Brian Jennings served as National V.P. of Talk Programming for Citadel Broadcasting, one of the largest radio companies for over a decade and served as programming head to over 40 radio stations nationwide. According to Talker's Magazine, he is one of the founding fathers of the conservative talk radio format and is credited as establishing America's first all conservative radio station. According to Talker's: "The talk radio station that many radio people agree was the first to purposely program an all-conservative talk format - KVI in Seattle." Nominated 5 times as a national talk radio executive of the year by Radio and Records Magazine, Jennings is also a national award-winning journalist. His many awards include Columbia University's DuPont Award, the National Sigma Delta Chi Award, the Ohio State Award, the National Headliners Award, the National Abe Lincoln Award, and others. He has also worked as a consultant to national personalities such as Oliver North, Michael Reagan, Alan Colmes, Dick Cavett, and others.
Jennings resides in the Pacific Northwest and is a frequent guest on radio and television programs and a staunch defender of free speech.
Brian Jennings is author of Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio, available on Amazon.com and leading booksellers.
Brian Jennings
Hidden Agenda: The FCC’s Diversity Officer
by Brian JenningsSince writing Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio published in May by Simon & Schuster, I’ve been watching developments at the FCC closely. The book suggested the left had a hidden agenda to silence conservative talk radio and that they never were serious about re-instating the Fairness Doctrine because there was a better way to silence conservatives. I quoted Craig Aaron of Free Press, a liberal media watchdog group with inside connections to the FCC ,who said: “I don’t support re-instating the Fairness Doctrine not because I don’t support the goals, but because I think it’s the wrong way to go about it.” In other words, there is a RIGHT way to go about it – to muzzle conservative talk radio.
The right way appears to be Mark Lloyd, the FCC’s Chief Diversity Officer, a man who literally hates conservative talk. Apparently, diversity does not include conservative talk radio. As documented by the Media Research Center and others, Mark Lloyd thinks that if conservative broadcasters don’t present liberal points of view, they should be fined and the money given to public broadcasters. (more…)
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Who Really Owns the Airwaves?
by Brian JenningsFor decades, Americans have been brainwashed into thinking the broadcast airwaves are public. Are they? Or have we become so accustomed to thinking the airwaves are public that they have become so by default? By designating the airwaves as public domain, the government has become the referee of what we hear and see. And, when government has regulatory control of the media, potential danger lurks. Enforcement of the Fairness Doctrine until 1987 was one of the regulations that controlled the media, for example.
Listen to Ayn Rand
A little history behind the Federal Communications Commission and the notion that the airwaves belong to the public is in order. It all began in 1924 with Herbert Hoover when he served as Secretary of Commerce. It was Hoover who fought for government control of radio and made repeated attempts to extend government power beyond the limits set by legislation of the time including attempts to attached detailed conditions to radio licenses. (more…)
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Muzzling CNN’s Lou Dobbs
by Brian JenningsIt seems the whacked out left just can’t stand to see their comrades at CNN continue to air the Lou Dobbs show. They were glad to see Glenn Beck move over to the dark side on the Fox News Channel and now they would like to see CNN can Lou Dobbs. Here’s the story in brief.
Dobbs got under the skin of liberals when he challenged them on illegal immigration. The voicebox of the left, Media Matters for America, challenged Dobbs claiming he spent an inordinate amount of time on the illegal immigration issue and the debate over the failed amnesty bill of 2007. Dobbs simply asked hard questions and was labeled a racist passing along “myths” for his efforts. In one memorable television segment, Dobbs skillfully defended himself telling MM’s Paul Waldman on the air, “Your report is a scurrilous attack, and you pretend it has some scholarly basis. It is an absolute pitiful joke.” (more…)
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Minority Broadcasters Seek Bailout
by Brian JenningsWell if we can spend millions to protect the salt marsh mouse in San Francisco Bay, we can surely shell out billions to bail out minority broadcasters. It’s good for the economy and after all Congress is on record as saying it needs to save our nation’s newspapers, too. So, the table is set for government financial intervention of the media.
