Conservative talk radio

Conservative talk radio in the United States is a phenomenon that got its start in the 1980s when the Fairness Doctrine was allowed to expire under President Reagan.

This allowed broadcasters to present a political opinion or point of view or pundit without being required to allow equal time for alternative views or rebuttal.

At the same time, AM radio was languishing in the shadow of the higher quality sound of FM, with no remarkable content to attract listeners.

Into this perfect storm of opportunity rode Rush Limbaugh, with his brand of outlandish self-depreciation and mockery and conservative positions. He has since been followed by many other more or less successful pundits; likewise the millions of listeners Limbaugh attracted to Talk Radio led to the creation of the Fox Radio Network. Liberal talk radio has been rather less successful.

Challenges to free speech

Bernard Goldberg argues in A Slobbering Love Affair that Obama's election makes it more likely conservative talk radio will be stifled by a new "Fairness Doctrine" that has nothing to do with fairness at all.

Personalities

Neil Boortz

Neil Boortz is a self-styled libertarian based out of Atlanta, GA.

Sean Hannity

(main article, see Sean Hannity)

Rush Limbaugh

(main article, see Rush Limbaugh)

Bill O'Reilly

(main article, see Bill O'Reilly)

Michael Savage

Michael Savage, birth name "Michael Weiner", pronounced wuy-ner, born in 1942 is an independent, mostly non partisan conservative talk show host who is now best known for being banned from entering the United Kingdom in May 2009 over debunked accusations of hate speech and "inciting racial hatred", all of which are proven to be false.

Conservative talk radio outside the United States

After retiring from the leadership of the United Kingdom Independence Party, conservative and strong opponent of the left-wing European Union Nigel Farage became a conservative talk radio host.

Syndicators

Talk Radio Network

See also

• Liberal censorship