Summary of "On the Media" Podcast Episode 3 - The Divided Dial

Podcast Information:

• Title: On the Media
• Host/Author: WNYC Studios
• Description: The Peabody Award-winning On the Media podcast explores the intricacies of media production, scrutinizes media coverage, and uncovers hidden political narratives. Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger, the show delves into threats to free speech and government transparency.
• Episode: Episode 3 - The Divided Dial
• Release Date: May 8, 2023

I. Introduction: The Demise of WXUR and the Birth of a Martyr

The episode opens with Katie Thornton recounting a pivotal moment in radio history. On July 4, 1973, in Philadelphia, a fundamentalist preacher named Karl MacIntyre symbolically ends his radio station, WXUR, by placing a replica antenna into a coffin adorned with the words "Freedom of Speech" (00:25). Nicole Hemmer elaborates on MacIntyre's struggles, stating:

“WXUR died tonight. There's one issue. Freedom of speech, free exercise of religion. My religious and liberal opponents were successful in securing the aid of the federal government to silence a voice of a religious minority.” (01:01)

Karl MacIntyre's broadcasts were notorious for their anti-civil rights and anti-Semitic content. His lack of ideological balance led to the FCC denying the renewal of WXUR's license, transforming him into a martyr for conservative broadcasters. This incident later served as a reference point for claims of liberal media bias during Senate hearings, as noted by Thornton (02:14).

II. The Early Days of Radio and Political Influence

Nicole Hemmer provides historical context by delving into the 1930s, highlighting how President Franklin D. Roosevelt utilized radio to communicate during the Great Depression. Roosevelt's "fireside chats" were pivotal in reassuring Americans and stabilizing the banking system:

“I can assure you, my friends, that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than it is to keep it under the mattress.” (04:08)

Terry Heaton describes radio as the "cafe culture of the 1930s," a hub for political debates and discussions during a time of national panic and uncertainty (04:52).

III. The FCC and the Fairness Doctrine

As radio grew, so did its influence, prompting concerns similar to those in Europe, where radio was used for propaganda. By 1941, the FCC responded by enforcing the Mayflower Doctrine, which prohibited broadcasters from using the airwaves for racial or religious persecution (08:16). This move was part of the broader Fairness Doctrine introduced in 1949, requiring stations to present multiple perspectives on controversial issues and to provide airtime for counterarguments when necessary.

Mark Lloyd, a former FCC associate general counsel, explains the Doctrine's role in ensuring diverse viewpoints:

“If you are a Christian and you write in favor of the Christian point of view, then you are considered a right wing and you can't work any longer in a, quote, objective news orientation.” (30:33)

IV. Civil Rights Movement and Media Representation

The civil rights movement significantly impacted media regulation and representation. The episode details the struggles faced by African American broadcasters in predominantly white-owned stations, which often catered to white audiences and advertisers. The landmark case involving WLBT in Jackson, Mississippi, is highlighted:

Joseph Torres, co-author of News for All: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media, discusses the suppression of civil rights coverage:

“The general manager of the station was a member of the white Citizens Council and he was a, you know, staunch segregationist.” (20:09)

The United Church of Christ, alongside the NAACP, successfully sued the FCC, leading to a significant legal precedent where public members could challenge broadcast licenses based on perceived failures to serve public interest (21:10).

V. The Rise of Christian Broadcasting

Following the enforcement of the Fairness Doctrine, conservative voices began seeking alternative platforms. Pat Robertson emerged as a pivotal figure in this transition. Launching the 700 Club in 1966, Robertson transformed it into a national televangelist show by 1974, blending religious content with conservative politics. His approach not only provided a platform for Christian broadcasting but also established a blueprint for future conservative media empires.

“We sold it as news from a biblical worldview, but it was funny how that biblical worldview seemed to line up with Republican party politics.” (30:33)

Robertson’s network model emphasized owning both production and distribution channels, ensuring that conservative messages were effectively disseminated without governmental or liberal media interference.

VI. From Diversity to Dominance: Shifting Media Landscapes

By the early 1980s, Christian radio had burgeoned, with one out of every seven radio stations in the U.S. identifying as Christian. Despite early constraints, the religious right successfully carved out a significant presence in the media landscape, challenging the previously dominant liberal narratives. However, Thornton notes that this dominance set the stage for future conflicts over media representation and bias.

Nicole Hemmer reflects on the continuity of conservative media narratives:

“This boogeyman of liberal media bias has been animating conservative movements and conservative radio for nearly nine decades.” (03:26)

VII. Conclusion: The Path to Right-Wing Media Dominance

The episode concludes by tracing how regulatory changes, legal battles, and strategic media ownership paved the way for the right-wing dominance in talk radio today. The transformation from a diverse media environment to one dominated by a single political spectrum was influenced by both governmental policies and the proactive strategies of conservative media pioneers.

Overall, "The Divided Dial" offers an in-depth exploration of the historical forces that shaped American radio, highlighting the interplay between regulation, civil rights, and political ideology in the evolution of media landscapes.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicole Hemmer (01:01):

  "WXUR died tonight. There's one issue. Freedom of speech, free exercise of religion. My religious and liberal opponents were successful in securing the aid of the federal government to silence a voice of a religious minority."

• Katie Thornton (04:08):

  “I can assure you, my friends, that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than it is to keep it under the mattress.”

• Nicole Hemmer (07:15):

  “Students of history recognize that Nazism is only a defense mechanism against communism, and especially that persecution of the Christian always begets persecution of the Jew.”

• Pat Robertson (31:10):

  "That's kind of what we did at the 700 Club. Like there's a spectrum, a straight line. And on this line we put all of the media companies, all of the NBC, CBS, everybody on that line. We argued that these all represent a liberal point of view."

• Mark Lloyd (22:56):

  “The first demand is that we have effective civil rights legislation. No compromise, no filibuster.”

This comprehensive summary captures the essence and critical discussions of the episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the historical and political dynamics that have shaped modern American talk radio.