[ed. note: While Rachelle is doing a great job on politically themed posts, she doesn't have a specific background in radio. So, to supplement the crack (addicted) BlatherWatch News Team, we've invited "Radiohead" to post on the business of radio, in Seattle and nationally. Radiohead has been on the air in Seattle for over a decade, but he or she is not saying which station he or she is now on. For totally understandable reasons.
If you're also in the radio biz, Radiohead wants your scoops and gossip! As always, anonymity is completely guaranteed. E-mail us at [email protected]]
The headlines have, you know, Moved On. Trayvon Martin is the cause du jour, and Sandra Fluke is so early March. But the online liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org is now on the case!
This week, Seattle area members of MoveOn.org received an e-mail, ostensibly from MoveOn.org member Reilly Anderson, specifically targeting Bonneville Broadcasting and Rush Limbaugh's 9a-12p weekdaily broadcast on KTTH-770. The letter urged recipients to sign a MoveOn petition demanding that KTTH pull Limbaugh's show:
...this time Limbaugh has gone too far, and it has sparked a nationwide backlash. At least 140 major advertisers have pulled their ads from the Limbaugh show, and some stations have canceled the show altogether.
Rush is still on the air in Seattle—but if enough local folks speak out together, that could change. We can't let up now. So we are calling on KTTH 770 in Seattle to take Limbaugh off the air for good.
As of Thursday evening, 5,016 people had signed the MoveOn petition. The chances that KTTH - a station which owes its very existence to the snatching away of Limbaugh's show from then-dominant conservative talker KVI - will dump Rush because of the ire of a few thousand people, likely mostly liberals who don't listen to the station in the first place, are less than zero. What's hurt Limbaugh's show, nationally and in local markets, is attempts to target advertisers - not appeals to stations for whom pissing off Libtards is all in a day's work.
However, the chances that MoveOn.org is circulating versions of this letter in every market where Limbaugh broadcasting, signed in each by a willing local MoveOn acolyte, are quite high. ("Seattle" and "KTTH 770" were the only words in either the petition or the e-mail that were specific to this market. Data merge, baby.)
And the chances are 100% that MoveOn.org now has more information on 5,016 (and counting) people from the Seattle area that it can use in future fundraising efforts. Multiply that by cost-free e-mails to MoveOn.org members in the coverage areas of each of Limbaugh's 600 or so stations, and you'd have to conclude that MoveOn.org's opportunistic concern won't much impact Limbaugh's show, and certainly won't help Fluke or any of the other people Limbaugh will surely slime in the future.
But it works great for MoveOn.org's bottom line.
Apologies to Mr. Sound. Please repost your comment. BW is experiencing some technical difficulties.
Posted by: The BW crew | March 31, 2012 at 08:12 AM
After listening to Boze on KIRO this week, he’s filling in for Ross, I’ve since switched my radio to KTTH at noon. Listened to Medved then Boze. Though it’s probably out of liberal curiosity, my head might explode, and my books are calling. I still enjoyed the shows. Rush, naw… he’s fat blow hard with a problem with women and gas.
Posted by: Finis Hominis | March 31, 2012 at 09:37 AM
Is Moveon.org a tax exempt organization ? I believe it is, like Media Matters. Old man Soros funds both of them. Does that really seem right ?
Politically based organizations like these two really are should be required to pay taxes, IMO. It could be discerned that they are trying to suppress the First Amendment. On the other hand, no one has to listen to Limbaugh - just turn to a different station or turn off your radio.
Posted by: KS | March 31, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Seems to me they have the right to protest too, also.
Posted by: Montego | March 31, 2012 at 12:38 PM
It is past time that MoveOn.org moves on. I can't see where they could have any credibility with anybody but the most ignorant of left wing liberals.
The lack of integrity of those twits is beyond belief. Is the best way to counter an opinion that you do not agree with really to attempt to silence those that do oppose your "thinking"?
I guess if you can't keep up or even compete with the big boys, you take your ball and go home, then ask daddy to bulldoze the competitions field so they can't play either.
Can't let people hear opposing ideas. They might think about the issues and come to, what MoveOn considers to be the wrong conclusions.
Posted by: Chucks | March 31, 2012 at 02:30 PM
Seems to me they have the right to protest too, also.
Posted by: Montego | March 31, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Yup, they have the right to protest but what they seem to be protesting about here goes against the 1st amendment and they often make up stuff to bolster their case. Being honest and objective about what is protested is seldom done these days.
In some cases, certain people should be taken off the air for what they have said, and they usually are by their management.
Posted by: KS | March 31, 2012 at 02:49 PM
against the 1st amendment
Free speech and free assembly for common interests is against the 1st amendment?
and they often make up stuff to bolster their case
Sure you're not projecting, KS?
Posted by: Truth-seeker | March 31, 2012 at 03:46 PM
Hey KS - not to be too nitpicky, but what MoveOn is doing has nothing to do with the first amendment. That amendment is specifically about prohibiting government interference with free speech.
A private organization pressuring a commercial enterprise to not give a media platform to someone because they don't like what s/he says is many things (including, usually, stupid and futile), but it has nothing to do with government censorship.
Posted by: Pete | March 31, 2012 at 06:25 PM
Hey its all about Moveon.org, as radiohead put it. Correct, Pete - but guess I trust their motives less than a number of people do.
and they often make up stuff to bolster their case
Sure you're not projecting, KS?
Posted by: Truth-seeker | March 31, 2012 at 03:46 PM
No, just calling like I have seen them operate in the past. What are you trying to make up, TS ?
Posted by: KS | March 31, 2012 at 07:01 PM
And if you distrust their motives, their should be laws . . .
Posted by: Truth-seeker | March 31, 2012 at 08:21 PM
That may be your opinion TS, but that's not my view. Obviously there should not be laws for others who are distrusted, not unless their ACTS break laws.
Posted by: KS | April 01, 2012 at 10:07 AM