Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)– Today, Media Matters for America released a video on the media’s coverage of America’s number one talk radio host, Rush Limbaugh. In his keynote speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference last weekend, Limbaugh reasserted his claim that he hopes President Obama fails and that the economic recovery package fails. Conservative commentators and elected officials have not only defended Limbaugh’s divisive comments but have made a point of re-swearing their allegiance to him.
“Rush Limbaugh has served as the de facto leader of the Republican Party for the past two decades. He is undisputedly the most influential conservative voice in the media,” said Erikka Knuti, a spokesperson for Media Matters. “A radio host’s ability to control a major political party demonstrates the power of the conservative media. The American people should be aware of who is calling the shots in the Republican Party.”
Knuti continued: “Limbaugh is just the beginning. His show has spawned a new generation of ‘Little Limbaughs’ — local conservative radio hosts and right-wing bloggers who parrot his talking points and spread his message from coast to coast.”
Media Matters has documented Limbaugh’s effect on the vast network of lesser-known syndicated and regional radio hosts who have served as an echo chamber for his often extremist, inflammatory, and false rhetoric.
Yesterday, Media Matters launched the Limbaugh Wire, a resource center for all of the latest research on Limbaugh, whose show commands 13 million weekly listeners across 600 radio stations.
www.mediamatters.org/limbaughwire/