Minority broadcasters are asking tax-cheat Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for financial assistance. Sounds like the financial and auto industries, and it is. These broadcasters, including the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, the Inner City Broadcasting Coalition, the Spanish Broadcasting System, and others say they can bounce back because “unlike the auto business, broadcasting has been healthy for many years.” Has it now? (more…)
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Unreal: Broadcaster Freedom Amendment Defeated
by Brian JenningsFor those of us fighting for free speech on American airwaves, this is a major setback. The Broadcaster Freedom Amendment sponsored by Congressmen Greg Walden of Oregon and Mike Pence of Indiana has been defeated. The amendment would have prevented any form of the Fairness Doctrine from returning, including the new Fairness Doctrine disguised in localism rules and programming advisory boards for radio stations.
Plain and simple, this is censorship. If Congress truly believed in free speech, it would have allowed a vote on this. To do otherwise is a slap in the face of all Americans, the First Amendment, and those who drafted the First Amendment in 1791. To not allow a vote on this freedom of speech issue telegraphs one thing – Democrats in charge of the House want to censor the airwaves, and in particular conservative talk radio. (more…)
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Where Offensive Speech is Prohibited, Tyranny Will Follow
by Brian JenningsFirst it was the National Hispanic Media Coalition calling on the FCC to probe what it feels is hate speech by conservative talk radio hosts. The group claims it isolated 334 incidents of hate speech by John & Ken of KFI, Los Angeles, Michael Savage, and Lou Dobbs in eighty minutes of tape.
Then it was minority groups petitioning the FCC to investigate the new radio ratings system called the Portable People Meter because they feel it under represents the ratings on urban radio stations and is unfair. The meter can’t lie and registers in real time what radio stations those who wear the device are hearing. Make sure all groups are fairly represented and all should be fine. (more…)
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Incoming FCC Chairman: No Censorship
by Brian JenningsThere was good news coming out of the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday. Julius Genachowski, President Obama’s choice to head the Federal Communications Committee made a strong statement that he does not favor censorship of the broadcast airwaves. It is the most definitive and concise statement heard from the Chairman-to-be and from the Obama administration. We welcome it. Let’s hope the far-left backs off its call for a return of Fairness Doctrine-like regulations aimed at conservative talk radio. I doubt they will, but at least Genachowski is on record as opposed to the Fairness Doctrine and controversial localism mandates that would censor free speech determined by the marketplace.
Genachowski made the statement in response to a question from Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.
Generally, the Senate hearing was a lovefest and accolades were also handed out to Robert McDowell, a Republican who has been re-nominated for another term on the commission. McDowell has stated unequivocally that he does not favor regulations such as mandated programming advisory boards considered under localism regulations that the FCC issued for proposed rule-making in January 2008. Let’s hope that report finds itself shredded and trashed forever. (more…)
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FCC: America’s New Speech Police
by Brian JenningsI find it incredible in America that a regulatory agency thinks it has jurisdiction to probe an independent business. Oh, but I forget about Chrysler, GM, and our banking system. Foolish me. What the Federal Communications Commission is doing is outlandish and smacks of tyranny in the making. We should brace ourselves because the implications for free speech in America are grave. Your right to hear what you want to hear when you want to hear it is something our government doesn’t give a damn about. The free marketplace of ideas is something that is evil to them.
The FCC has announced it will probe Arbitron’s new audience measurement system for radio stations – it’s called the Portable People Meter. Arbitron is an independent company and the FCC has no jurisdiction over it. But, acting FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and his fellow Democrat Jonathan Adelstein disagree. Adelstein has been quoted as stating the commission has “clear authority” over broadcast signals, and “legitimate questions” to ask about Arbitron’s system, which relies on these signals, and operates as a currency for the industry. (more…)
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Obama’s Latest Assault on Conservative Talk
by Brian JenningsThere is no question the Obama administration and most Democrats thinks conservative talk radio is something that should be eliminated from the “new” American culture. We documented that in the book Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio. Now, the administration is stepping up its subtle attack on conservative talk radio stations.
