jjares reviewed Rush Limbaugh: The Life and Legacy of the Conservative Political Commentator Behind America?s Most Popular Radio Show on + 3262 more book reviews
Never having heard Rush Limbaugh, I wondered how he got to be so powerful a voice for the right. I hoped this book would tell me the reason, and it did. I have to say that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a policy change that has led to our lack of civility on radio and tv stations, beginning in 1987. When they removed the Fairness Doctrine, it allowed the stations to put on anyone who could give them ratings and marketing sales.
The Fairness Doctrine was offered as a way of creating an 'informed public' by requiring balanced reporting about all sides of a controversial issue. Opinions, when raised by a tv or radio station, had to be clearly mentioned as such. What was so wrong with this system? It gave both sides an opportunity for others to hear their stand. Now we have a seriously divided population because there is no one telling both sides of the question at the same time. How can we be an informed public if we only hear one side of the argument (with the exclusion of the other)?
This is a very interesting (totally lacking in whitewash) review of Rush Limbaugh's life. He's been married 4 times and the only reason he's still married is that he did not get a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his assets (even after learning of his wife's multiple infidelities). With Limbaugh fighting 4th level cancer, his time on the air may be limited. One wonders, who will take his place?
The Fairness Doctrine was offered as a way of creating an 'informed public' by requiring balanced reporting about all sides of a controversial issue. Opinions, when raised by a tv or radio station, had to be clearly mentioned as such. What was so wrong with this system? It gave both sides an opportunity for others to hear their stand. Now we have a seriously divided population because there is no one telling both sides of the question at the same time. How can we be an informed public if we only hear one side of the argument (with the exclusion of the other)?
This is a very interesting (totally lacking in whitewash) review of Rush Limbaugh's life. He's been married 4 times and the only reason he's still married is that he did not get a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his assets (even after learning of his wife's multiple infidelities). With Limbaugh fighting 4th level cancer, his time on the air may be limited. One wonders, who will take his place?
