I am calling bullshit on talk radio. This isn’t because I dislike it or disagree with it, I make my call because it is no longer fulfilling the role of informing and energizing its listeners. Increasingly it is becoming an echo chamber who primary purpose is to enrich the hosts rather than influencing the politics.

A few months ago there was an excellent post in Human Events on this very subject. It’s worth reading in full because the post calls out the problem afflicting conservative talk radio, greed. In soccer terms, this is an own-goal that hurts the communications arm of the conservative movement. What is ironic is that talk radio is one of the few areas where the message of limited-government and fiscal responsibility is communicated regularly. Sadly, the excesses of the major hosts are undoing their own hard-won successes.

Two years ago I had a discussion with Vox about this subject. It seems that talk radio is the equivalent of training wheels for center-right citizens, therefore it is of limited value. The value of conservative shows consists of it being a gateway to other, deeper and more effective means of political involvement. Outside of that, talk radio has devolved into a marginally useful and increasingly ineffective infotainment offering.

Sadly, there are even local shows that are being driven off the air as radio stations adjust hosts and show format. In the Phoenix market the only one worth listening to is Mike Broomhead now that Jim Sharpe has been cut loose by KFYI. I think the only salvation for conservative talk is with podcasting because on-air shows have mostly lost their value. Therefore I call B.S.

UPDATE: Looks like Jim Sharpe landed on his feet, check out his show when it airs.