--- republicon radio
that's made the big difference the last 25 years but there is NO organized opposition to it by the left's many organizations nor the democratic party- probably the biggest political mistake in history considering their successful use of it to delay action on global warming.
here are some things democracy loving americans can do to legally dismantle the republican radio monopoly and open more stations for liberals:
1) Get our schools out of Republican radio.
They help a significant number of stations. More than 28% of stations carrying Rush Limbaugh (170+) depend on publicly funded schools (70+ major universities and colleges). The percentage might be similar for all Republican radio.
If a few schools started honoring their mission statements and committed to finding apolitical alternatives to broadcast their sports, others will follow. This may be the most effective action with the most effect. Stations would have to change their formats or offer balance to maintain those important relationships.
2) Expand the Limbaugh advertiser education actions/boycotts (StopRush) to all Republican radio stations and their advertisers.
3) Include radio stations in protests/picketing. Almost every progressive or Democratic Party issue worthy of protesting can appropriately be protested at an appropriately located Republican radio station. Those stations are Tea Party headquarters and the most important messaging assets the Republican think tanks have. Such protests would be unique and may be more media worthy than the same protests at state capitols, with fewer people. They could link the issue with the failures of corporate media at the same time.
4) Monitor Republican radio and make its propaganda readable and searchable. The secret of its success is that the people and issues it lies about and attacks are unaware of the damage until the lies have been established. It is practically invisible to those it harms the most.
A software combination that would automate recording and transcribing (with SNOWTAPE and DRAGON DICTATE) the main talkers in a state, like Wisconsin, and make it available for searching every few days or sooner near elections, could be valuable. this is something the democratic party could organize for every state or most county headquarters, but it also relates to all liberal activism attacked on radio. by knowing what is being sold it makes it much easier to convince democratic senators that those constituencies (eg pro KXL, anti immigration) in their states they worry about are not legitimate and they won't be as slavish to their pollsters, etc.
5) use 4 to reference talk radio and limbaugh and sons more often. its better since stoprush. MSNBC seems to reference them, but most is relative to sexism, racism, and other outrages. include their positions on the issues as if they were sitting there. "that's what limbaugh says but the fact is...." should be a regular retort to republicans in media. discrediting the talk radio gods will help undo some of the cumulative damage and alternate reality that republican radio has created the last 2 decades.
6) Include questions in polls, or directly poll talk radio listeners on issues to see how talk radio influences (as opposed to fox-related polling).
7) Expand on exposing their use of paid callers and their national and local coordination with Republican friendly think tanks
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