Conservative talk

Conservative Talk Radio (or right talk) is a talk radio format in the United States devoted to expressing conservative viewpoints of issues. The format became widely implemented since the 1987 abolishment of the Fairness Doctrine, and now has become the most widely listened to form of political talk radio, as well as home to syndicated personalities such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Glenn Beck, Mark Levin, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Bill O'Reilly, and Michael Savage.

The Conservative radio movement has often been criticized by progressive groups offering a return of the fairness doctrine.

History

The AM Revival

AM Radio had been considered a dead format Fact|date=October 2008 competing with FM Radio, at a time when television, newspapers, and most media was considered progressively slanted. However in 1987, when the FCC abolished the Fairness Doctrine, AM radio began to make changes. The changes paved the way for syndicated personality Rush Limbaugh to rise to prominence by "offering a voice for the 'silent majority'" that he believed had gone unheard by the mass media (Which he nicknamed the 'Drive Bys'). Helped by a syndication arrangement that was financially appealing to local stations, conservatives like Limbaugh began to take over the airways.Fact|date=October 2008

Right-wing Radio Takes Over

Within the next decade, right-wing talk radio schedules had developed the most listener loyalty (Highest Ratings) and performed particularly well when compared with most mixed or Progressive talk radio. [ [http://www.commondreams.org/views02/1203-08.htm Talking Back To Talk Radio - Fairness, Democracy, and Profits ] ] By 1991, Limbaugh had become the number one most syndicated radio host and AM Radio had been revived. As of 2007, conservative or libertarian talk show hosts have maintained the top 11 spots (more than 11 hosts) in ratings. [ http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34 ] ]

Notes

References

* Hartmann, Thom. " [http://www.commondreams.org/views02/1203-08.htm Talking back to talk radio: fairness, democracy, and profits] "