Conservative talker Rush Limbaugh used to tell his listeners that the government was trying to silence him, based on a completely bogus tale about what the Fairness Doctrine would do.
This time around, it's an ad campaign by the liberal group Media Matters for America directed at some of the stations that air Limbaugh's show. The group is encouraging citizens to contact stations and let them know they object to Limbaugh's degrading, sexist comments about Sandra Fluke.
So what's the controversy? Fox News host Bill O'Reilly thundered (3/22/12) that "the far-left is a primary source of censorship in America." He went on:
There is something very fascist about all of this. Shut down your opposition, don't let them speak. Punish people who support them. In every totalitarian state in the world, that is tactic No 1. Silence the opposition.
It's not surprising that O'Reilly–who's got a history of calling for boycotts to punish artists he doesn't like–would say this, but even in mainstream coverage there are some curious ideas floating around.
Radio stations operate on the public airwaves, and in theory are obligated to consider the public interest of their communities. These Media Matters ads encourage listeners to tell stations that they don't think Limbaugh's rhetoric is appropriate for their community. This is apparently causing some consternation. As the Associated Press (3/22/12) reports,
the group's stance has provoked concerns that an effort to silence someone for objectionable talk is in itself objectionable.
It'd be interesting to see someone make that case. The AP doesn't really have that, though. The most strident defense of Limbaugh comes from his syndicator:
"This is not about women," said Rachel Nelson, Premiere spokeswoman. "It's not about ethics and it's not about the nature of our public discourse. It's a direct attack on America's guaranteed First Amendment right to free speech. It's essentially a call for censorship masquerading as high-minded indignation."
Rush Limbaugh, of course, has no First Amendment right that prohibits people from criticizing him. The AP account goes on to say
Beyond the First Amendment concerns, industry experts like Talkers magazine publisher Michael Harrison are concerned that Media Matters' effort will simply take some advertisers out of radio altogether when they have different options.
So the real story isn't so much about the First Amendment; it's about activists who are encouraging advertisers to stay away from Limbaugh's show. There's something ironic about this; Limbaugh once bragged about the "confiscatory" rates he was able to charge advertisers, so perhaps some of them might have decided it was time to stop getting ripped off.
But the role of advertisers in a commercial media system is worth examining. FAIR has long argued that sponsors have considerable power to shape content– a failure to secure corporate sponsorship makes some programming less viable from the very outset. In 2006 FAIR reported on an internal memo from the ABC Radio Networks that instructed stations to keep an array of commercials off of liberal Air America programming. Apparently those companies did not want to be associated with that kind of programming.
So the need to produce a product that will not offend corporate sponsors has a direct effect on what kind of programming is deemed viable in a corporate-dominated commercial system. For decades, Limbaugh's far-right, routinely offensive chatter was OK with corporate advertisers. The same would likely not be true for a progressive talk show.
Corporate advertising, in other words, is not value-neutral. Far from it. Advertising is what has made Rush Limbaugh's radio career so lucrative, for himself and the stations that air him. Citizens who speak out against his show aren't infringing on his First Amendment rights. They're using their First Amendment rights to challenge him.
About Peter Hart
Well Tims answer is revealing.The Rs make more money so it is in fact OK to kick them.And stop trying to parade ms fluke as an 22 year old little innocent law student.She is a 30- some year old professional activist(Yes she has been payed).
John Im glad you missed the constant attacks on conservative woman.It was not pretty.Still isn't.If Palin were running now you would see it day and night.Hopefully you will catch it from now on.As far as Rush he speaks for himself.Much he says is applauded by conservatives.We have no messiah need on this side of the isle.
Rush has the constitutional right to smear, defame, demonize and demean anybody he wants to. And every American offended by his words has the constitutional right to speak against him, and to spend their hard-earned cash in a manner that's in harmony with their personal beliefs. I can't say in every instance whether countervailing power is right OR wrong; I will note that it seems to surge to its greatest potential at the times when it is most urgently needed. Limbaugh has the right to free speech; he does not have the right to unconditional protection from criticism (or action) if he uses that right irresponsibly. Nothing at all inappropriate about economic pressure being brought to bear on those who would profit from such blatant irresponsibility.
This is the second time a previous comment has gone missing. Is anyone else encountering this problem?
Again …
So, this would be the same AP whose SOP is to exclude the voices of anyone other than those "vetted" as within the acceptable spectrum of political discourse?
That's a very black kettle
Without a pot to piss on
@michael e: Still playing blame the victim, I see. Ms. Fluke is 30, a student, and an activist, so naturally she's fair game to be called all manner of insults. Yep. That's the way it works, alright.
Limbaugh speaks for himself? Tell that to Mike Steele. I'm sure you remember– what with your fantastic memory– how the GOP chairman decried the influence Limbaugh had in the party and then was forced to kowtow and eat crow. Also tell that to the Congressmen and Senators who have praised Limbaugh in the Congressional Record over the years. By any reasonable measure, Limbaugh clearly wields enormous influence over– if not de facto leadership of– the Republican Party. I can't imagine you typing "speaks for himself" with a straight face.