In 2008, Arbitron, which measures radio audiences nationwide, began rolling out its latest measurement technology called the “Portable People Meter,” or PPM. It’s a pager-device that automatically registers what someone is listening to at any moment. It’s the measurement of real time listening as opposed to the “old” system that required a listener to recall and write down once a week the stations they could remember they heard. Most radio executives feel this system is the future for radio audience measurement. When the New York ratings came out last fall, it showed conservative talk radio was even stronger than previously noted under the old audience measurement system and that minority radio stations were not as popular. Well, you know the rest of the story. (more…)
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The Fight for Free Speech is On!
by Brian JenningsThere have been several new developments regarding the battle to regulate free speech on your radio. First, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas provided a definitive statement about how the court might view restoration of the Fairness Doctrine. Accordng to WorldNetDaily, Justice Thomas called the policy “problematic” and a “deep intrusion into the First Amendment rights of broadcasters.” He is right. That’s why Democrats are going through the FCC backdoor to regulate broadcasters in a stealth manner with measures that would accomplish their goals of snuffing out conservative talk and thus conservative values in America. They are smart enough to know the “old” Fairness Doctrine wouldn’t stand up in court. So, the first step in the process begins May 7th when the FCC will start conducting hearings to “redistribute media ownership” in America. The theme of redistributing wealth continues.
The other major development is news about new FCC appointments coming soon. According to Radio & Records, the new appointments are imminent. It appears Obama will nominate Mignon Clyburn from South Carolina as one of his Democrat appointments along with Julius Genachowski as Chairman. Ms. Clyburn has a newspaper background, so hopefully she will have some sympathies for conservative talk radio, but I doubt it. She also has a strong public service background and has been vetted by Obama. Newspapers have always held a low opinion of conservative talk radio. Watch for the hammer to come down. (more…)
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Redistributing the Media
by Brian JenningsDuring his campaign Mr. Obama stated numerous times his desire to increase diversity of ownership of media. Minions on the FCC such as Commissioners Copps and Adelstein have also stated their desire to redistribute the media. The first step toward that goal has been announced. And, it threatens conservative talk in America.
Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps has set May 7th as the date for a meeting of the commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. Copps has been stating loudly that he wants to increase diversity in media ownership and that it will be a priority of the FCC. National hearings on the topic were held in 2007 and the FCC commissioners turned up their criticism of large media companies like Clear Channel and others. This will get the ball rolling on diversity before new FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is confirmed by the Senate and seated at the FCC. They are deadly serious. (more…)
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Eye on the Ball Conservatives: Free Speech
by Brian JenningsBecause I am a conservative, I am obviously a racist. Because I am a conservative, I am a homophobe. Because I am a conservative, I am Islamaphobic. Because I am a conservative, I am hateful. And, Homeland Security says I’m a right wing extremist. B.S. If conservatives were endangered by global warming, the left would abandon their hysteria about it. The last few weeks have been incredible in terms of the left exerting their new found power. They are punch drunk with sinister goals.
Hillary Clinton laughs during an interview about Somali pirates. Obama wants to consider prosecution of those who used torture tactics that Karl Rove says saved Los Angeles from a World Trade Center type attack. Nancy Pelosi says those of us who spoke and participated in the Tea Bag parties were astro-turfers. Harry Reid told KKOH radio in Reno that only 250 people showed up in Carson City for a rally when there were thousands. Janeane Garofalo says anyone who showed up to the Tea Parties was a racist. Miss California is a homophobe. She put her convictions above winning. David Letterman and Jon Stewart insult us on TV. Where does it stop? (more…)
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The Free Speech Attack Machine
by Brian Jennings
I appeared on Mike Pintek’s show on America’s first radio station, KDKA in Pittsburgh, the other night talking about speech regulations the FCC has proposed for radio and television. These regulations would erase more than twenty years of speech governed by the free marketplace rather than by government edict. It’s a sad story when we are talking about regulating speech in America. But, we are in 2009.
