Censorship

[The Big Al]

I'm talking about what's been buzzing on the right wing talk shows lately. The whole story that Boxer and Clinton are conspiring to cut them off the air or some crap like that.

Of course is an attempt to divert attention from the latest studies showing that right wing talkers outnumber the progressives 10 to 1 when it comes hours on the radio.

Last time I checked conservitives didn't out number lefties 10 to 1. So why do they get that ration of talk radio? Two words. Corporate censorship.

The corporate leaders aren't stupid (unless you're referring to the bastards running the American auto industry because slugs could do their jobs better). They know what they want. They want lower taxes, lower labor costs, and less regulation. They want Republicans. And because they own the media they can decided who can use the airwaves or not.

So they bring in conservitive talking heads and shut the liberals out. I think liberal talk has about 100 radio stations all working through Air America.

And then comes the money. It takes money to run talk radio. I know the righties celebrated when Air America filed chapter 11. Of course they ignore the fact it took six years for Fox to get into the black. Add to the fact many major companies blacklist progressive radio stations for the reasons I mentioned above.

But the problem is the product is lopsided compared to the market. And finally it's being exposed.

So now we've classic right wing tactic of accusing your enemies of your sins. Now they claim the Dems are going to censor them. Unfortunately for them it's a lie. I've heard the story told by the senator from Oaklahoma (I forget the name at the moment) three times and heard three different versions. He's lying out his ass.

Anyway, the point of this thread beyond letting me type off some steam is to discuss censorship of the media whether by the government or corporations. This isn't even limited to America.

 

[evkl]

Liberals dislike talk radio because liberals don't like someone telling them what to think. From either side of the aisle. Most conservatives prefer it being told to them--at least judging from the callers on Hannity, Limbaugh, or anybody else in that genre.

Liberal talk radio won't ever happen functionally, because liberals just won't listen to someone badgering and preaching to them (as a whole).

The concept of the fairness doctrine is to espouse both points of view at some point, not mandate equal talk time for "liberals."

 

[The Big Al]

I'm not for the fairness doctrine myself. However, considering the liberals are overtaking the conservitives in the markets they are in it's not the market.

And liberal talk is very different from conservitive talk. Number 1, liberal talkers are much graceous to the conservitive callers than the conservitive talkers are to the liberal callers. Number 2 liberal talkers don't like telling people what to think as much as liberals don't like being told what to think. It's more of a forum for the issues where I here everyone.

And another thing, libera talkers seem to have more fun that Hannity and Limbaugh screaming at the microphone.

 

[evkl]

Liberal talkers are overtaking conservatives on the talk radio market?

That's news to me...

Olbermann's ratings are up, but that's all I know of in that category, and TV =/= talk radio.

 

[The Big Al]

It's on a market by market basis. Where there is progressive talk it's been overtaking the conservitive counterparts. Conservitives still own the overall market however because they have far more stations.

 

[Mozz]

lol

 

[Mario123v2]

You know why there's so many conservatives compared to liberals/progressives on the radio airwaves? It all has to do with profit. Rush Limbaugh is aired all over the place because he combines the conservative views that a lot of the listeners like with genuine talent and entertainment. This is big with the radio station managers; they want profit and Limbaugh delivers. It's apparent that there's just nothing quite like Limbaugh (or, heck, even Hannity; Hannity doesn't strike me as entertaining nearly like Limbaugh does, though) on the left side of things; if so, then there'd be a much less noticeable imbalance or even none at all, because you're right: 90% of America is not conservative. I seem to remember an organized attempt by the left to get a liberalized Limbaugh counterweight on the radio, but that apparently flopped because the candidates in question couldn't pull it off, or some such.

Now, this censorship business is definitely something to take with a grain of salt; sure, you have shock jocks leaving the business for various reasons (like a certain Don Imus character), but the "fall of conservative radio" is neither imminent nor a feasible endeavor at this point.

 

[The Big Al]

Air America has been flagging since its conception but they've had to fight things I doubt fox ever did (like christian groups buying out their stations forcing them to start from scratch).

Though some stand alones (like Ed Schultz) have been gaining ground. He's the one who's been over taking Fox the most. So it's not that the market doesn't want progressive talkers. Even Air America is doing better after Chapter 11.

However, the talkers and the consumers aren't the ones who determine what's on the radio. It's the people who own the stations. The Philadelphia market has been brought up as a prime example. It's one of the most liberal cities out there and yet all the political talk is conservitive. Why? Because the people who own the radio stations don't want progressive talkers.

But it's their radio stations and they can do with them as they please. However this pot calling the kettle black is insulting. As soon they're exposed the righties go on the attack to change the subject becuase they know they can't justify the status quo for those who ask.

 

[The Dude]

Is because all good liberals are busy getting their daily dose of NPR.
Myself included.
Air America annoys me, for some reason. Conservatives can keep their stupid talk radio. NPR tells the truth without upsetting stomachs. Durn like upsetting my stomach with news of government corruption and corporate conspiracies.
Plus, I heard Air America's full of 9/11 conspiracy theorists, which immediately diminishes their credibility.

 

[The Big Al]

Actually, NPR listeners are split pretty much evenly between liberals and conservitives. But that's a good thing and it means they're doing their job. They aren't meant to be political opinion radio. Though it's mostly culture, especially on the weekends.

Air America may upset stomachs but I think it's about time someone upset everyone's stomach. The true should hurt and opinions of the truth should hurt even more. Otherwise people just pass it by.

 

[exdeath64]

here, here! we cant have the fairness doctrine again! all those shows with political clones duking it out will go off the air! FOX news would cease to exist, and lord only knows what this would do to radio. 1st amendment rules!

 

[The Big Al]

If FOX News dissappeared Darwin would be a happy man.

Though what if the situation was reversed. What if the liberals dominated the air waves? Would you say the same thing? I doubt it considering what I've seen of you says you're a right wing hack.

I'm not for the fairness doctrine either. However, I think this lopsideness in political top is artificial and generated by those who own the radio stations. Personally, I think we need to do to radio what we did to the phone comapnies and break them up into smaller companies. That would likely even things up more.

 

[exdeath64]

I'm a republican, and i am not a hack! i just belive in the first amendment.

 

[The Big Al]

I'm a republican, and i am not a hack! i just belive in the first amendment.

Who doesn't. But I've seen your other posts in other threads. You are either a right wing hack or a fool who swallowed the big lie whole.

 

[the gadfly]

However, the talkers and the consumers aren't the ones who determine what's on the radio. It's the people who own the stations. The Philadelphia market has been brought up as a prime example. It's one of the most liberal cities out there and yet all the political talk is conservitive. Why? Because the people who own the radio stations don't want progressive talkers.

WRONG!

The radio station owners are concerned about one thing: Making profits. Let's not forget running a radio station is a business. Staying on the air requires getting enough advertising revenues to pay for the expenses. Earning more revenues than expenses is the desired goal.

Why do radio stations air Limbaugh and the rest? Because there is a guaranteed audience that allows the stations to sell advertising minutes. It's purely a business decision. Say what you will about the people listening to foaming-at-the-mouth conservative radio shows, at least they do listen regularly and are exposed to advertising.

We liberals are too busy trying to save the world to listen to radio.

 

[Nekusagi]

I think I read similar sentiments in a Bill O'Reilly book my neocon brother forced me to read (actually, he's got a pretty good writing style). Something about how liberal talk radio can't generate enough controversy to work.

Or something. I don't tend to remember what I read in those things, and I only read it to shut the moron brother up.