McCain introduces talk radio legislation

[Cornflake the Destroyer]

Arizona Sen. John McCain has introduced federal legislation to protect talk radio shows from the reinstatement of [Fairness Doctrine] that required dissenting voices be given equal time on their shows.



http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/06/25/daily54.html

 

[Cincyradiokid82]

alright McCain! The fairness doctrine is ridiculous, and is also a threat to free speech. Why should there be a liberal or a conservative talk station in a market where the demand is low but is supposed to come on only because it follows the fairness doctrine. Let the consumes of the radio markets decide what type of talk radio comes on air.

 

[Gnarlodious]

The Fairness Doctrine is a threat to giant media corporations. The electromagnetic spectrum is owned by the American people, now it's time to give it back to them!

 

[robbbc]

alright McCain! The fairness doctrine is ridiculous, and is also a threat to free speech. Why should there be a liberal or a conservative talk station in a market where the demand is low but is supposed to come on only because it follows the fairness doctrine. Let the consumes of the radio markets decide what type of talk radio comes on air.

When you say consumers I suppose you mean station group owners in Texas and New York and corporations that subsidize them. Since when have the consumers decided what is on radio? Never.

I am sure everyone is shaking in their boots over the fairness doctrine, since it really isn't coming back no matter how much the republicans want it to- something to rail against. My understanding is that McCain does support more LPFMs and I wonder were he is on ownership caps? This article is real thin on details I'll do some looking around to see if we can find more substance. Just in case anyone wonders I do not support the return of the FD.

 

[SirRoxalot]

$$$$$

Station owners care a LOT more about $$$$ than they do about politics. If liberal talk was doing anywhere near the kind of business that conservative talk does in the marketplace, Rush would be replaced by Randi in a NY minute.

Consumers vote with their rating books. THEY determine what succeeds, and what doesn't. Of course, you're a hero if you can get 10% of the listening audience to tune into your show. That means that 90% of the world that's listening can disagree with you vehemently, but you'll still be bring in the $$$.

 

[robbbc]

Re: $$$$$

Station owners care a LOT more about $$$$ than they do about politics. If liberal talk was doing anywhere near the kind of business that conservative talk does in the marketplace, Rush would be replaced by Randi in a NY minute.

Consumers vote with their rating books. THEY determine what succeeds, and what doesn't. Of course, you're a hero if you can get 10% of the listening audience to tune into your show. That means that 90% of the world that's listening can disagree with you vehemently, but you'll still be bring in the $$$.

The ratings books? O come on! I am going to the bank with my arbitron ratings book to make a deposit! Face it, it's not just ratings (which show NPR and All News stations as super popular). It's cost of product, whether you own the product, clearances, the mother ship (CC et al.), potential profitability, personal preference of broadcasters, what they can sell to advertisers, the list goes on and on. Ratings is a component (and I mean the real ratings, money demos etc.) but look at a major market like Boston. Not too long ago I looked at all the stations and found at least half a dozen that didn't even show up in the arbs (12+) and they had good signals and seemed to be profitable. Obviously, the consumer isn't getting much in the way of his arbitron ratings book as these stations aren't justifying their existence by listenership. As long as someone is willing to pay the piper the ratings book isn't worth a penny. Just ask the folks at WBIX.