November 21, 2009

Radio and TV have always been about improving ratings which helps the bottom-line for the stations and their entertainers. It is such a fact of life for their "talent" that any news, good or bad is beneficial. 

People don’t understand this when they listen or watch their favorite show hosted by people like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly. They do not understand that every incident, lie, wild accusation and threat generates buzz and can be milked for more on-air time. Self promotion is the game they play well.

People naturally think their favorite entertainer is reporting facts and news, is being fair and balanced or has something important to say. They might even think they are educated and qualified. This is not necessarily true. Their primary qualification is to get people to listen so advertisers will buy air time and the company makes a profit so they get paid. It is that simple.

With this in mind, it does not matter what is said because saying something to get your fans to react is enough. Their world is one where lies are props and there are no accidents and coincidences when there is "breaking news".

Cable TV and the Internet blurr the line between politics and entertainment. The rules are still the same, that is, "getting the buzz on" to stay popular and employed but the effects on national politics are enormous because people are clueless.

Entertainers do their schtick so convincingly that most of their fans believe them and even make political and life decisions based on what they hear. Scary.

Because so many believe what they hear we are now a nation of sheep unable or unwilling to think and decide for ourselves. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly fill the vacuum in the heads of their listeners and viewers. Very scary.