Shortly after the KDKA appearance one liberal blogger wrote the following: (more…)
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Hate Speech Resides on the Left
by Brian JenningsI thought conservatives were the only group that was guilty of hate speech until I heard Jon Stewart’s rant on Rush Limbaugh. But, that was preceded by New York Governor David Paterson. And, that was preceded by David Letterman. Limbaugh is a tough football loving brute, but even three libs throwing illegal chop blocks can’t take Rush down. Odd how they accuse us of hate speech when in fact they are guilty three times this week. Three strikes and you’re out!
First, Letterman said Rush was too smart to believe what he says and should be the head of the Republican Party because he’s tubby. Second, Governor Paterson bashes Rush for announcing his intention to sell his Fifth Avenue condo because of high taxes and being audited ad nauseum. But, those incidents were mild compared to the idiotic rant by pseudo-comedian Jon Stewart who tells Rush to “get the fxxx out of here.” Stewart didn’t stop at that: “For years, for years, for years, New Yorkers have done everything in our power to get this guy to leave town. We knew he was into drugs, so we cleaned up Times Square. We even opened up a Disney store in the very place he would normally go to buy drugs.” The reference was Rush’s dependence on pain killers which he openly admitted on his show facing his problem honestly and ultimately winning his battle. But Stewart let his anger get the best of him and the hate spewed forth declaring everyone who smokes a cigar is a “douchebag.” And, then….”We outlawed murder, figuring he was a guy with a taste for it.” (more…)
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Letterman: Another Intolerant Robot for the Left
by Brian Jennings
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Given the choice between watching Letterman or Leno, I choose Leno and have for years. Leno lines up much better politically and I think his humor is much stronger than Letterman. I also think Letterman is shallow. Not much between the ears. He pans to those who really aren’t well informed because he isn’t well informed. He can give you a headline but no content. When I have seen or heard his “Top Ten,” it’s most often just dumb and not worth the energy to even smile. He’s a book with no pages. During an exchange with Bill O’Reilly I caught on Fox this week, I was reminded why Letterman’s a dweeb. Letterman wanted to talk about Rush Limbaugh, “He’s too smart to believe what he’s saying. You (O’Reilly) are too smart to believe what you say.” HUH? I don’t know about you, but when someone says that to me, I get a little hot under the collar. How do you say “thought police?” (more…)
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Conservative Talk Ratings Skyrocket
by Brian JenningsShortly after last fall’s election, some pundits declared that conservative talk radio was dying. After all, we lost the election and had no impact on voters. In November, an op-ed written by Steve Elman and Alan Tolz for the Boston Globe said, “overall use of their medium is in decline.” The authors also stated, “Alternatives to broadcast radio have proliferated – satellite, net-casts, downloads, blogalogue, iPod entertainment, cellphone updates. As a result, younger listeners largely ignore talk radio, and its existing audience is calcifying.”