Well john would say that the conservative truth that Limbaugh wields, is the word that many Republicans (who are just as bad big gov folk as any DEM)find hard to wiggle out of.Just as the tea party shamed many" business as usual Rs" ,so goes Rush with the quality if his impact.Of course in the end he has no power but the power of truth.I can't turn off Obamas impact on my life with the wave of my hand.With Rush all i need do is flip the channel.And please understand that Rush apologized to her,and to his listeners.So no that is NOT THE WAY IT WORKS.Apology…..Something Im hoping for from people like Tim who today im sure tweeted more hate….more unvarnished liberal hatred for VP Cheney as he recovers.Have you read the blogs and tweets and comments?Hitler did better at the local synagog.I tell you that if it were Obama or Joe Biden or Clinton or Gore,they would have my prayers and hopes for a speedy recovery and a healthy long life.My political differences with them are not personal in any way.Such thoughts are completely foreign to the hate filled left.Think if it were Bush or Palin.It would be just as horrible as what we see being said about the former VP.I was talking today to a well known left talking head(who shall remain nameless).Some of the things she said about the Veep were horrible.I asked her……say something good about the man.About Sarah.About Bush.She said "I just cant.I hate them too much"."All of them".Im sure I could talk at length about the GOOD things I see in Clinton, or Gore.Hilary or Obama.Why is it beyond comprehension for the left to do that?Let me leave the stage open for TIM to say some positive things about Sarah Palin….I worry that even thinking about it will cause him to have a stroke.Clear as can be we see the hate filled left.I could enjoy having a beer with Obama.He seems a good man with a good and loving family.How is that going on these blogs when talking about George Bush?
@michael e: You're completely delusional if you think that Limbaugh has no power over the Republican Party– other than the power of truth, whatever the hell that means. A few high-ranking party members are on record complaining about having to answer to the blowhard who is not elected to anything. Several others have made comments off the record with similar complaints.
These are facts and you're ignoring them.
Well john if you mean "answer to him" in the figurative sense I suppose that is true.He has no personal contact with any of them to speak of.And he does not have guests.He is not in any loop.And he does not take calls from them in his off hours if that is what you are saying.And that is not an accident.He travels in his own orbit, free of interference.He does not need them at all.Though they may believe they need him.Sucking up to the power tit.That is why I say they have to answer to his words(his truth).Words that so many conservatives believe in.But again we don't need to believe in Rush the man.If he died tomorrow conservatism goes on without skipping a beat.It is the very heart of America.He is just a very articulate voice espousing what we believe in.A speaker of the house reading the constitution as it were.When F Lee Buckley died …What did some on the left call it?The death of Conservatism!Yeah well not so much.Thats what is so funny about the lefts drive to silence him.It really would accomplish nothing.He goes and ten more would take his place.Wanna end his show?Throw down the constitution.He wont have a damn thing to talk about.
@michael e: He doesn't have to take calls from them. They all take his calls.
Not in the loop? Are you serious?
Your view of this situation is completely contradictory to everything that's been reported about Limbaugh and his relationship with the GOP– and that includes stories from Fox News and the Wall Street Journal.
Micheal E. Troubling (since he recently revealed his last name here I assume it's okay to use it) has shifted yet again to sanctimonious mode. saying (punctuation his): "Im sure I could talk at length about the GOOD things I see in Clinton, or Gore.Hilary or Obama.Why is it beyond comprehension for the left to do that?"
Do what? Be sure it could say good things about the right? What would be the point of that? Are far-right media hatemongers all sure they could talk at length about the good things they see in the people they vilify?
As for delusional, scroll back through michael e's name-calling on this site. Wheew!
John who does he speak to?He says he does not speak to anyone per say,you say he does.Im going with him.You are not there.He is.He openly mocks ,lampoons, and spreads heaps of sarcasm, at this notion the left tries to sell.Sometimes it does appear in the right wing press and he slams that as well.Believe as you want.
He is killing BAM today.Asking questions like…. what is with the new black panthers having a bounty on a man?Where is the attorney general?Where is the president on this?Nothing.Not a word.
What about the report on the great pee party revolt.The lawlessness.Rapes.Destruction of property?Nothing.Nothing at all.
And Why is Obama telling the Russian sec. of state to wait until after elections for him to act on an undisclosed matter?WHAT THE HELL is with that?
Why is he not admitting that his figures on OBAMA CARE were shite, and that millions will loose employer healthcare?Question after question.It has been going on for 50 minutes now.Sounds like he can go on all day.Framing this presidency as what it is.A wrecking ball.Hidden and protected by the liberal press.Where are all these stories in FAIR? The Obama mites are taking chops to the neck left and right in the news cycle.Will Fair even mention it.So biased.
I said all along the law framing this healthcare was unconstitutional.I was crucified on these blogs.So far….So far it seems the supreme court thinks my crucifiction was premature.Soon you will be writing about this from the standpoint of the court being a kangaroo court.Anyone or thing that does not buy into a government controlled liberal ideal is enemy number one.To be attacked and maligned.Rush just another on your hit lists.
@michael e: So you can guess something is unconstitutional? Kudos.
John Im not a constitutional scholar by an means.But I think the funding mechanism of this plan..That is the part that says to Americans you MUST buy this because the Government says so….It is so revolutionary(what next ..apples/?.The only people that can opt out are either in Nancy Pelosis district(47%) or have some special relationship with the powers that be.It is so inherently un American.Dragging in the commerce clause such a weak play at circumnavigating our constitution.Everyone on the left is yelling at the governments lawyer.How about realizing he is trying his very best without a leg to stand on?
Hey everyone.Go to Rushlimbaugh.com today.Not only will you get yesterday's 1rst hour ditocam free,where he eviscerates the left(One of his really great shows)….You will also see links to two stories.One by Steven Hayward called "A terrible ,no good,very bad month for the left".The other is a report by the washington post that even has stunned rush with its honesty posted today.
[...] of freedom of speech has always been a crabbed affair, pretty much limited to the view that he and his conservative allies–people who enjoy more freedom of speech than most–are the targets of censorship, if [...]