After Words with Brian Jennings

Brian Jennings talked about his book Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio (Threshold Editions; May 5, 2009). In his book the conservative talk-show programmer decries efforts by Democratic politicians to revive the Fairness Doctrine. The doctrine, enacted in 1979 and repealed by the Reagan administration in 1987, required airing opposing viewpoints on television and radio. The popularity of conservative talk-radio programs and the consolidation of ownership of broadcasters has raised concerns about the need for more balanced voices. But Mr. Jennings argues that regular media, including NPR, and the Internet offer multiple channels for liberal views. He interviewed other talk-show hosts for their perspectives on the Fairness Doctrine as well as offering a historical perspective on the growth of conservative talk radio. He claims that it grew out of the pent-up frustration of conservative listeners and, in the name of free speech, invites liberals to do the same rather than make back-door efforts to re-regulate the airwaves. The guest interviewer was Monica Crowley.

Brian Jennings is a talk radio programmer who served as national vice president of talk programming for Citadel Broadcasting for over a decade and served as programming head to over 40 radio stations nationwide. A national award-winning journalist, he has also worked as a consultant to national personalities.

Monica Crowley worked as a foreign policy assistant to former President Richard Nixon from 1990 until his death in 1994. She is the author of Nixon off the Record: His Candid Commentary on People and Politics and Nixon in Winter. Ms. Crowley has appeared as an analyst and commentator on many radio and television programs and in 2002 she began hosting “The Monica Crowley Show” from New York City. close