After Oklahoma City: Talk Radio Responds : Our ‘Back Fence’

Talk radio is America’s back fence and the First Amendment’s playground. When the mainstream media had relegated David Koresh to the made-for-TV movie, talk hosts were still hearing outrage, not just from extremist militants but also from housewives, about the Waco debacle. Or, when the press had by and large ignored the militia movement, talk radio had been discussing these fringe organizations for more than a year.

Talk radio has its finger on the pulse of the American public. A few of these pulse-takers are venomous. But the majority do not incite violence or inspire hate and should not be blamed for the words of a dangerous few. Talk radio merely airs what the American people have to say, no matter how ugly or detestable we believe it to be.

Talk radio is the ultimate arena for free speech. Blaming talk radio for the bombing in Oklahoma City is condemning the Constitution for guaranteeing the right to speak openly.

In fact, by listening to the concerns of average citizens every day, radio hosts have an insight into the American mind-set that others seem to lack.

For instance, when print and television journalists were asking on April 19 about possible Middle Eastern connections to the Oklahoma City bombing, a talk-radio correspondent was the only one to ask about a link to Waco. Talk radio doesn’t inspire anything that isn’t already in the American heart.

Perhaps it’s time to turn down the accusations and turn up the radios.