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Progressive talk radio in crisis!
Here in Phoenix, Arizona, the 6th largest metro area in the nation, we are suddenly deprived of a progressive talk radio station. The outlet for Air America and Nova-M, originally 1480 AM KPHX, then 1190 AM KNUV, has gone off the air. For a day or two 1190 had dead air, and is now what sounds like Spanish-language talk radio.
Air America's website still lists 1480 as it's Phoenix frequency, though it hasn't been since the first of the year. Both the NOVA-M and the newly created On Second Thought websites are no longer there.
Wikipedia article on Nova-M and On Second Thought
Equal Time Radio- Radio Biz News
Seattle Progressive Radio AM 1090
KTPK AM 1090-LISTEN ONLINE
Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy, Thom Hartman, and others can now be heard here!
Randi Rhodes' statement after leaving Nova M
Randi Rhodes My-Space fan page
Given the growing popularity of the progressive viewpoint in America, and the success of Barack Obama and Democratic Congressional candidates, at least half the people who listen to politically oriented talk radio would prefer to have liberal to listen to. Yet, Clear Channel, Rush Limbaugh's partner, owns more than 1,200 radio stations nationwide. And there are others, none quite as notorious, but all have secure outlets. Why? Money. Democrats and other progressives can raise a lot of money for a campaign, with millions of people making small donations for the cause. But we aren't the ones with lots of money to buy up radio stations or big investors behind media giants like Clear Channel
Since we won the election, is that a problem? It could be. The right wingers have the amplified voice to constantly pick at a Democratic administration with their distorted facts and twisted simplistic logic, spreading disinformation which can fool the less informed and less educated.
Most of the better educated and politically involved can find a wealth of information on the internet. But many people spend many hours a day, whether driving, traveling, or working outdoors or living in remote areas have only radio, and maybe broadcast TV from which to get information and commentary.
The right wing knows this, and not only do they have access to more money, but they have been working for years to solidify their control of the radio talk media. Contributing to that, ironically, was Bill Clinton's approval of the repeal of limits on ownership of broadcast media. He may not have anticipated the result, but someone should have told him.
I will be researching the state of progressive radio in Phoenix and other cities. We need to build and maintain a solid nationwide network with outlets covering both major cities and the open road, the rural areas between cities, everywhere in America, so that everyone has available a voice of truth, and not just the disguised voice of greed lying about both facts and ideas.
--captain rat
