The Fairness Doctrine and Talk Radio

While talk-radio hosts certainly do attract large and loyal followings, the worry that the talkers have a huge or unfair influence on public policy is exaggerated, says DePauw Unviersity communications professor Jeffrey McCall. And he says the Fairness Doctrine would be an ineffective and perhaps unconstitutional remedy to limit the reach of such political-talk-show hosts as Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham.

Do Talk Show Hosts Get Too Much Credit?

Is the power of political talk-show hosts overrated? Jeffrey McCall, professor of communication at DePauw University, says a recent study showed that well over 80 percent of talk radio listeners say that their voting choices are not influenced by talk radio. "I believe that most talk radio listeners are independent thinkers who don't just want to get in line with the thinking of even their favorite talk hosts," McCall says.

Viewers Want Better TV Political Coverage

Numerous polls show that the public wants a different kind of television election coverage - with increased focus on where candidates stand on issues and more coverage of lesser-known candidates. This is not likely to happen soon, says DePauw University communications professor Jeffrey McCall. That's because it's easier and cheaper to cover elections by discussing the latest poll numbers and celebrity supporters and by showing and analyzing Hillary Clinton’s teary eyes.

Entire Nation Rejects "Kid Nation"

The controversial CBS reality show "Kid Nation" is tanking. Its ratings are down about 25 percent since its debut and it currently finishes last in its time slot. DePauw communications professor Jeffrey M. McCall says it shows Americans don’t appreciate a network exploiting kids for crass financial gain.

Non-News-News

What kind of message does the media send with its wall-to-wall coverage of celebrity incidents like Paris Hilton's incarceration? DePauw University's Jeffrey McCall fears the message is: "This is the most important thing we have to tell you."

Remote-Control Kids

Leaders in researching television's impact on kids say the media's overwhelming influence on kids should be considered a national public health issue. DePauw University communications professor Jeffrey M. McCall says legislators are gearing up to respond to such calls, but he warns that legislative initiatives can't help kids whose parents ignore their duty.

A Ticklish Matter of "Law and Order"

NBC yanked episodes of its show "Law and Order" featuring Fred Thompson from its schedule after he officially announced his candidacy for president. Would running them violate federal equal-time regulations - even the syndicated reruns on lower rated cable channels like TNT and USA? DePauw University Communications Professor Jeffrey M. McCall says maybe not, and that anyone who presses such a claim runs the risk of looking like a whiner and giving Thompson even more attention.