Waves of Hate: Verbal Violence on the Air

• NCJ Number: 151705
• Author(s): R B Smith
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the International Conference on Violence in the Media, New York, New York, October 3-4, 1994.

Annotation

This paper discusses the ways in which radio talk shows influence societal opinions.

Abstract

As technology expands, making talk shows even more prevalent, this influence can only increase. This paper focuses in particular upon the use of verbal violence by two of American radio's top personalities, Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh. Both men have written best-selling books and both have loyal and large popular followings. Stern talks mostly about sexually related topics and popular culture, professing to talk the way all men do among themselves; Limbaugh's show expresses his conservative political opinions. This paper cites numerous examples of how these two talk show hosts have been able to incite their fans to physical and verbal violence through their use of offensive language, insults, and calls for action on the air. 6 references