Why are right-wing pundit shows all over the place in radio and cable news?

Question

where as liberal pundit shows are almost nonexistent?

Do you think it could be because right-wingers like to be told what to think

Or

is it because they tend to think in black and white simplistic terms and like to have somebody to demonize? (mexicans, muslims, liberals, feminists, gays, etc)

I listen to the right-wing radio shows every once in a while, and no joke I come on this board and cons are parroting the same thing. One day the topic will be "regulating talk radio" or "Pelosi visiting Syria (along with three other Republicans) and how she's a traitor" I come on this board and no suprise, that's what cons are talking about.

Answer 1

Your question is like asking, "why do some people read books rather than listen to the radio, while others burn them."

You can always tell something is propaganda, when they start talking about something people in both parties do, but have to preceed it with "but the democrats" two or three times, to make people with short attention spans forget it isn't only "the democrats".

Answer 2

Right-wing radio and cable shows exist because there is a market for them. This means that they garner a sufficient viewing / listening audience that the broadcaster can sell commercial time to pay for the costs of broadcasting the show.

These have become popular because, for the most part, the rest of the mainstream media - TV news, newspapers, radio, NPR - are all generally left of center to some small or even large extent. This has been well documented, regardless of whether you choose to accept the fact or not.

We don't need to be told what to think - we don't like our information filtered by journalists - nor do we see things in B&W or simplistically, nor do we want to demonize anybody, such as the way you seem to need to demonize conservatives (heh!).

Yes, there are people on both sides who seem attached to the talking points and who spew garbage by accusing their opponents in broad, sweeping and false generalizations (your question is but one).

And to tell the truth, I've seen this same question so many times that it has also become a leftist talking point. So... pot, meet kettle.

Answer 3

The reason there are right wing talk shows is because there is an audience.

Your second answer is probably closer to reality than the first one even though both of them carry some grain of truth. I know right wingers who sound like a recording of Rush Limbaugh and lack any intellectual understanding of their beliefs. I also know those who get fired up by listening to loud mouths, but have the intellectual backing of their ideas.

Personally, talk radio is one of those things that turned me into a moderate over a conservative.

Answer 4

Because the GOP has paid good money to sling the propoganda.
But just like Ryan says above, in cases where people actually research the facts, they are more apt to become moderate over conservative as a result.
When you think about the fact that many of them promote the idea that education is socialist brain washing, it makes sense that, people who are lazy when it comes to making their own decisions and researching the facts, like to be told how to think, and like right-wing radio.

Answer 5

The same reason that the Jerry Springer show was so popular in the USA.

Answer 6

Aren't John Stewart and Stephen Colbert effective enough?

They are the only guys I watch.

Answer 7

It is because there is a market for their discussion.

This is a concept abhorrent to you socialists, but it is what has made America great...free markets.

You socialists want everything to be equally mediocre...and the danger in that is that you and your ilk are now preparing gross restrictions on free markets and free speech.

Why not put out a better product, and create demand for your better product?

Oh wait...that would require work...you can do it more easily through a judge...

ADDITION: How utterly expected, that an answer trumpeting free speech and free markets gets the lib thumbs down. Rather than produce a good radio product that can compete, they hope for legislation to shut down opposing ideas. Careful folks, Pelosi and Feinstein are going to put forth a bill that turns the First Amendment upside down.


**********************...
THE LIB THUMBS DOWN
MY BADGE OF HONOR!
**********************...

Answer 8

because television is dominated by the liberal media. radio is where conservatives have turned for their forum. too bad the libs cant manage to keep a raido show on. have you ever listened to air america. its a joke. sounded like a bunch of pissed off high schoolers. most of their content was how they hate bush and ways to take him out....literally as in assassination and they made constant jokes about politicians in extremely bad taste. conservative radio is not like that and invites libs to call in and make their point. unfortunately, the libs dont have one.

Answer 9

The media is cooperate owned and they have to keep slinging the propaganda to keep their best interests infront of the American people.

Answer 10

No, it is because right wingers don't read. Most liberals and independents read books and newspapers.