There's No Such Thing as "Powerful Paid Programming"

[wadio]

If the relationship between "Free Talk Live" and the "Free State Project" is more than an arms-length transaction between program and sponsor, as I suspect it is

It's not. Anyone who knows about the Free State Project could tell you that.

Most bartered "programs" whose main "sponsor" is joined at the hip are set up that way for financial gain.  The warm and friendly host "recommends" the product or service.  The endorsement engenders confidence.  The audience doesn't know the money goes directly into his pocket.  In the case of FTL/FSP, the motive may not be financial gain, but the principle is the same. 

I think you're being confused because the guys actually believe in the project and are used to hearing hosts trying to sell something. The Free State Project isn't even a money making entity. I wouldn't be surprised if the FTL guys aren't even getting paid to do the spots. I'm not sure where the money would come from. They do have a real estate agent that advertises, but I don't think he's paying for the spots.

You seem to already know a lot about this, but perhaps you might want to hop on over to the FSP website and take a look at the minutes of a recent board meeting where they mention a $6000 expenditure for "advertising" on FTL.  It doesn't say for what time period, nor is there mention that this payment is part of a balanced advertising budget. 

The realtor, I'm sure, is happy to get his piece of the action when listeners take the bait and buy into the community.  Why wouldn't he be paying for the spots? 

This is sounding fishier and fishier .......

[HotTalker]

If $6000 "buys" a radio show with over 100 affiliates, I'm going to start saving my pennies.

[wadio]

... over 100 affiliates ...

That is scary.

[FTL_Ian]

Paranoid much, wadio?  You sound like a conspiracy theorist.

Really though, there's nothing nefarious or hidden going on here.  We've talked about this on-air often enough.  Here are some facts for you:

-We were promoting the Free State Project since before they were an advertiser, because we think it's a great idea.  That's why I moved to NH.
-The FSP is our oldest sponsor and is locked in at their original rate of $500 per month ($500 x 12 is $6,000).  They are getting a great deal.
-I'm actually a critic of the FSP.  They are bureaucratic and slow.

All that said, I was an activist since before I started Free Talk Live.

Does it bother you that a talk show host does more than just talk?  I actually do the things I talk about, like civil disobedience.

[wadio]

Does it bother you that a talk show host does more than just talk?

Yes is does.  Personally I don't want to be told how to live my life by a talk show host.  That includes people like Dave Ramsey, Joy Browne and Glenn Beck. 

I find it telling that a crackpot like Beck is able to hold onto radio affiliates (although stations in the major markets had the good sense to yank the show.)  It tells me that TV management pays closer attention to what's on their air. 

Radio apparently flies under the radar screen when it comes to content.  We've seen what happens when radio hosts goes on TV, make the same remarks they make every day on radio and stir up a hornet's nest. 

I guess what really bothers me about FTL is that it's represented to affiliates as a sort of benign alternative to the usual "left vs. right" agenda driven show, while it clearly has its own political agenda.  That isn't clearly disclosed, IMO. 

A couple of questions:

- Do your affiliates air a disclaimer at the beginning of each hour?

- If you don't have an agenda, why not dump FSP as a sponsor?  The $6,000/year you'd lose is nothing compared to the credibility you'd gain in the long term by not having a radical albatross around your neck. 

[HotTalker]

Personally I don't want to be told how to live my life by a talk show host.

Then listen to music on an iPod and stop posting here. Radio talk show hosts have opinions and share them. Just don't pay attention to the lyrics of the songs you listen to. Or read the life stories of the musicians who make the music. Or talk to anyone in public.

Avoiding other peoples' opinions might be a full time job for you. Perhaps you should just shut yourself in a dark room and never come out.

Or do you just not want to hear opinions that vary from yours. I'm going to guess this is the case and that you listen to some shows that you think should be more successful, but aren't. Then you blame the shows that are successful for the failure of ones who mirror your worldview. Sorry, Pacifica is never going to be a hit.

[wadio]

Radio talk show hosts have opinions and share them.

An "opinion" and an "agenda" are very different.  Don't you get that?

Then listen to music on an iPod and stop posting here.

Nice.  Since you've completely missed the point of the conversation, so I guess the best you can do is lash out. 

[HotTalker]

An "opinion" and an "agenda" are very different.  Don't you get that?

And neither is a bad thing to have on the radio. Don't you get that? Of course you do. You just don't want agendas you don't agree with on the air.

Nice.  Since you've completely missed the point of the conversation, so I guess the best you can do is lash out. 

I'm not the one accusing people I don't even know of unethical broadcasting practices.