John Eggerton reports in Broadcasting & Cable that the National Hispanic Media Coalition will ask the FCC to launch an inquiry into hate speech on radio and TV. but is not looking to bring back the so-called fairness doctrine.

“We are asking the FCC to open an inquiry to raise public awareness, to collect information about the extent and effect of hate speech, and to explore options for countervailing or reducing the negative impacts of such speech,” said Jessica Gonzalez, an attorney with the Institute for Public Representation, which will file the petition.

A spokeswoman for the NHMC pointed out that those options do not include asking the FCC to reimpose the fairness doctrine, which once required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues. Instead, she said, the effort is more about raising awareness of the problem.

“We are very respectful of the first amendment and free speech,” said NHMC President Alex Nogales in announcing a new three-pronged effort to combat what he called the “hateful rhetoric, particularly against the immigrant minority communities, espoused by irresponsible TV and radio talk show host on American airwaves.” The debate over immigration reform has been a staple on talk radio, for example.

You read it here first!

CNN is reporting that embattled Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich could have a future in the talk-radio business.

Bob Shromper, the program director of Chicago’s WLS-AM, said on January 23 that he’s prepared to offer Blagojevich his own show if the governor agrees to resign from office rather than be forcibly removed by the state Senate. Shromper said “he wants the governor to step down immediately, so to spare the state of further embarrassment,” according to CNN.

No word on Shromper’s plan to spare WLS-AM of further embarrassment though!

Jeff is “THE voice of progressive talk in the Valley” out near Phoneix, Arizona — and all over the cyberspace world as well, of course. So give a listen here, and as Jeff’s under-assistant West Coast promo man likes to say, “stay tuned if YOU’RE PROUD TO BE A LIBERAL!”

Even Faux News was shocked at “Rush Limbaugh’s Shocking Words for President Obama!”

Here’s a taste of his interview with another “Great American:”

HANNITY: Coming off record-ratings year for you, but you “you are a passionate conservative. You’ve defined conservatives for many people in this country for years. He represents the antithesis in terms of his world view.

So then the question becomes, do you want him to succeed?

LIMBAUGH: Now “this “I am so glad that he asked me that question. That you asked me this question.

HANNITY: I’m glad to.
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LIMBAUGH: If he does not eliminate the Bush tax cuts, I would call that success. So yes, I would hope he would succeed if he acts like Reagan, but if he’s going to do FDR, if he’s going to do the new, new deal all over which we will call here the raw deal, why would I want him to succeed?

Look, he’s my president. The fact that he is historic is irrelevant to me now. It matters not at all. I “if he is going to implement a far left “look it. I think it’s already decided. $2 trillion in stimulus? The growth of government. I think the intent here is to create as many dependant Americans as possible looking to government for their hope and salvation.

If he gets nationalized health care, I mean, it’s over, Sean. We’re never going to roll that back. That’s the end of America as we have known it because that’s then going to set the stage for everything being government owned, operated, or provided.

Why would I want that to succeed? I don’t believe in that. I know that’s not how this country is going to be great in the future, it’s not what made this country great.

So I shamelessly say, no, I want him to fail…

The new owners of Clear Channel Communications are cutting 1,850 positions, or about 9 percent of its staff, effective immediately, the New York Times reports.

Parent company CC Media, formed when Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners acquired Clear Channel in July, has suffered a revenue downturn recently due to a shortfall of advertising. Nonetheless, “Everyone in our investor group, on the board and in the executive leadership team remains bullish about the long-term growth prospects for Clear Channel,” Mark P. Mays, Clear Channel’s chief executive, wrote in a memorandum to employees — at least those that are still around…

Air America has renewed Rachel Maddow’s contract and given her a new time slot — a single-hour radio show during morning drive.

“Rachel is a unique talent with an unlimited future,” said Air America CEO Bennett Zier in an email press release. “We are delighted that Air America remains her radio home.”

Maddow’s morning show will begin Feb. 2, as “The Ron Reagan Program” expands from one to three hours weekdays (from 6-9 p.m.,) where it will absorb Maddow’s current two hours in the Air America lineup.

“We’re elated with Maddow’s continued commitment to Air America,” said Air America senior vice president Bill Hess. “As millions of Americans now know, Rachel has become a breakout star and our affiliates and listeners will continue to benefit from her wit, intelligence and insight.”

Talk radio giant Clear Channel Communications is under new ownership at last — and the new bosses are about to begin implementing a slash-and-burn restructuring plan to cut $400 million in costs , according to the New York Post

The restructuring will include layoffs as well as cuts to programming budgets, the Post reports, and the “company is also likely to move toward a “national programming” model that would require less local-level staffing, despite being criticized in the past for a similar action using centralized disc jockeys that made it appear as though they were broadcasting from local stations.”

A Clear Channel spokeswoman declined to comment.

The blogs were all a-twitter over Barack Obama’s special sitdown with right-wing media folks at George Will’s house recently. Was El Rushbo, the “Godfather” of conservative talk radio, secretly attending the talkfest? After all, he took the day off from his radio program and journeyed to Washington…

It turns out, however, while that the Grand Poobah DID venture to the nation’s capital, it wasn’t to meet the President-elect. Instead, Limbaugh met with the disgraced and disgraceful current occupant of the Oval Office. Brian at the Radio Equalizer blog has the story…