We Want Media

I want to work in talk radio. Most will tell you that radio is a dying form of media—they have been saying that since the creation of television. But radio is still alive and kicking, thanks in part to talk radio personalities that keep the medium fresh and thought-provoking.

Today I had the pleasure to sit in WABC studios with Neal Boortz and Sean Hannity. (Both conservative talk show hosts reach millions of listeners throughout the nation.) The occasion? Neal Boortz has crossed media platforms: from the airwaves to print. His previous New York Times best selling book The FairTax Book shows how talk radio can have a legislative impact—the FairTax plan is gaining support by Senators and President Bush (many of those frustrated with the current—and unfair—tax system).

But Boortz’s latest book Somebody’s Gotta Say It embodies the quintessential idea of freedom of speech: no filters. Boortz puts it all out there and says that it is his job, as a talk radio host, to ruffle feathers on issues such as the war on the individual, flag burning, government schools and countless other topics. And everything in the book is something Boortz will/would say on air. It is honest, funny and really makes you think. Well...or frustrate you, if you are not a like-minded Libertarian.

Liberals are working on limiting radio personalities like Boortz and Hannity from having such (gasp!) opinions. Ever hear of anything called the fairness doctrine? Liberals want to ruin a traditionally conservative platform of media because it undercuts their authority and isn’t fair to both sides. Isn’t it ironic? Liberals trying to limit freedom of speech…

So long as Hillary doesn’t win in 2008, I plan on working in talk radio for a long time. And hopefully there will always be people like Boortz around to tell it like it really is.