See other Editorial Articles
Title: Talk Radio Is Becoming Big Brother's Voice
Source:
Lew Rockwell
URL Source: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig7/hyde1.html
Published: Aug 31, 2006
Author: Bryan Hyde
Post Date: 2006-08-31 09:55:07 by Zoroaster
Keywords: None
Views: 142
Comments: 11
Talk Radio Is Becoming Big Brother's Voice by Bryan Hyde by Bryan Hyde DIGG THIS Some books are considered classics for their ability to provide us with insight into human nature. Recently, while studying George Orwell's 1984, I had the epiphany that talk radio is, in many ways, becoming a modern-day Ministry of Truth. But I'm probably not the only one to notice that what once was a voice for limited government and free speech has taken on a clear authoritarian tone. In Orwell's novel, the Ministry of Truth was tasked with spinning the facts to make them fit the party line, and keeping the public in a mindset of never-ending war. It was Big Brother's chief means of controlling the information available to the people of Oceania. One of its handiest tools was the infamous "two minutes hate" broadcast daily for the purpose of whipping the people's emotions into frenzied hatred for the regime's enemies and critics and into adoration of Big Brother. Dissent was effectively curtailed. Much of national talk radio today serves the same purpose as Big Brother's Ministry of Truth by endlessly spinning coverage of the issues in a light favorable to the chosen party line. Narrowly constructed arguments attempt to define issues with the false choices of liberal vs. conservative, Republican vs. Democrat, etc. Airwaves bristle with constant agitation for war and the demonizing of those who are designated as enemies. Even the "two minutes hate" has its place wherein those who refuse to toe the party line can expect to be labeled, denounced and berated by the ministry's defenders. And, as in Orwell's novel, the audience screams its approval. Talk radio was once a place where disagreement was actually encouraged in contrast to the more sedate National Public Radio programs that consisted primarily of folks sitting around politely agreeing with one another. Disagreement provided the catalyst for wide-ranging discussions. Though the politics of talk radio ran hard to the political right, many listeners found that it tended to stimulate independent thought. If nothing else, it made for compelling exchanges and vigorous dialogue. Throughout the Clinton years, talk radio was a rallying point for the political right while engaging in a boisterous and vigorous resistance to the left. It was highly ideological, but provided a counter to the political left's mainstream media juggernaut. Where the major media was more likely to embrace a collectivist viewpoint, talk radio for the most part still held to traditional beliefs in constitutional government, personal liberty, religious freedom, and strong national defense. But the 9/11 attacks were the watershed moment from which the new voice of talk radio would emerge. With a nominal conservative in the White House, talk radio donned a cloak of nationalism thinly disguised as patriotism and became the unwavering mouthpiece of the administration. The same voices which once decried governmental intrusion under the Clinton administration instead became the prime defenders of exactly such policies by the current administration. Now, as a tool to stifle dissent, talk radio is actually working to limit the debate on issues that profoundly affect all of us. The days in which opinions could be exchanged and the truth could stand on its own merits are fading. Perhaps it's still possible in some circles, but talk radio is increasingly becoming a medium where the polarization is nearly absolute. When we've reached the point where we can no longer talk to one another, we're setting the stage for real conflict such as we've seen in the Balkans and Middle East. Some will certainly counter that talk radio is only giving the audience what it wants. I understand perfectly how the game is played and I've successfully thrown red meat to the crowd to generate ratings and can testify that it does work. But if it's just about the ratings and doing whatever it takes to create them, then let's at least be honest and admit that talk radio now has more in common with Jerry Springer or pro wrestling. Though it's never been perfect, there was a time when talk radio provided an accessible forum in which free speech thrived. Now it loves Big Brother. Given the choice to inspire instead of tear down or to inform instead of propagandize, isn't it obvious where the greater value lies? August 31, 2006 Bryan Hyde [send him mail] has been a talk radio host and program director for the past 12 years. He is a student at George Wythe College in Cedar City, UT.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Zoroaster (#0)
Be really suspicious of any person or group that promotes itself by building a nationwide netword dedicated to pumping out lies and half truths.
.
There will be no Mike Malloy program today - or any day - on Air America Radio as we have been terminated. We are told its a financial decision. We are as shocked as you are, especially since as recently as last Tuesday we were told we had the go-ahead to announce our return to NY airwaves and that our contract was "on the way." … More details to follow as we hear them ourselves. MIKE MALLOY FIRED BY AIR AMERICA RADIO. I understand Malloy was very critical of Israel's attack on Lebanon.
the truth of the matter is, they're losing their audience to alternative radio and media. big time.
Oh My GOD. I LOOOOOOOOOOVE Mike Malloy. Don't agree with him on everything, of course, but I love his bluntness and directness. Air America can go bleep itself for all I care now. I'm going to write and tell them that.
"I woke up in the CRAZY HOUSE."
Someone with more time on their hands than me should make a study comparing the things said on talk radio today with the things said in Germany prior to WWII. I bet the similarities would be striking..
the law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal bread.
Young Turks shameless plug. Click on the link to watch the show over the net if'n you don't have Sirius. 6-9pm EST.
"GM is not a car company, it's a bank that gives free cars to its customers when they take out a loan."--Magorn.
Maybe Sirius will pick him up.
"GM is not a car company, it's a bank that gives free cars to its customers when they take out a loan."--Magorn.
Quit whining and change the station, sport...try listening to Alex Jones. Beats the living hell out of Limbaugh and his ilk.
Er...that was directed to the article's author, not 'Zoroaster'.
After the Oklahoma City federal building was bombed in 1995, President Clinton denounced "the purveyors of hatred and division," referring to extremist radio talk shows. In an April 24, 1995, speech to the American Association of Community Colleges in Minneapolis, he said such talk shows "spread hate. They leave the impression, by their very words, that violence is acceptable. Clinton's pronouncement marked the beginning of the Establishment's assault on Talk Radio. Before the takeover, I was a big fan of talk radio--mainly Chuck Harder on SW and local AN broadcasts. Harder, an echo of his former self, has long since been compromised by the big fellows, and fascist corporations have swallowed up the local stations. Today I no longer listen to talk radio, led by the likes of "Pig-Boy" Limbaugh, the authoritarian types John Dean writes about, all spouting the corporate fascist line of the Establishment.
Life is a tragedy to those who feel, and a comedy to those who think.
Now both MSM and talk radio are just amplifiers for this regime. "If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country." - Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers
#2. To: Zoroaster (#0)
MIKE MALLOY FIRED BY AIR AMERICA RADIO
#3. To: Zoroaster (#0)
Some will certainly counter that talk radio is only giving the audience what it wants.
#4. To: aristeides (#2)
#5. To: Zoroaster (#0)
#6. To: Zoroaster (#0)
#7. To: mehitable (#4)
Air America can go bleep itself for all I care now.
#8. To: Zoroaster (#0)
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#9. To: All, Zoroaster (#8)
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#10. To: christine, bluedogtxn, who knows what evil (#3)
#11. To: Zoroaster (#0)
Throughout the Clinton years, talk radio was a rallying point for the political right while engaging in a boisterous and vigorous resistance to the left. It was highly ideological, but provided a counter to the political left's mainstream media juggernaut.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest