Call Talk Radio / Contact Media
Tips for Calling Talk Radio | National Progressive Talk Radio Shows
Tips for Contacting Media | Media Matters for America
Radio/TV Show Contact Info | Network/Publication Contact Info
Tips for Calling Talk Radio
Call early and keep redialing...
Call early in the show so you can be sure to be included in the program. If the Call-In line is busy, just keep redialing the number. You'll usually get through, especially on a local program.
Plan what you are going to say...
Print or write out your main talking points to help you plan what you are going to say before you are on the air. Try to find a personal angle to make your story more compelling. To help you position your comments, you might ask yourself, "How does this issue affect me and my family"? While you're waiting, listen to the entire segment so that you'll know what's been said. You'll usually be able to hear the program over the phone while you're waiting to go on the air or keep your radio on. Keep a pencil and paper handy and jot down what the previous callers and guests have said, so that you can avoid asking a question that has just been asked or making a comment that has just been made.
Know the single point you want to make...
Most radio station talk shows filter their calls with people called screeners, who will ask you a few questions to determine if you'll get to talk to the show host on the air. When you get connected, be prepared to give the screener a quick one-sentence summary of what you will say. The more clear and to-the-point you are, the better your chances of getting on air. Use the talking points as a starting point but don't read them. Nothing sounds worse to a screener or an audience then a "reader", and you won't get on the show.
Be clear and concise...
When you get on the air, sound upbeat and enthusiastic. Get to your point quickly. If you are referring to something another person has said, be sure to quickly summarize it for listeners who may not have heard it. Keep your answers brief and to the point, and no matter what, no name calling, arguing, or hysterics! You definitely won't get your points across, and will most likely be taken off the program immediately.
Eliminate background noise...
Keep the focus on you, not distracting noises. Try to call from a quiet room and don't use a portable or cell phone. During the interview, turn your radio off to eliminate feedback.
National Progressive Talk Radio Shows
Show: Politically Direct with David Bender
Host: David Bender
When: Weeknights
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Show: On the Real
Host: Chuck D. & Gia Garel
When: Sunday - Monday
Time: 11:00pm - 1:00am
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Call Live!: 1-866-303-2270
(Sunday - Monday from 11:00pm - 1:00am)
Show: The Jim DeFede Show
Host: Jim DeFede
When: Weekdays
Time: 6:00am - 9:00am
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Call Live!: 1-866-801-0940
Show: The Jon Elliot Show: The Most Dangerous Liberal in America
Host: Jon Elliot
When: Weeknights
Time: 10:00pm - 1:00am
Call Live!: 1-866-303-2270
Show: The Steve Earle Show
Host: Steve Earle
When: Sunday
Time: 10:00pm - 11:00pm
Call Live!: 1-866-303-2270
Show: Radio Nation with Laura Flanders
Host: Laura Flanders
When: Saturday
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Call Live!: 1-866-303-2270
Show: The Thom Hartman Show
Host: Thom Hartmann
When: Weeknights
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Listen Live! Stream (Noon - 3:00pm)
Call Live!: 1-866-440-THOM (8466) - (Weekdays from Noon - 3:00pm)
24-Hour Voiceline: 503-323-6620
Show: Lionel
Host: Lionel
When: Weeknights
Time: Midnight - 5:00am
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Show: The Rachel Maddow Show
Host: Rachel Maddow
When: Weeknights
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Show: The Stephanie Miller Show
Host: Stephanie Miller
When: Weekdays
Time: 9:00am - Noon
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Call Live!: 1-800-STEPH-1-2
Show: The Mike Malloy Show: Speaking Truth to Power
Host: Mike Malloy
When: Weeknights
Time: 9:00pm - Midnight
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Call Live!: 1-800-989-1480
Show: "Ring of Fire" with Mike Papantonio & Robert Kennedy Jr.
Host: Mike Papantonio & Robert Kennedy Jr.
