Episode 5 - The Divided Dial

On the Media

WNYC Studios

Magazine, Newspapers, Media, 1st, Advertising, Social Sciences, Studios, Radio, Transparency, Tv, History, Science, News Commentary, Npr, Technology, Amendment, Newspaper, Wnyc, News, Journalism

4.6 • 8.7K Ratings

🗓️ 11 May 2023

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

If you discovered this series through Apple podcasts, or because you heard that we won a Peabody Award for our work; WELCOME! For our longtime listeners who have heard these episodes before, your weekly dose of On the Media will be available as ever, on Friday afternoon. Enjoy!

Episode 5: There's Something About Radio

Highly politicized, partisan companies like Salem have a hold on the airwaves — and they don’t plan to give it up. Senior Vice President of Salem, Phil Boyce speaks candidly to Katie about the personalities he handpicked to spread Salem’s message and about the company’s plans to expand into the media world off the airwaves. And in this final episode of the series we ask the perennial question: peddling election denialism seems to be a solid business model — but is it legal?

The Divided Dial is hosted by journalist and Fulbright Fellow Katie Thornton. Her written articles and audio stories have appeared in The Atlantic, 99% Invisible, The Washington Post, BBC, NPR, WNYC, Minnesota Public Radio, The Guardian, Bloomberg’s CityLab, National Geographic, and others. She is a lifelong radio nerd who got her start in media as a teenager, volunteering and working behind the scenes at radio stations for many years. You can follow her work on Instagram or on her website. The Divided Dial was edited by On the Media's executive producer, Katya Rogers. With production support from Max Balton and fact-checking by Tom Colligan, Sona Avakian, and Graham Hacia. Music and sound design by Jared Paul. Jennifer Munson is our technical director. Art by Michael Brennan. With support from the Fund for Investigative Journalism.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	A couple of years ago, on a long and lonely drive through northern Minnesota, I flipped
0:12.3	on the radio to keep me company.
0:14.8	My car stereo looped around the FM dial and stopped on the one station strong enough for
0:20.0	it to pick up.
0:21.3	It was playing focus on the family.
0:26.6	The long standing evangelical anti-LGBTQ show that's also a long time paying ministry
0:33.9	on Salem stations.
0:35.4	Until God helped him to see that homosexuality is incompatible with Scripture.
0:40.8	And I listened because I was curious, but also because it was a long ride.
0:46.9	And that's what was on.
0:48.2	All responsibility is Christians to keep the main thing, the main thing that is loving
0:53.5	others through Christ.
0:57.6	Radio is familiar, personal.
1:01.4	The hosts are with you as you drink your morning coffee in your car on your commute.
1:06.1	They're in the kitchen with you while you cook.
1:08.4	You're definitely on first name basis with them.
1:11.3	Even the national hosts might voice and add for the tire shop down the block.
1:16.6	Radio is intimate.
1:17.9	I love it.
1:19.2	And so does this guy.
1:20.9	Hi Katie.
1:21.9	Hello Mr. Boys.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from WNYC Studios, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of WNYC Studios and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.