Chapter 7 Journal Entry Part B.

Radio is described as "the most personal of the media," why is that? Why do you think music is an important part in radio programming? Why is talk radio so popular?

This is an interesting topic for me because I never really got into the radio like most kids do during Junior High. Because of that, I really don't know any radio stations, except 1160AM and 1400AM. I think that radio is most personal because when people listen to the radio it is like having a one-on-one appointment with someone, or with a song. A lot of time spent listening to the radio is time spent alone driving in the car or at home or at work. Radio is probably the one mass medium that most people use alone, excepting the internet I guess. A lot of people listen to the radio on the internet now with Pandura.

I think that music is vital in radio programming because that is what a lot of listeners want to hear. Radio is a place where people find new songs they like. Once they hear new songs that they either like, or that are popular, they can go online and buy them. Everybody loves music and radio stations continue because people like differnent genres of music. Teens listen to one thing and adults listen to another. Nobody wants just talk radio - people love music! It's nice to have the radio to play music in the car, at work, at home, etc.

However, sometimes I think there is just too much noise. I love quiet and driving in the car is one of the only times when I can have just quiet. I enjoy a quiet home and a quiet drive. It gives me time to think and to meditate. When I do listen to the radio I listen to NewsRadio or talk radio because most of the songs they play on the radio aren't to my liking. :)

I think people like talk radio because they like to hear someone express their ideas or to stand up for a certain viewpoint. They like to listen to someone else talking and having a conversation. They also like to know what is going on in the world. The interesting thing is that those who listen to the talk radio shows (Hannity or Rush Limbaugh) are usually people who agree 100% with what is being said. It's as though the people listening simply need validation of their viewpoints. Also, my Grandma loves talk radio, and I think it is just because she is so lonely. She never gets out and she never socializes much. I don't think she has had many friends in her life, and so for her, talk radio becomes a social outlet, an imaginary neighborhood in a way. Talk radio also gets people thinking and developing their own opinions. It allows callers to share their thoughts and opinions, and thus, the caller can be involved in the on-going conversation as well.