Quinn gets "radioactive" rating
Pittsburgh:Media watchdog groups are helping radio listeners find out what talk hosts are saying even without listening to them. Media Matters recently gave local host Jim Quinn a "radioactive" rating because they feel his speeches could be "hazardous to listeners." The organization usually monitors the nationally syndicted programs like Sean Hannity and others, but has recently taken on more regional programs such as Quinn's. (Quinn's program eminates from WPGB-FM - 104.7 - and is syndicated to 17 stations and Sirius-XM Radio.)
According to the Post-Gazette, Media Matters was founded in 2004 as a progressive/liberal organization keeping a watchful eye on all media. It was founded by David Brock whose conversion from a right-wing journalist is told in his book, "Blinded by the Right" The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative." The organization's mission is to "draw awareness to what is being said on the public airwaves and analyze and correct conservative misinformation in the media."
Jay Bohannon, WPGB Program Director, calls the protests from Media Matters "a non-factor" given that many of the emails generated to the station from the site are from people who never heard the actual broadcast. "Media Matters paints these guys as entirely mean-spirited and having no other agenda than to go on the air with malicious intent," Bohanon told the PG. "That's not the case at all. They have their opinions. They're conservative."
Media Matters claims that they aren't out to censor these hosts. Rather, "it's important to keep an eye on what's being said on the public airwaves. People should be aware what's out there. They can say whatever they want to say. But people are entitled to know that's what being said on their airwaves, and they're entitled to be offended about it."
Readers’ Forum
I’m not fan of Jim Quinn. He can be fun to listen to at times, but sadly what he said regarding welfare is true. It seems the only reason that people might have an issue with it is that he brought up slavery.
Maybe one day Media Matters will worry about the full spectrum of political commentators and not just what a few conservatives say on radio. Keith Olberman? Chris Matthews?
Dave - January 26, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I hope Media Matters keeps its ears peeled on syndicated sports talk hosts as well. I can think of at least two whose testoterone-laced tirades make them come across as unenlightned as the likes of Rush, Sean and Quinn. Jim Rome, in particular, has been know to take cheap shots at soccer, male cheerleaders, people who compete in extreme sports and even bowling.
Rick - January 26, 2009 at 7:10 pm
If their aim to to be a watch dog on the media funny I haven’t heard their opinion on the obvious libel by the NYT on John McCain and his adviser during the campaign.
Roy - January 26, 2009 at 8:21 pm