If you're looking for a break from those conservative voices that dominate talk radio, take time out today to listen to local station OBAMA 1260 AM. You'll hear the progressive voices of Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, Lionel -- or, during morning drive, my own "Bill Press Show" -- providing welcome relief from the constant Obama-bashing by Rush Limbaugh and others. Unfortunately, today's the last day you'll be able to do so.The author of the above-cited article (Bill Press, mentioned in the above citation) whines as follows at the end of the article:
As reported by The Post [Style, Feb. 2], Dan Snyder's Red Zebra Broadcasting Co., owner of OBAMA 1260, has announced plans to jettison all progressive talk and replace it with pre-recorded financial advice programming....
There is no free market in talk radio today, only an exclusive, tightly held, conservative media conspiracy. The few holders of broadcast licenses have made it clear they will not, on their own, serve the general public. Maybe it's time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine -- and bring competition back to talk radio in Washington and elsewhere.Liberal talk radio is a failure because THE PEOPLE don't want to hear the swill.
The only way to keep the left on the air waves is via the Fairness Doctrine.
How pathetic is THAT?
My opinion is that it was killed by naming it after Obama. Note that 570 was named for McCain up until the election also. When the election was decided they renamed 570 to Freedom and left Obama on 1260, 570's audience increased and 1260's dropped. I think they should have never changed the name from Progressive Talk 1260 in the first place as it is stupid to tie a brand so closely to an individual, especially a political brand that encompasses many independent minded persons to a single politician who happens to be in power.
ReplyDeleteI agree that that was a really stupid move, and I happen to be a liberal who is a big fan of Stephanie Miller. Before the election, it was sort of a cute gimmick having the conservative and liberal stations named after their respective candidates. But once Obama was elected, to continue to have a radio station named afer the president just seems fascist. Completely inappropriate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about this. I've been wondering about it myself ever since I tuned in the other day to hear one of those cheesy fake "radio show" infomercials.
ReplyDeleteI agree that keeping the "Obama 1260" name after the election was pretty tacky and admit that it did turn me off a bit. But that's no excuse to can the station all together. Not that it was ever well managed to begin with. But I'll miss Bill Press in the morning >_<