 | | |
| Shock Jocks: Hate Speech and Talk Radio: America's Ten Worst Hate Talkers and the Progressive Alternatives | 
 enlarge | Authors: Rory O'connor, Aaron Cutler
Publisher: AlterNet Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.63
You Save: $6.32 (42%)
Buy New/Used from $8.63
Avg. Customer Rating:  (3 reviews)
Sales Rank: 233090
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 126
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 0975272438
Dewey Decimal Number: 384.5443
EAN: 9780975272435
ASIN: 0975272438
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The highly politicized and often factually challenged world of talk radio dominates a sizable portion of America?s airwaves. But the dirty secret of talk radio?s success is the use of hate speech masquerading as free speech. In this book, Rory O?Connor tackles the ?hate talk establishment? and shows how huge media conglomerates not only makehate talkpossible but make itenormouslyprofitable. He profiles the country?s ten worst shock jocks, including Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage, and describes how they use the guise of ?not being politically correct? to ratchet up their anti-gay, anti-woman, and overtly racist language. He then shows how their celebrity leads to a climate that not only tolerates but actually perpetuates racist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic attitudes ? making America a coarser, more dangerous place. A survey of the small but growing universe of progressive talk radio offers a respite from the verbal violence.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 In impressive study July 23, 2008
17 out of 25 found this review helpful
I've been trying to figure out the right wing these days. I've been reading a lot about its history, its roots, motives. One of the right's favorite fairy tales is of the "left bias" of the media. So I've been reading up on that and ran across this volume.
I didn't think I'd be that impressed with it. But first and foremost, I credit the authors with HONESTY. And that's something I don't often find on the right. For instance, they admit that Limbaugh--as much as I despise his hate language and utter nonsense--is good at what he does: radio. (Indeed, it reminds me of an argument I've had with some righties who argue that Air America's not doing so well business-wise is an indication of the strength of the left. I've argued that that's nonsense. My politics notwithstanding, I don't listen to Air America much at all. First, I don't listen to commercial radio at all unless I have NO alternative. Second, I don't want to hear, between shows worth listening to, infomercials on liberal cause investing and health food. Third, like my brother said, I don't want to trade a rignt wing rant for a left wing rant--and some of Air America's fair is rather preachy left wing stuff. I'd rather make up my own mind, thank you.)
The book starts with Don Imus. That I thought was a little of a mistake. Imus is clearly a "shock jock" more than a political commentator. But he made the news because of his suspension after a blatantly racist comment. The authors ask legitmate questions, e.g., why was he suspended for as short a time as he was. But the proceed into the Top Ten Shock Jocks and #1 is Rush Limbaugh. So they may have put a little more emphasis on him.
They admit, though, that, like him or not (I don't.), Limbaugh is good at what he does. In fact, in a section on him, they comment that Limbaugh was apparently put off at one point because his guests distracted him from what he's good at. In short, he might have a slight sense of ethics, even if it is completely narcissistic.
The others include o'leilly, Laura Ingragam, Sean Hannity. Most are pretty harmless; the authors conclude that they largely "preach to the choir." (My biggest objection, in spite of their lack of balance, is that most are LIARS, expecially o'leilly.) There are some who are particularly caustic, such as Micheal [Wiener] Savage. In fact, while he may be "good" at what he does, I'm surprised he's still on the air. Not only does he lie to a degree that would make a middle school bully blush, he's more racist and abrasive than Imus ever was!
The book then proceeds to the immigration bill which they contend the right wing shock jocks were instrumental in defeating, then into the Fairness Doctrine, which was eliminated by Reagan. (If you're old enough, and have any background at all in the media, you may remember that the FCC used to require "balance," i.e., you weren't supposed to have a one-sided view at the expense of the others). Interesting that the same right wing shock jocks were lobbying against the fairness doctrine. I can't imagine why...
Interspersed with the test was interviews of various radio "personalities" right and left wing alike. Some denied the rightward shift. Many--like the text--gave the devil his due in asserting that some of the shock jocks are good at what they do. They gave you a lot to think about.
Then there's a whole worthwhile section on alternatives and suggestions as to what to do and who to contact to curb some of the hate language.
There's an important chapter in the book entitled "Air Wars and Conservative Dominance." It reminded me of a statement in a book I reviewed here quite a while ago by Todd Gitlin--I think it was "Media Unlimited." He stated, matter of fact, that radio has a right wing dominance and always will because, in effect, they're much more "us vs. them" oriented, and that sells radio.
Despite the claim of some of those interviewed for the book--Limbaugh and o'leilly and some others declined--that there is NOT a right wing bias, I think it's obvious that there is. Everything about the book, the top ten especially, indicate that. There are things we can do about it, e.g., finding alternatives, challenging some of the rhetoric--which is how Imus got the boot after his racist tirade. I think it's necessary that we keep in perspective the "preaching to the choir" element of talk radio. (I have an aunt who has a radio glued to the local station on which Limbaugh preaches each day, and a father in law who reads o'leilly's books religiously, yet would be freaked if he ever tuned onto o'leilly's radio or television missions! I'm not going to change either of them.)
