According to Arbitron: "47 million listeners each week via 1,503 stations, News/Talk/Information (N/T/I) has a bigger audience at any time of day and more outlets than any format except Country."*
Who listens? Arbitron says 43.5% are college graduates, 62.8% make over $50,000-a-year, and 90.1% of the listeners are other than Black or Hispanic.* That's just a quick snapshot.
With the repeal of "The Fairness Doctrine" in 1987 by the Federal Communications Commission, the format was freed up to present political opinions without having to offer equal responses from opposing political voices.
So, what is Talk Radio's role in moving political agendas & winning elections?
Current Status
Today, the Talk Radio landscape is dominated by more conservative than liberal (or progressive) hosts and shows. Part of this must be attributed to the success of Rush Limbaugh, whose syndicated program came on the national scene in 1988 and continues to be carried on hundreds of affiliates. According to Talker's Magazine, Limbaugh is "...the most listened-to issues talk host in the business."
Talker's Magazine offers a list of the "100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America" which includes a top five rounded out by: Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Dr. Laura Schlessinger (all conservatives) and Ed Schultz (a liberal). Aside from "Opie & Anthony", the first 10 on the list also includes: Laura Ingraham, Mike Gallagher, Neal Boortz, and Glenn Beck. Again, all favor a conservative point-of view.
As anecdotal evidence to Talk Radio's effect on listeners Wikipedia says, "When the GOP won control of Congress in 1994, one of the first acts by many freshmen (calling themselves the 'Dittohead Caucus') was to award Limbaugh the title of "honorary member of Congress" in recognition of his support of their efforts during this period."
Aside from Limbaugh, many other Conservative-oriented talk hosts have continued to offer their views and have found success on Talk Radio. Although Liberal talk show hosts have been involved in Talk Radio for some time, it wasn't until March of 2004 when Air America Radio was launched - hoping to put Progressive views on equal footing with Conservative ones.
Air America Radio was launched during a national election year and although the network officially denied it was put on-the-air in part to help defeat incumbent George W. Bush, there are some who believe the contrary.
What's all the Fuss About?
There is concern from liberals that since the "Fairness Doctrine" was eliminated by the F.C.C. in 1987, conservatives and right-wingers have had an unfair advantage in promoting their views on radio and TV.
The "Fairness Doctrine" had beginnings in 1949 but only became part of F.C.C. policy in 1969. But, instead of insuring a fair and balanced presentation of political opinions on public airwaves, in 1984 the Supreme Court found it was having a "chilling" effect on public debate and by 1987, the "Fairness Doctrine" was abolished by the F.C.C.
In just the past few years, some liberals and Democrats have pushed again for a return of "The Fairness Doctrine" to the public airwaves. During 2007, a short-lived spurt of discussion permeated public discussion over this matter but the idea of any new legislation or regulation involving the concept was soon quashed by outspoken critics of the doctrine.
Some might argue that conservative Talk Radio took the wind out of legislating a new version of "The Fairness Doctrine" - which might lend credence to the belief that Talk Radio is indeed powerful enough to direct political agendas.
