This document discusses the impact of radio on American politics and society over time. It covers the history of radio from its early uses to its golden age from 1935-1950. It highlights how Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats" used radio to directly address the public. The rise of talk radio and partisan shows is also examined. The document aims to educate students on the different types of radio programs and their potential benefits and biases through audio clips and discussion.

1. Radio
The Impact of Radio on American Politics,
Life, and Public Opinion
November 18, 2008

2. Lesson Outline
ο Lecture
ν History, types of programs, benefits and
drawbacks
ο Audio clips from various programs
ο Discussion
ο Exit Ticket

3. What are we going to learn?
ο How has radio affected U.S. politics
throughout history?
ο What types of radio programs are the most
useful for gaining information about the
world?
ο What are the benefits of radio?
Drawbacks?

4. The War of the Worlds

5. Radio as a New Technology…
ο First widespread use was among ships
ν Navigation and communication
ο Took many years after its invention for
companies to make any profit
ο 1935-1950 = Golden Age of Radio
ν 2 of 3 homes had radio sets in1935
ν Advertisers shifting from newspapers to radio
ν 20 regional networks broadcasting news and
entertainment 24 hrs. a day

6. FDR’s Fireside Chats
ο Radio addresses by FDR directly to the
American people
ν Very popular --> more listeners than the most
popular shows
ο Started during the Great Depression
ν Urged people to support him and his policies
ο Set a precedent of presidents directly
addressing the electorate

7. Radio as Entertainment
ο Radio Drama
ν By the 1940’s it was the leading entertainment
ν With the invention of T.V. in the 50’s it lost
popularity
ν Most famous broadcast was Orson Welle’s
War of the Worlds

8. The Rise of Talk Radio
ο Pundits: A journalist or personality who
frequently offers his or her perspective on
national affairs in the media.
ο Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Rachel
Maddow, Al Franken
ο News or entertainment?

9. News Radio
ο National Public Radio
ο Local News stations
ο Free from bias?

10. Let’s Listen To Some Clips…
ο Rachel Maddow
ν Tone?
ν Bias?
ο Sean Hannity
ν Tone?
ν Bias?
ο National Public Radio
ν Tone?
ν Bias?

11. Which Clip Was The Most…
ο Objective?
ο Biased?
ο Entertaining?
ο Informative?
ο Boring?
ο Which one would you listen to on a
regular basis?

12. Benefits and Drawbacks of Radio
ο Benefits ο Drawbacks

13. Exit Ticket
ο On a piece of paper please finish the
following sentences:
ν One thing I enjoy about the way you teach is…
ν Two things I think you could do better are…