Radio

The Impact of Radio on American Politics,Life, and Public Opinion

November 18, 2008

Lesson Outline

ο Lectureν History, types of programs, benefits and

drawbacks

ο Audio clips from various programs

ο Discussion

ο Exit Ticket

What are we going to learn?

ο How has radio affected U.S. politicsthroughout history?

ο What types of radio programs are the mostuseful for gaining information about theworld?

ο What are the benefits of radio?Drawbacks?

The War of the Worlds

Radio as a New Technology…

ο First widespread use was among shipsν Navigation and communication

ο Took many years after its invention forcompanies to make any profit

ο 1935-1950 = Golden Age of Radioν 2 of 3 homes had radio sets in1935ν Advertisers shifting from newspapers to radioν 20 regional networks broadcasting news and

entertainment 24 hrs. a day

FDR’s Fireside Chats

ο Radio addresses by FDR directly to theAmerican peopleν Very popular --> more listeners than the most

popular shows

ο Started during the Great Depressionν Urged people to support him and his policies

ο Set a precedent of presidents directlyaddressing the electorate

Radio as Entertainment

ο Radio Dramaν By the 1940’s it was the leading entertainment

ν With the invention of T.V. in the 50’s it lostpopularity

ν Most famous broadcast was Orson Welle’sWar of the Worlds

The Rise of Talk Radio

ο Pundits: A journalist or personality whofrequently offers his or her perspective onnational affairs in the media.

ο Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, RachelMaddow, Al Franken

ο News or entertainment?

News Radio

ο National Public Radio

ο Local News stations

ο Free from bias?

Let’s Listen To Some Clips…

ο Rachel Maddowν Tone?ν Bias?

ο Sean Hannityν Tone?ν Bias?

ο National Public Radioν Tone?ν Bias?

Which Clip Was The Most…

ο Objective?ο Biased?ο Entertaining?ο Informative?ο Boring?

ο Which one would you listen to on aregular basis?

Benefits and Drawbacks of Radio

ο Benefits ο Drawbacks

Exit Ticket

ο On a piece of paper please finish thefollowing sentences:ν One thing I enjoy about the way you teach is…

ν Two things I think you could do better are…