Does the FCC's failure to fine Limbaugh represent regulatory capture?

[KharmaTrain]

27. Interesting...

Let's try a couple facts...Firstly Randi is on plenty of "non-subcription" over-the-air stations: http://ltradio.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Randi_Rhodes_affiliates

BTW...she also produces her show out of the same studios rushbo does, is on the same Palm Beach station and is syndicated by Premiere...why I used her as an example.

As one who worked in talk radio in the 80s and saw a lot of things first hand I find your description of what happened to AM quite amusing. Thanks to deregulation there isn't a place in the US where you don't have FM radio...or a repeater or translator. It was "de-regulation" that helped rushbo grow as only a handful of corporates saw his cheap programming as a way to replace hundreds of live talents. AM's ratings and revenues plunged in the late 80s and throughout the 90s as Wal-Marts replaced the local moms and pops that were the lifeblood of local radio...the marketplace looked to bigger and better...networks rather than local stations. So, yes, the marketplace chose to fund and support hate radio.

Progressive radio has nothing to do with LPFM...even though they may sound like it. Progressive radio has been hampered being heard on low power (not low power FM...a whole different animal) or "rimshot" AM signals that made it difficult for them to compete with the stronger, more established hate stations. Progressive talk also suffers from their demographic profile...far different than those who listen to hate AM radio (white, male, 50+) and tend to listen to other formats...NPR and public stations.

BTW...been a member and supporter of the Prometheus Project since 2001...very familar with their work...