The State of Talk Radio

[AndrewLawson]

Ron Kuby, Esq., part of the Curtis & Kuby morning show at WABC prior to Imus' return, pens a thought provoking Op-Ed in Newsday regarding talk radio. I'd say he has some valid points.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Good article, very true. I often ask what happened to presenting both sides of an issue and not demonizing the side you don't agree with.

Thanks!

 

[midnight_skulker]

Ron Kuby, Esq., part of the Curtis & Kuby morning show at WABC prior to Imus' return, pens a thought provoking Op-Ed in Newsday regarding talk radio. I'd say he has some valid points.

I enjoyed the article very much. I don't agree with a lot Ron Kuby's political points (as a mod, I'm no ditto-head either), but I gained a lot of respect for him.
He's unfortunately right. The fine art of cordial disagreement is fading fast, not only on the air, but in society in general.

 

[midnight_skulker]

Good article, very true. I often ask what happened to presenting both sides of an issue and not demonizing the side you don't agree with.

Thanks!

More disapponting is when the host demonizes and belittles the opponent AFTER hanging up on them, when there's no chance for the caller to defend themselves.

 

[alw]

I often ask what happened to presenting both sides of an issue and not demonizing the side you don't agree with.

I thought that's what public radio was trying to do!

Oh wait a minute.........I've heard how boring that is.

Oh well.......can't win.

 

[Radknowski]

Good article, very true. I often ask what happened to presenting both sides of an issue and not demonizing the side you don't agree with. Thanks!

More disapponting is when the host demonizes and belittles the opponent AFTER hanging up on them, when there's no chance for the caller to defend themselves.

Ahhh, the Mike Schop (?) technique. "I'm too smart to waste time discussing it with a mere mortal like you..." the sign of a radio talk show host who's insecure... and a coward. BTW, was Chris Parker working solo today? I heard more callers on the air than usual for the brief time I listened... and Parker was actually discussing issues in a coherent manner.

 

[Mark Giardina]

The part of Ron Kuby’s article that stuck out in my mind was his comments about the demise of local talent by many corporate radio operations. I’ve always believed that a radio station, be it in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse should serve the local community.

Al from Buffalo mentioned Public Radio. I happened to like public radio and am an avid listener, but the station I listen to is in Boston. Now do I sound like a hypocrite for first praising local personalities, then listening to a station outside the market where I live? To some perhaps but let me explain.

To me a successful talk format should be a mix of informative communication, both on local and national subjects. WBUR in Boston has both. After Morning Edition ends at 9am the station gives their audience an international perspective by airing the BBC news for an hour. Then WBUR returns to their local talk programming throughout the day, which some local stations in Western NY also carry. On Point is one I can think of.

The only thing missing from my internet streaming is local news and I can catch in my car on my journey from work to home each day. Regarding local news, with the exception of Karen DeWitt’s insightful reports on state government, most of the local news I hear either is a rehash of yesterday’s news, some re-writes out of newspapers, wire service stories, or coverage of some local news conference held earlier in the day. I miss the investigative stuff we (or should I say they) used to do on public radio. Granted many public radio stations don't have the staff they once did and do the best they can with what personnel they have.

Now back to the subject of talk radio. As a listener I don’t want someone to tell me what to think, I want to be able to digest the information, or topic being discussed, and make up my own mind.

 

[Element9]

...Now do I sound like a hypocrite for first praising local personalities, then listening to a station outside the market where I live?

Yes, you do. But anybody who reads this board knows you have an axe to grind with WXXI-AM. Since you've been rather honest about it, it's become part of your board persona. You should be listening to WNED-AM 970 Buffalo, HD2 at 94.5 rather than Boston. Any self respecting Buffalo Bills fan and Western New Yorker would eschew anything "New England."

 

[Mark Giardina]

Anybody who reads this board knows you have an axe to grind with WXXI-AM. Since you've been rather honest about it, it's become part of your board persona. You should be listening to WNED-AM 970 Buffalo, HD2 at 94.5 rather than Boston. Any self respecting Buffalo Bills fan and Western New Yorker would eschew anything "New England."

9-

I have no ax to grind with WXXI, what would make you think that? I left on very good terms.

I've streamed WNED. As for being a Buffalo Bills fan, sorry but you are talking to a Patriots fan, even though I was born in Williamsville.

You take care and Merry Christmas.

Giardina

 

[cee]

He's unfortunately right. The fine art of cordial disagreement is fading fast, not only on the air, but in society in general.

Unforunately, spewing hatred + national audience = huge profits for employer and employee.

In the old days would someone even been allowed to go on the air and say something similiar to the following(except perhaps the ficticious Archie Bunker):

from www.mediamatters.com -
On The O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly noted that Harry Belafonte had endorsed John Edwards and commented: "Oh, I guess that means Edwards has a lock on the Fidel Castro vote." After noting that actors Danny Glover and Tim Robbins also support Edwards, O'Reilly stated: "[W]hy don't you get Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy. ... Look, these people are so kooky."