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.   

Lloyd co-wrote his recommendations in a well-publicized report “The Structural Imbalance of Political Talk Radio” in June of 2007, that skewered conservative talk radio as we documented in Censorship.  A few weeks later, he wrote this about conservative talk:  “The status quo does not serve our democracy well.  We want to create more ownership opportunities and more speech focused on local interests.  We want either clear rules that promote these First Amendment values or a reasonable payment to the public for the use of its property [the airwaves].” 

Mark Lloyd does not care that the liberal point of view permeates all media and that talk radio presents the only conservative alternative. Like all far-left loons, he wants it all.  He wants a tightly regulated media to push aside conservative talk radio and this is why he thinks any call for the Fairness Doctrine is unnecessary – because there are other ways to accomplish the same results.  Mark Lloyd is a danger to speech in the free marketplace of ideas.  He is only partially right when he says “conservative talk radio dominates the airwaves of the country.”  Conservative talk dominates only the talk radio airwaves and he is less than honest when he doesn’t tell you that talk radio listeners represent a minority when compared to all other media users.  Therefore, the only logical conclusion is he wants to destroy conservative talk as his writings suggest.   And, if there is any question to his motives, take a look at this video in which he praises Hugo Chavez of Venezuela – a dictator who has taken over his country’s media. 

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Big brother is here.  He’s Mark Lloyd.  Because he has shown his hate for conservative talk radio in many writings, how in the world can he claim the title of “Chief Diversity Officer” at the FCC?  At best it is hypocrisy.  At worst, it exposes what many of us have been warning – that Obama and his left-wing loons want no opposition.  The left has panned our warnings about mitigating conservative values by shutting down the conservative voice.  They have voiced their opposition to a return of the Fairness Doctrine hoping to lull us to sleep.  But, they cannot deny their stealth approach to censor conservative talk in America any longer.  As they stated earlier….there is no need for the Fairness Doctrine because it is the “wrong way to go about it.”  And now you know the right way.  Meet Mark Lloyd.

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.

They clearly want to regulate radio. Their speech is so disingenuous, its laughable. They say they do not favor the Fairness Doctrine, yet they support back-door measures that would accomplish the same goals. They cannot deny that programming advisory boards, localism rules, and defining the public interest with some “teeth” are all means of regulating speech in America – particularly conservative speech. This is an outrage and all Americans should see through this for what it is. These are tyrants in action.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps has stated, “If markets cannot produce what society really cares about, like a media that reflects the true diversity and spirit of the country, then government has a legitimate role to play.” Of course, he reserves the right to define the “diversity and spirit” of the country. Apparently, the country (free marketplace) cannot do that for themselves.

This is plain and simple tyranny and we must call it for what it is. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski along with Michael Copps are close followers of the leftist media reform organization called Free Press. Genachowski has even named a member of Free Press to his staff as a communications liaison. In my book, Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio, I quote the Communications Director for the Free Press. Here’s what Craig Aaron said.

So, 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.

So, if that’s the wrong way, there apparently is a right way. Please read this note from Congressman Greg Walden of Oregon. All Americans should be outraged.  It’s time for a mass cleansing of Washington in 2010.

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.

The radio industry led this fight and now has Mr. Genachowski on record as stating, “I strongly believe in the First Amendment and don’t think the FCC should be involved in censorship based on political speech and opinion.” As a longtime talk radio programmer, I would liked to have heard Mr. Genachowski also say he does not favor FCC mandates to set up “community advisory boards” for radio stations.  The FCC stated that such boards would further localism interests in its January 2008 report.  We presume that since Genachowski stated he does not favor localism mandates that would censor political speech, he would also not favor local advisory boards. It’s utter nonsense that in the United States an agency would suggest broadcast stations must have “community advisory boards.” We have our advisors – you the listener.  If you don’t like what you hear, our ratings reflect that.  And, that is the only valid form of censorship in America. 

Be vigilant for free speech and let’s make sure Julius Genachowski is true to his word.  And, watch out for the new wave of political correctness that has swept the world and is now taking stronger hold in America – legislation against hate speech.  Who decides what is hateful?  The National Hispanic Media Coalition has asked the FCC to investigate alleged hate speech by John and Ken of KFI, Los Angeles, Lou Dobbs of CNN, and Michael Savage of the Talk Radio Network.  Beware of further assaults on broadcast speech rights. 

