Talk Radio: Predictors of Use and Effects on Attitudes about Government

Abstract

Early studies portrayed the talk radio listener, and the caller in particular, as more alienated and less politically and socially active. The research here, using national survey data, finds that the portrait of the talk radio audience has changed to one more positive in terms of socio-demographic characteristics and political participation. However, talk radio is also found to be associated with a number of negative political factors such as cynicism about government, lower perceptions of government's responsiveness to citizen needs, and more extreme attitudes. The differences between nonlisteners, listeners, and callers are discussed.