With barbs between conservative media figures being traded almost constantly, some news/talk radio hosts have said they are simply going to ignore what happens in those online circles. Tony Katz believes that’s a bad strategy.
While Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and Tucker Carlson sling insults at Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin (and vice versa), Katz believes those ignoring those stories are making a fundamental miscalculation.
“I don’t think anybody who has had any level of success or has any level of audience is worried — about on the radio side — what their boss is going to say if they know they want to say this thing to their audience,” Katz said. “But the idea of going more and more into the abyss is something that happens on the online side and doesn’t happen to the levels that are on the radio side. So the question is: do we decide to pay attention to recognize what’s happening on that online side?
“People are interested in what’s happening in their life, so the economic conversations, cultural conversations that we’re seeing in ‘news reports’ matters, but don’t deny that Candace, Tucker, and Megyn Kelly have huge audiences. They’re massive audiences. And those people are getting messages from them and getting information from them.”
Katz continued by arguing that who is arguing isn’t as important for news/talk radio hosts to discuss what they’re arguing about.
“These people have huge audiences, and we’re supposed to be engaging when something doesn’t actually pass the smell test, when they’re engaged in something that is truly valueless and dangerous. And that isn’t the necessary thing for the coalition. We’re supposed to say ‘That’s out.’ And if the conversation is, who are we to decide? Well, I think that we have an audience, and we’re supposed to tell the audience exactly where we are,” said Katz. “I think we should say so, and I don’t think we should ignore these people and this madness.”
The Tony Katz Today and 93 WIBC morning host argued that those who are afraid to take a stance on certain topics relating to what has those conservative media members quarreling likely don’t have a seat at the table in the first place.
“If you’re not willing to give your audience the level of conviction of, ‘Here’s where I’m at, and here’s why. You might disagree with me, and that’s okay, I’ll catch you tomorrow.’ If you’re afraid to do that, then where is the place for you? Certainly, I can’t imagine a radio place for you.”
While those figures are lobbing insults at one another, making themselves the story, Tony Katz believes that it actually highlights the differences between news/talk radio host and podcaster/conservative influencer.
“There’s no doubt that people can show that ‘I create content for the daily trend’ and look at all the success,” said Katz. “And I have found that being all MAGA, all the time, look at the money.’ And I’ve found that being all against MAGA all the time, look at the money. I think that the radio host offers better value, because I think they’re forced by format and by precedent. I think it’s a good precedent to say ‘Ok, here’s what’s being said over here. Here’s the nutty thing that got said, here’s what it is over here, here’s the way other’s look at it. And here’s why these people are wrong, and here’s my opinion on it.’
“I think the person who is just playing to one fiefdom at all costs is doing their audience a disservice, because you’re not giving the most well-rounded presentation of what the situation is all about,” he concluded.
Katz admitted that Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson have been wrong to court Nick Fuentes, and at times, speak highly of the controversial figure. He also added that Candace Owens has said “vicious” things about Turning Point USA and those close to Charlie Kirk in the months following his death.
However, he believed that nationally syndicated news/talk host Erick Erickson was wrong when quoted by Barrett Media earlier this week, saying he largely ignores the topic of the conservative media figures arguing with one another because it isn’t of importance to his audience. Tony Katz says it does matter to listeners.
“To pretend it’s not happening and say, ‘Oh, my audience doesn’t need to know about this’? That’s a mistake,” Katz argued. “Does it need to be the focus? No. Does it need to be part of you being an aware human being and and the fact that your audience is too — whether they say it’s a top line thing or not? I talk about food, I talk about bourbon, and cigars. I do it on Eat, Drink, Smoke. And I do it on my own show. Because sometimes you need a break from 24/7 politics. Also, it’s a recognition that other things are going on in the world. That you’re a well-rounded person that has more than just ‘Republicans, good. Democrats, bad,’ in your lifestyle.”
Katz concluded by stating that he believes what has been labeled as infighting highlights the differences between news/talk radio hosts and podcasters, and believes the advantage sides with the radio hosts.
“We’re the better content. We’re the better, more well-rounded content,” he reiterated. “There is actual conservatism being discussed from political right talk radio. There is depth in the subjects … here’s an opportunity to share that and show that. But part of the well-rounded is not ignoring what’s happening in the online space.”
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