I think the book is important becuase it describes what "we" are up against in this rhetorical battle. And I've argued for some years that the "Fairness Doctrine" should be reinstated. The authors and those interviewed don't think that's likely. But it puts many elements of talk radio into a PERSPECTIVE, and that's what we all need to consider.
Other related volumes you might want to consider on similar topics are:
Attack Poodles: The Looting of the News in a Time of Terror, by James Wolcott
Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media, by Jeff Cohen
Then tune in or log onto the many alternatives the authors mention in the text.
An Eye-Opening Study July 8, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I grew up in Ohio in a generally-conservative city where the people are not malicious, not purposefully wishing to crush the views of others, but have solid views on taxes, guns, and God. On the radio, Limbaugh is followed by Dr. Laura, is followed by Glenn Beck. You have to pick up Hannity from the next city over. When I listen to these "shock jocks" (ok maybe not Dr. Laura) today, I still think about how they are impacting my home city. I hear the half truths, major logical leaps, and hateful words that come out of El Rushbo's mouth and I'm baffled by the lack of outrage, by the lack of outcry. Sometimes I listen to see how far the man will go.
Thus the need for "Shock Jocks". This book is a handy, compact guide to these offenders and their offenses. It details statements by conservative radio talkers that surprise and inform even me, someone who knows full well what these (mostly) guys are capable of. When I find myself, someone who regularly reads Ann Coulter, surprised by the things that conservative talkers have said, I know this book is timely and a must-read for media critics and those who strive for a healthy democracy.
Most importantly, Shock Jocks highlights the reality that these talkers are distributing loads of news and (mis)information to a very large base of support. We cannot turn away and just say they are evil or that their listeners are sheep. We have to hold them accountable and fight against their missteps. This book will open people's eyes and act as a catalyst for change in the way we view shock jocks and how they spread their message of hate.
 Well researched tome July 3, 2008
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
I learned alot about several of these "Top Ten" shock jocks, reading the individual chapters on names like Rush L, Sean H., Michael S., et. al.
The pro and con statements are quite objective, which means they should be a refreshing change from the kind of agenda jargon you'll hear from these "Shock Jocks".
The "worst offenders" get a good amount of space, and the facts are often compelling. Although, calling these folks "liars" is strange, when you're trying to point out how they don't stay in the gray area very long. In my viewership of O'Reilly, for example, I can't recall one single instance where I thought he was lying - I could see where he jumped to conclusions or exaggerated.
I disagreed with his assessment of Michael Savage. I find him often insensitive and prone to self-serving anecdotes, but he never ceases to amaze me with his dramatic, rabbinical style, very clearly outlining why he feels a certain way. He is perhaps the most patriotic of all the hosts.
The summation of Mark Levin , "The Great One", was actually very humourous. As intelligent and articulate as this man is, there's something strange about his constant reference to the Conservative hosts who, in a sense, set the stage for him.
A less successful study is of Sean Hannity. His obsessiveness is not fully explored...but so many people find it appealing. Gotta sort that one out. The writers say he has a resonant voice...to me it's a high-pitched monotone; maybe when he makes his mid-50s it'll drop an octave: he'll never have the voicebox of a Limbaugh or a Savage. I wish they had delved into the imagined fax basket with the monthly list of quotable quotes to be bludgeoned into our subconscious, even when guys like Tom Kean, straighten out his myopic take on issues like the supposed Sudan offer of Bin Laden on that "silver platter". But no, it just doesn't *feel* right to defer to the 9/11 Commission findings.
A very interesting section is on the Fairness Doctrine. Does Sean or Rush really understand why it became such an important issue? Do they understand that it all comes down to "the screener", who anyone with an IQ over 40 understands is there to support a show which allows the Host to sound all-knowing and in command?
I recall one show where the screener apparently messed up and a very well-informed woman simply asked Rush, "What do you mean 'liberal'?". I couldn't believe his absolute inability at that time to give a solid answer. Wasn't on the menu for the day, I guess. Can't have a customer ask for meatloaf and gravy when it's not on the lunch special menu. Well, maybe some of the gravy got on the thing.
Would have been cool to have at least a footnote mention of prepetual Conservative Talk Show Host Trainee Steve Marlsberg. He's a Middle East expert, is capable of bolting the listener to his/her recliner while he wins debate after debate on the many challenges facing Israel (a presumptive superhip screener doesn't hurt); he's got a strong Sports Journalist background, which he rarely references. Unlike Hannity, he *doesn't* know the weight of the water bucket he hauls for the GOP.
Further, there's no information about how these jocks are possibly the biggest pro-trust concern in the country: TV versions of their radio shows; book versions of the TV versions of their radio shows; in person appearance versions of the book versions of their TV versions......hey, maybe there's a spot for me?
(Yes, the humble cottage industry is now a villa, yacht, and private jet industry - for them only).
I'll have Tonya Reiman on *two* days a week, and I won't make her sit like a statue. Bill...y'hear?
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| | |