Anything beats the mainstream media nowadays. I would advocate that everyone have his cable unplugged and go back to reading a good progressive newspaper, and a good book. You’ll not only get smarter, but the corporate media heads will feel the budget scrunch.

Instead of going after the Whacked out mouth peices of the Far Right Fringe- we need to focus on those who have granted them the expressed and implied ‘authority’ which they so freely wield.
I have yet to see or hear a media outlet place a disclaimer prior to and throughout the show. Thus it seems these blowhorns DO represent the views and opinons of the broadcating network.
By Signing a contract in agreement to pay these pundits, and provide them with the ‘airwave’ access (long with their own golden phallic symbol mic), these Corps have given an Expressed consent tobe their spokesmen,thus provide an image of Authority to these inciters of violence, hate and fearmongering. Since they have not yet bothered to CYA it with a pre statement of disconnect from their thoughts and views, one must assume they are in full agreement with them. They do have a precedence of such things- what is played before & during every Infomercial show. And isn’t that exactly what these Talk shows are - infomercials, pitching an idea, even misconstruing facts to support their claims. These are not ‘news’ they are Op- Eds with pitchmen. Why is it a braodcasting corp can be held resposnible for the dangerous claim a ginger root can cure cancer, but not be just as liable for a claim that the Obama admin is out to take away your gun rights- has he even mentioned it? Is there any legislation currently in the works? Of course after all these violent gun attacks there will be now. and whos fault is that?
through these conctracts, lack of disclaimers and the pulpit they provide, these corps are giving the impression to the publid that these folks have earned some type of an authority status. Thus granting Implied Authority - where none can be proven. Does BillO or Rush have a PhD in foreign Relations? Any Work Experience? No- but it appears they do by the mere fact they are given a Plateform to expound their personal thoughts and views. In reality they are no different than the drunk at the corner bar standing on his imaginary soapbox. How often do Bars grant these people the Stage and Mic? Rarely since they do not want to be associated or responsible for what comes out of their mouths.And this is exactly what these corps have done- they handed the angry dumbass drunk the spotlight. They have failed to Cover their own asses from liability for what comes out of their mouth,by haphazardly granting them Carte Blanc as Representatives of the Corps views and opinions. Who should be charged with inciting violence and hate motivated propaganda… the Broadcasting Execs who gave these folks Expressed and Implied Authority as their spokespeople.Freedom of Speech is a protected Right of Citizens not inanimate entities like Corps.
If these Corps are not going to reign in the rhetoric being expressed on these shows, then they should at least announce their non affiliation with it. They are a nation (world)wide Public service, Therefore they are required to act within the best interest of the public.Failing to do so requires disclosure, otherwise it is detrimental and dishonest, thus nothing more than propaganda.
As for BillO,Rush, Beck, Hannity et al should, at least, be relegated back to the end of the bar to kabitz amongst themselves.

The media—as liberal as the corporations that own them.

CNN just uses iReport and Twitter to save money. Free reporting without having to visit any exotic locations or do any real research on the ground. If I want Joe Sixpack’s opinion I won’t pay $40/month to have CNN bring it to me.