The Structural Imbalance of Political Talk Radio

Publication Date: June 2007

Publisher: Free Press (Organization); Center for American Progress

Author(s): S. Derek Turner; Mark Lloyd

Research Area: Media, telecommunications, and information

Keywords: Talk Radio; Media Consolidation; Radio; Political Talk Radio

Type: Report

Abstract:

This report documents in detail the fact that conservative talk radio undeniably dominates the Radio broadcast format. Our conclusion is that the gap between conservative and progressive talk radio is the result of multiple structural problems in the U.S. regulatory system, particularly the complete breakdown of the public trustee concept of broadcast, the elimination of clear public interest requirements for broadcasting, and the relaxation of ownership rules including the requirement of local participation in management.