Your answer is too simplistic, but there is some truth to what you say.
Re: Limbaugh's success. I agree. Right-wing AM hate radio took off in the late '80s when the FCC dropped the Fairness Doctrine. Media (radio) giants like Clear Channel over the past decade have realized the best way to attract an audience (and ensure ratings-based profitability) is to bash not only liberal viewpoints, but also minorities, women, pacifists, etc.
The reason there are so many right-wing bashers on radio is that is what sells the soap.
Re: Radio is a two-way medium that makes it easy to rebut "ignorant" liberal viewpoints. Once again, your ultra-right-wing arrogance is showing. Lest we forget, the goal is no longer to present both sides of an issue, but only that one side that is favored by listeners.
Re: "Country predominately conservative in its views": Uh, Mike, the other guy got more votes on Nov. 8. You need to qualify your statement as follows: "Listeners of AM radio predominately conservative."
Read Marshall McLuhan: hot media, cold media, etc. There's a reason that talk radio is dominated by ultra-right-wingers.
Also heard an interesting observation the other day: Radio has gotten more conservative since the advent of cellphones. Used to be the people who called into AM radio talk shows during the morning were mostly stay-at-home females. Now it's mostly salesman types who listen in their cars and call in on their mobile phones. |
