The Personal Is Political: The Political Economy of Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting in the United States

In: Monthly review: an independent socialist magazine, Band 66, Heft 10, S. 47

Abstract

In this paper, the author looks at the problems facing progressives and those on the political left in the US in participating in political analysis and debate in mainstream journalism and the news media. He focuses on radio broadcasting, as this is where much of political discussion takes place in the US. Radio broadcasting is the least expensive of the media for production and reception, is ubiquitous, has adapted itself to the Internet, and is uniquely suited for locally based programming. He leaves aside the matter of the Internet, as this is an issue he addresses in detail elsewhere; while the digital revolution is of indubitable importance, it does not alter my basic argument appreciably. He also stays away from television, cable TV news networks in particular. While those channels are important, they too do not affect my core points. He looks specifically at his own experience hosting a weekly public affairs program on a National Public Radio-affiliated radio station in Illinois from 2002-2012. Adapted from the source document.