Editor's Note: Carol Costello’s series on talk radio sparked Monday’s American Morning audience to angrily dispute aspects of today’s segment. Some believed the only people who listen to talk radio are other media. Others suggested that talk radio was so popular because broadcast media slanted left before Fox News became the alternative, and that liberal radio was failing due to lack of demand. Those opposed to conservative talk radio believed “What these people have to say is trash… because they cannot think further than their nose.” Another contingent rebuked the “liberal” label for PBS, calling it a moniker from “talk radio,” and not a true reflection of the network.
- Joshua: You just reported that Rush Limbaugh is the 'king' of talk radio with 15 million listeners. My guess is that 14,999,995 of those listeners are people like you in the media and the other five are his wife and children. Why would anyone spend their time listening to talk shows like his when they can get the Cliff Notes version of what they say from CNN?
- Anita: The vast majority of cable and TV news reporters are liberals. The vast majority of news is presented w/ a liberal slant, editorializing is liberal... liberal viewpoints are thrust down the collective American throat. I don't think some of these reporters realize their reporting is so opinionated-but viewers of other persuasions do. Why did talk radio become so popular w/ conservatives, or moderates, for that matter, who are willing to consider both sides? Because when it began, and hooked listeners, FOX wasn't big news & talk radio was the only alternative. ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, most print media, etc. weren't reporting news objectively. If talk radio is too conservative, take it as a backlash to the lack of objectivity in the media preceding it. If liberals don't like it, they should compete. Let the viewers decide. Conservatives are bullies? That's a little insincere. The only bully on the playground for the past few decades has been the liberal media.
- BT: Re: American Morning Show and comments by Carol Costello re "Talk Radio" wherein she stated that the reason people listen to talk radio is b/c it's entertaining. I can't speak for everyone but I wholeheartedly believe that those people would find her statement insulting. I believe most people (like myself) listen b/c it's the only place other than Fox News that we can get the truth. I don't mean to imply CNN lies – but b/c you don't report the entire picture (both sides) it's the same thing. I used to watch CNN most of the time until the year of the presidential election and lost faith in CNN b/ it was so terribly slanted towards Obama thus you did not report all on both sides. CNN almost never presents both sides and by your omissions, I quit watching. I have learned more about our gov't and politicians and the full picture of what's going on – from Fox news and talk radio than I ever did on CNN and your comments that people listen to talk radio b/c it is entertaining was very offensive and insults my intelligence. Just like the "tea parties" – and your comments that they are just a bunch of rebel rousers, etc. No they are people like myself, who happen not to agree with the current political agenda. We want health care reform but w/o government interference. Thank you for the opportunity to send this.
- Eliot: On the show today you stated that NPR is liberal. What […] is wrong with you? Have you heard it, or were you repeating the talk radio line unchallenged? Randi Rhodes is liberal, fine. Only a fool would think NPR is. Please make an on-air correction. Some people believe this stuff.
- Rick: Thank God I do not have to listen to these narrow minded radio talk show hosts. I do listen to PBS and there I get intellectual and intelligent talk. What these people have to say is trash anyhow because they cannot think further than their nose.
- Joy: With regard to liberal radio- only 9% listen but if people enjoyed it there would be greater demand – people listen to what they like – personally I can't stand the negative talk show-liberal or conservative!
How do you feel about “conservative” radio versus “liberal” radio?