Talk Radio

the public consciousness. Talk radio is many things: a radio

programming format; a means of mass electronic communication; a

business; a type of entertainment or "edutainment;" and a vehicle

and a forum for the expression of cultural and political

anxieties and conflicts. Morris (1991) says that "the only real

generalization you can tag on talk radio is its variety" (p. 37).

This article summarizes and analyzes some its most salient

aspects its origins and growth, its political and cultural

impact, the sources of its appeal and its implications. The

proliferation of talk radio mirrors various societal trends,

especially the discordant temper of our times. Its excesses are

rooted in the deep sense of alienation and frustration felt by

certain sectors of the vox populi in America.

Origins and Development Talk radio had its genesis as a distinctive genre of

of broadcasting in 1960 when radio station KABC in Los Angeles

decided to gamble with an alltalk format. For nearly three

decades, it led a precarious existence, which reflected the

difficulties faced by radio networks and stations after the

advent of commercial television. Preempted from primetime by the

automated equipment and nationally syndicated program services

of the major television networks, radio was threatened with

extinction. It survived by living off the reco

. . .
Because it originated and still has a major presence at the grassroots level, talk radio has been well positioned to exploit the "new mood of angry frustration that many Americans feel about their government and their country" (Arts and Entertainment Network). Sifry and Cooper said: "America is lonely. And angry. Talkradio fills a political void" (p. 1). Talkradio has become associated in the public mind with modern 5 day conservatism. The 1993 Times Mirror study showed that the majority of listeners lean to the right and that callersin, who are only one percent of all listeners, tend to be even more rightwing. Listeners are two to one Republican, primarily live in the suburbs, are predominantly white and middle class and are overwhelmingly men in the 18 to 54 age range. (PV, 1993, p. 83). Talk radio and Limbaugh in particular have a devoted following among young male adults. Jack Anderson noted that "talkradio has always been conservative country" (1994, p. C 7). National Public Radio, which is oriented toward the status quo, has its its o
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2641
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)

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