When: Saturday
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Station: WINZ-940AM
Listener Call-In line always open at 1-866-389-FIRE
Show: The Mark Riley Show
Host: Mark Riley
When: Weekdays
Time: 5:00am - 6:00am
Station: WINZ - 940AM
Show: The Randi Rhodes Show
Host: Randi Rhodes
When: Weekdays
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Stations: WINZ - 940AM & WJNO - 1290AM
Call Live!: 1-866-303-2270
Show: The Ed Schultz Show
Host: Ed Schultz
When: Weekdays
Time: Noon - 3:00pm on WINZ - 940AM
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm on WJNO - 1290AM
Call Live!: Weekdays from Noon - 3:00pm
24-Hour Voiceline: 1-877-934-6833
Show: Majority Report with Sam Seder
Host: Sam Seder
Time: 9:00am - Noon
Show: Young Turks: Rebel Headquarters
Host: Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz & Jill Pike
When: Weekdays
Time: 6:00am - 9:00am
Call Live!: 1-866-303-2270
Tips for Contacting Media
Contact media show hosts and networks to express your progressive viewpoint and/or to counter misinformation, particularly from conservative hosts and organizations!
When sending emails or letters, always be polite and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and wherever possible, offer factual proof to support your opinion (see Media Matters below).
Comment particularly if you feel that the host or organization has presented inaccurate or distorted information, has treated progressive guests unfairly, or if you feel the program failed to show balance in its presentation of information. Be sure to indicate exactly what you would like the host or media outlet to do differently in the future.
Conversely, don't forget to send emails to support programs that offer positive progressive views and fair programming!
Media Matters is a web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. Each day the site offers a wealth of factual information to specifically rebut inaccurate and misleading comments made by media hosts and organizations.
For information regarding comments by specific hosts or personalities, Click Here!
For information about shows or publications, Click Here!
For information concerning specific issues, Click Here!
To sign up to receive daily or weekly email update alerts, Click Here!
Radio/TV Show Contact Info
Show: Glenn Beck Program
Show: Situation Room w/ Wolf Blitzer
You may also contact us by clicking this link.
Show: Neil Boortz Show
Show: Your World w/ Neil Cavuto
Show: CNN Headline News
Show: Ann Coulter
Show: Lou Dobbs Tonight
You may also contact us by clicking this link.
Show: Drudge Report/Matt Drudge
You may also contact us by clicking this link.
Show: FOX News Sunday
Show: FOX & Friends
Show: Big Story w/ John Gibson
Show: Hannity & Colmes/ Sean Hannity
You may also contact us by clicking this link.
Show: Special Report w/ Brit Hume
You may also contact us by clicking this link.
Show: Laura Ingraham
Show: Rush Limbaugh Show
Show: Hardball w/ Chris Matthews
Show: Dennis Miller Show
Show: Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann
Show: Bill O'Reilly Show
You may also contact us by clicking this link.
Show: Meet the Press w/ Tim Russert
Show: Savage Nation w/ Michael Savage
Fax: 415-339-9383
Show: Scarborough Country w/ Joe Scarborough
(Other hosts not on this list can be found at Media Matters)
Network/Publication Contact Info
Address: One CNN Center, Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30303-5366
Phone: 404-827-1500
Fax: 404-827-1906
Address: 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 1-888-369-4762
Click Here! to send an email
KSFO-560AM
(Matt Drudge, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh Shows)
MSNBC TV
Address: One MSNBC Plaza, Secaucus, N.J. 07094
Click Here! to send an email
Address: 635 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: 202-513-2000
Address: 15260 Ventura Blvd. 5th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818-377-5300
Fax: 818-377-5333
Toll-Free Phone: 800-533-8686
Address: P.O. Box 3755, Central Point, Oregon 97502
Phone: 541-664-8827
Fax: 541-664-6250
Click Here! to send an email to WSJ Editorial Staff
Click Here! to send an email to WSJ Feedback
(Other hosts not on this list can be found at Media Matters)