Not a rosy picture for conservative talk, right? Let’s check the facts. For decades my job was to produce ratings as a National Talk Radio programmer. We check those ratings constantly. Apparently, the authors of this Boston Globe commentary don’t keep the same scorecard radio keeps. While it is true there are many sources of information today, talk radio listening has increased dramatically during the past year. The 2008 election provided us with daily drama that translated into ratings. In keeping my scorecard which included ratings for over 40 radio stations nationwide, we registered one of the highest fall ratings reports ever. KKOH in Reno, which has always been the market leader, registered the highest ratings in 14 years. KKOB in Albuquerque, which has been the market leader for over eight years, increased its ratings stranglehold on that market. In almost every market, conservative talk radio increased its ratings. And, it hasn’t slowed down. (more…)
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Why Air America Sucks
by Brian JenningsAs a talk radio pro who defends and cherishes free speech, it’s time for me to weigh in on why Air America sucks. It’s not that I want them to fail – they already have once. As a free speech advocate, I cheer for their success – unlike what many liberals hope for conservative talk which I helped establish in America. But, since its inception, Air America has been a failure. After its first financial disaster, it is attempting to make a comeback and has new and credible leadership in industry veterans Bennett Zier and Bill Hess. But, it’s a long climb out of a deep hole.
Air America’s newest ace is none other than former TV huckster Montel Williams. He follows Jerry Springer who followed none other than…..Al Franken. Now, there is some name value in all three, but the first two failed in radio. Franken was an absolute disaster. As I wrote in my upcoming book “Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio,” Franken didn’t know he had to have something between the ears to do a three-hour radio talk show each day. And, that’s what so many of these non-radio personalities don’t get. Doing a three-hour radio talk show takes hours of prep time. Most hosts spend about three hours of prep time for each hour of on-air time. These guys just walked into the studio and thought it would happen automatically. Listeners would flock to them….they were superstars…NOT! There are no teleprompters in radio! (more…)
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Pardon the Obama Media Hypocrisy!
by Brian Jennings
When writing my book Censorship: The Threat To Silence Talk Radio, I included one of the Obama campaign’s most hypocritical moments. After reading this, you’ll have no question why the “Teleprompter of the United States” needs one. John McCain was no challenge in the debates but Obama avoided this confrontation. An excerpt from my book which Simon & Schuster will publish May 5th:
In late August, 2008, Obama supporters unleashed their venom on Chicago’s WGN radio for allowing a critic of Barack to come on the air. The station had scheduled an interview with Stanley Kurtz, author of an article that linked Obama to 60’s radical William Ayers. (Ayers – now a professor in the College of Education at University of Illinois – was co-founder of a radical left-wing organization called the Weather Underground that was responsible for bombings of public buildings in the 60’s and 70’s, resulting in injuries to and deaths of several people.) (more…)
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Talk Radio = Hate Speech?
by Brian JenningsI have been accused of promoting hate speech more than once as a talk radio programmer. In fact, I’ve been accused of it for over 25 years. Who defines hate speech? Many who accuse talk radio of promoting hate want the FCC to regulate it. To suggest regulation suggests censorship. As Voltaire said: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
In researching my book “Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio,” to be published May 5th by Simon & Schuster, I used excerpts of what some groups claim is hate speech. So, I throw this out for discussion. Is the following excerpt taken from the “Michael Savage Show” hateful? In the general context of on-going terrorism, beheadings, car-bombings, and other atrocities by radical Islamists, Savage exploded on October 29, 2007. In challenging Muslims to demonstrate their religion is one of peace, Savage issued these words: (more…)
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Free Speech Fades in America
by Brian Jennings
There is growing alarm among talk radio personalities and executives nationwide as the Obama administration embeds socialistic values into the American mainstream. Thanks to President Reagan, broadcasters have been free from the Orwellian Fairness Doctrine for over twenty years. The number of talk stations has grown from 125 to now over 2000 thanks to his great wisdom of repealing this doctrine which muzzled free speech. Radio and Television owners simply didn’t want to risk being turned into the FCC and potentially lose their broadcast license if they said something controversial. I worked for twenty years under this doctrine and we never broached major controversy – free thought and expression was tightly controlled over the airwaves. When Reagan dropped the restrictions, Rush Limbaugh and a multitude of other conservative hosts emerged and succeeded because there was so much pent up demand by those who felt their views negated by restrictions and by the overwhelming liberal media bias. Now, Democrats want to restore speech restrictions and it is simply covert censorship. (more…)
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