I try to be at the forefront of trends, whether in the news/talk radio format or otherwise.
Our society has seen cracks. We have a rise in antisemitism, wars around the world, weak leadership in Washington and internationally.
Seemingly, the ceiling is crashing down upon us. Hope is perhaps a thing of the past. Colleges and universities are hocking degrees with no value to a career path and future. Narcissism has been amplified by social media.
Now, for some good news.
News/talk radio works best when we represent the people. I just listed a small number of problems in our society and world. There are people in this nation who really feel powerless. Does your station stand up for the people? Does your show understand their pain? Do you represent your listeners’ concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams?
Here is where news/talk radio can shine: Millennials and Gen Z are growing up. Regulations are choking out businesses and innovation. Who is there to represent these people? Are you? I like living in Realville. There are huge opportunities. Are you thinking this through?
We live in a world of disconnection which was amplified by the COVID pandemic. TikTok and Reddit do not offer solutions to our society’s ills. In fact, social media and the internet can only magnify these issues. The average household in the USA is less than three people. These individuals could be in any age group. Census figures for your community may indicate that up to 40% of people in their 30s, 40s, or 50s are single. They probably live alone. Humans are made for belonging.
What brings our society together? Religion? Community groups? Neighborhoods? I don’t know the answer to solve these questions. Do you? Do you know your neighbors? When was the last time you got together with friends? There is a huge subset of people who are alone in this world. These individuals could be successful in any outward metric. They could have a great job or live in a cool house. Who speaks for them?
There are people just struggling just to make it. They are homeowners. Married. Dual Careers. Kids. Nice cars. Yet every month they are falling a little bit behind. Student loans, underemployment, and rising costs in almost every aspect of their lives. The smiles on their faces are the false façade of posing in a modern society. Who is speaking for them?
There are business owners who struggle to make payroll. Their kids are eating ramen just to make sure that the employees can eat chicken. Increased taxation, material costs, healthcare costs, and growing salaries are eating the profits of these good people who have risked it all. Who is speaking for these good people?
Car-jackings are on the rise. Vandalism is creating a blight upon once proud neighborhoods. Criminals are on the streets again hours after their arrest only to commit crimes again. Really good people are stuck in terrible cities. The jobs have left the area. These people have little options to escape their reality. Who is speaking for them?
The epidemic of homeless veterans who are our heroes is a never-ending curse on America. The government seems more interested in migrants who have done nothing for the USA than those with physical, psychological scars from the horrors witnessed while supporting our country. Who is speaking for them?
There are children stuck in failing schools. Teachers unions are more interested in protecting members than raising a new generation of people. Who is speaking for these children and the future of our society?
This took me 15 minutes to think through. You probably can come up with dozens of other scenarios. This is the future of news/talk radio. Be the advocate of these people.
You will hear me often discuss entertainment first. Yes, you are doing a show. We are in show business. We are an avenue of escapism for your audience. That microphone in front of you is a gift and an honor to speak into it. There are responsibilities. Are you living up to it? Are you there for your listeners?
If you see injustice, you must be the amplifier. People in your community are working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Who is speaking for them?
If you are representing your listeners, you win. Lots of talk show hosts just want to be powerbrokers. These people have a dream of political power but are too chicken to quit their job to run for office. Who are you speaking for?
I stand for the people, I stand for those who are voiceless, and I stand for my station’s listeners. I am their voice. That is the correct answer. You know that I am right. I can’t force you to do the right thing. But, you must.
Peter Thiele is a weekly news/talk radio columnist for Barrett Media, and an experienced news/talk radio programmer. He recently served as program director for WHO/KXNO in Des Moines, IA. Prior to that role he held programming positions in New York City, San Francisco, Little Rock, Greenville, Hunstville, and Joplin. Peter has also worked as a host, account executive and producer in Minneapolis, and San Antonio. He can be found on Twitter at @PeterThiele.
