boring.

#33 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-09-29 04:52 AM | Reply

Who says there ain't no ---- on the radio?

#34 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2024-09-29 05:08 AM | Reply