Obama, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News: A Look at Media in 2009

[Peacetrain]

Interesting article from Common Dreams. The hell hounds of talk radio, are the "8 tracks" of media in the 21st century. The have been single handedly one of the most destructive forces in our political arena. And I would say, Karma is headed their way.





by Josh Silver

Ask just about any public interest advocate concerned about the dismal state of media and journalism, and they will tell you that Obama's media policy platform is excellent: the beginning of what could be the most public interest friendly administration in presidential history. Part of this optimism stems from Obama's understanding that Internet and technology are the cornerstone of a 21st century economy and society. Another part comes from the competence and integrity of the media and telecom advisors working on his transition team. And another comes from his direct experience.

Obama-the-candidate commented several times that voters' false views of him -- that he's a Muslim, a socialist and unpatriotic -- were fed and spread by Fox News and their cohorts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham in the far-right media. Obama understands that they are the special sauce in Karl Rove's toxic recipe to discredit progressive policies and politicians, and divide Americans with wedge issues.

And Obama understands that pushing back against guys like Limbaugh - who this week blamed the president-elect for the financial crisis, calling it "Obama's recession" - requires a bold policy agenda that uses the Internet to pry media distribution monopolies away from the largest media companies. Though often underreported, Obama spoke frequently about his commitment to blocking further media consolidation, fostering more independent and diverse media, ensuring universal high-speed Internet access, and "taking a back seat to no one" in passing "Net Neutrality" laws to prevent Internet providers like Comcast and AT&T from creating fast and slow lanes on the Internet. (click here for a look at Obama's important media reform pledges during his campaign).





http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/11/13-6

[FormerDittoHead]

1. I wish more people would realize the danger they represent. (fairness doctrine)

Businesses pay for advertising because it changes people's MINDS.

People who talk about how these talk radio guys don't have an effect don't understand how much their presence shape the conversation, and they don't shape it in some kind of haphazard way...

"Balance" is not the key, because as long as there is no fairness doctrine, large swathes of our society are going to be continually fed this propaganda.

In the old days, political talk radio existed but was 'libertarian', which I have no problem with if you call the bad guys out.

I know at this time we're riding high and mighty, but I personally know the effects of listening to this media. We have to remember in this time when we're counting Senators one by one, that the election wasn't a "blow out" especially considering WHAT that many others were willing to vote for...

[Uncle Joe]

2. I agree with you, balance isn't the key because.

They pull so strongly to the right that even when they lose, the government at best moves to center right from rabid right.

Rush Limbaugh receives 100 million signing bonus because he's rabid right and that's all his corporate masters care about.

[Winterblues]

3. I hope he pushes Limbaugh right off Armed Forces Radio

I see no possible reason for our military to be indoctrinated with politics. The military should never be politicized no matter which side is doing it..

[Peacetrain]

4. Just the thought of that windbag spewing his hate on AFR makes

my blood boil.. literally.. Can you imagine being in that theater.. and especially at the beginning with their unprotected humvees being blown to smithereens.. and this idiot gets on and yaks about how half the nation hates you.. that is how they refer to us, as military haters..

Its a lie, and the fact that he got to sit there and lie like that, oh my GOD, there has got to be some kind of balance,, and then this is what gets my goat..they(the right haters) try and compare NPR to Limbaugh, that somehow they equate.