Brian Jennings is author of Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio.

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.

The Obama administration, along with the City of New York, and other minority interests cried foul.  Then, the FCC stepped in and announced it would investigate the new Arbitron system.  After all, it cannot allow conservative talk radio to improve its already strong position on American airwaves! 

Several things are playing out that conservatives need to be aware of.  First, the Fairness Doctrine appears dead on arrival.  Democrats finally figured out re-imposition would be unconstitutional.  So, they are going through the backdoor to “clarify the public interest obligations” of broadcasters as stated by Obama and the Democrats in their 2008 party platform.  The FCC on May 7th began hearings to “diversify” media ownership in America.  The only way to do that is to take a broadcast license away from a current owner and give it to a minority.  Democrats can’t understand that such a “redistribution of wealth” is a form of censorship of another point of view.  And, of the 31 members of the advisory committee appointed by the FCC, it was hard to find one that represents conservative interests.  There is no one to represent Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, or Lars Larson in these on-going hearings.  Secondly, the FCC will reduce the broadcast license renewal term from eight to three years.  Big brother at work looking over the shoulder of media.  But, back to the Arbitron measurement issue.

Seattle has always been a strong talk market for radio.  But, in the first month of the new PPM methodology, talk radio tanked.  Any correlation to the FCC/Obama concerns that PPM does not represent minority interests?  Time will tell, but the Seattle ratings don’t reflect the trends for talk radio nationwide under the new audience measurement system.  Newstalk leader, KIRO switched to an FM frequency which always creates some confusion in early ratings.  Hopefully, subsequent Seattle PPM ratings will reflect the strength of talk radio in America.  Expect the Democrat controlled FCC to meddle where it should not because as acting FCC Commissioner Michael Copps told CNSNews.com earlier this year, “If markets cannot produce what society really cares about, like a media that reflects the true diversity and spirit of our country, then government has a legitimate role to play.” 

Such a totalitarian statement leaves no question that liberals want to re-define talk radio in America.  It eliminates the ability of the free market to choose what it wants to hear by forcing the intent of regulated balance of the Fairness Doctrine.  We must be aware of what is happening under our noses because the tactic of the new administration is to get it done before we can raise the red flags. 

Brian Jennings is a 40-year talk radio programming executive and author of Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio.

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?

It won’t stop.  In fact, it’s only beginning.  Much of the media, as Rush Limbaugh says, has become “butt boys” with the administration.  The fact of the matter is, there is no journalism in America.  There is only conservative talk radio and Fox News to oppose the administration.  They, in turn, call us ”tea-baggers.” I didn’t know that was something conservatives spent much time contemplating.

Much of this politically-correct hysteria is being driven by groups like Media Matters for America.  Headed by David Brock, this group has become America’s Speech Police.  At every opportunity, they attack conservative media personalities.  According to many of these conservative media personalities, Media Matters takes comments out of context to further their cause of accusing conservatives of being hateful.  I agree.  They are trying to destroy conservative values in America.  The way to do that is to destroy conservative media. 

As a long-time talk radio programmer, I can tell you this attack is not only real, it is the biggest danger we face in America.  We can talk about how the “porkulus bill” creates debt for generations to come.  We can point out the waste in the omnibus bill.  We can assert that Obama is endangering our nation to more terrorism.  But these leftists have a more important goal.  If they control speech and thought, they control all our rights as Americans.  All other rights hinge on our free speech rights.  No other rights matter if free speech rights are compromised.

They want to kill conservatism.  And, they are doing it – unless you speak up.   At a Tea Party rally, I saw some hope and optimism that Americans who have traditional core values are still hopeful.  Despite negative press by the mainstream “butt boys”, they are still optimistic that they can have an impact on the future of our great country.  I am also optimistic. 

But, please be aware.  Coming soon, there will be yet another change in direction in Washington DC.  The Federal Communications Commission will soon have a 3-2 Democrat majority and it’s the goal of liberals to force conservative voices aside in the media – as if they don’t control most of the media anyway.  If they begin regulating speech through new Fairness Doctrine-like regulations which Democrats favor, this nation will be lost.  Government has no right to regulate content in America.  But, Democrats think otherwise.  Just look at the myriad of comments favoring speech regulation that came out in January and February from Bill Clinton, Debbie Stabenow, Tom Harkin, Jerry Brown, and many others.  Coincidence?  Hardly.  It’s time to speak out against any potential speech controls in America. 

