Pulp Radio

          While the world laments the fading of quality journalism in the face of media takeover by huge corporations, a whole new breed of stars is on the rise in radio. It used to be morning chat teams who shared humor and homey patter with their listeners. Many are still around. Then it was the “shock jocks” that ascended the throne. But the real comers these days are the “talk radio” opinion mongers who ply their trade with sensationalism, conspiracy theories, exploitative exhortations, and fear.

           Spin the dial any time of day and you will find somebody on pulp radio screaming ‘scandal !’ and telling you how the Constitution of our great country has been sullied, or the honor of our military fighters has been tarnished, or how our country is being overrun by unsavory elements that must be expelled, or how lascivious and immoral people in our midst are destroying our religious freedom.

           Around here, we call it “Pulp Radio” because it is cheap and simplistic and caters to fear, hatred, and ignorance. Pulp Radio is doing as much damage in America as any other wrong-headed influence. It contributes to political gridlock and emotional adherence to unfounded accusations.

           It is clear that our system of education has not taught us an essential skill—that of asking, and establishing by fact, “What is true and what is false among the things that are found in radio, television, print, and internet media?” That failure has come home to roost in Pulp Radio.