The left asserts this is paranoia.  But all we have to do it connect the dots.  Why would so many of them voice their support of a “Fairness Doctrine” type of regulation for the media in the first weeks of the new administration?  Why would they allow Senator Richard Durbin to pass an amendment with language that would allow them to force conservatives voices aside with stealth-like regulations which accomplish the goals of the Fairness Doctrine?  Why would Obama declare war on Rush Limbaugh?  Why would Hispanic and Islamic groups push the theory that conservative talk radio is “hate” radio and ask the FCC to investigate.  They claim they favor free speech…..but…..

I think we are on the brink of tyranny because of speech controls.  It’s a sad day in America when anyone suggests speech regulation.  Free speech isn’t pretty.  But, to remain free, we must keep government out of the regulation process.  Soon, the Senate will take up the confirmation of Obama’s FCC Chairman nominee, Julius Genachowski.  Beware. 

Brian Jennings is a 40-year talk radio programming veteran.  His book, endorsed by Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity will be out May 5th.  “Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio” can be viewed at www.censorshipbook.com.

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.) 

Obama supporters were incensed that the radio station would interview someone whom they accused of being a “hatchet man”, spreading what they considered to be lies and distortions about their chosen candidate.  Their intent was clear and to the point.  They wanted to intimidate WGN and force management to reverse its decision to put Kurtz on the air.  They urged their supporters to send intimidating e-mails and make phone calls to WGN radio to complain; the station was deluged with calls and e-mails.

This controversy developed into a major story not only in Chicago, on Obama’s home turf, but all across the country.  It was yet another frontal assault on free speech.  According to my long-time friend, former WGN Program Director Bob Shomper – who now programs WLS in Chicago – the controversy developed as a result of trying to give Obama’s campaign the opportunity to come on the radio show with Kurtz.  How ironic!  In other words, the station offered to fairly balance the show, but Obama supporters declined that offer and continued their intimidating tactics to try to prevent the interview from being aired.  Shomper said, “Instead, they e-blasted their national database to clog our call-in lines.”  Rather than choosing to debate the issues, the campaign resorted to intimidation.

Footnote:  Because the mainstream media endorsed and worshipped Obama, few of them will now leave the alter.  For their own sake, they need him to succeed.  Otherwise, they run the risk of a total credibility meltdown.  Journalism is dead in America.  That’s a topic for another day.  Thank you.

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.

The FCC will soon have a 3-2 Democrat majority.  It’s no secret that two of the Democrats serving on the FCC favor restoring balance to talk radio – in other words, they would move conservatives out and balance them with liberals.  They call it balance and diversity, but whenever government regulates free speech, it is censorship.  Whenever government proscribes a certain amount of speech, it is speech control.  John Madison who helped craft the First Amendment would roll over in his grave. 

This debate is one of the hottest topics on radio today and with the White House declaration of war on Rush Limbaugh there is almost a fever pitch in Washington by Democrats to take back the airwaves because they think conservatives dominate talk radio and Fox News.  That’s true.  But, we don’t dominate the rest of the media which includes hundreds of NPR stations, the liberal network Air America, dozens of cable news and public affairs channels, dozens of magazines, 1400 newspapers, and tens of thousands of Internet sites. 

On any given day, Americans can get any point of view anywhere which makes the argument for control of American airwaves moot, at best.  Yet, the debate is moving ahead and Democrats are carefully writing language for regulation of our broadcast media.  It is personal for them.  They want to control it all and they want to eliminate conservative views from the media. 

I’ll be writing more about this in the days and weeks ahead and through my contacts in the media will soon be publishing a book entitled Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio from Simon & Schuster on May 5th.  I hope to share key content with you and keep you posted on the fight for free speech under the new administration.  In the meantime, look out for the speech terrorists.  Check this out from the liberal censors on the left.  It states bluntly what they want to do – muzzle the right.  At least they get a gold star for their honesty.

The ongoing “War on Words” by the left in America is intensifying on many fronts.  Stay tuned.