Petition Drive Calls for WTAQ to Add Progressive Voice to Right-Wing Lineup

MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now has launched a petition drive in the Green Bay listening area calling for WTAQ-AM to add a progressive voice to its endless line-up of ultra-right wing programming. The action comes in response to a recent incident involving a WTAQ host and an unsubstantiated attack on the Lieutenant Governor, which underscored the absence of a progressive counterpoint voice on the station.

“It’s no wonder the attacks against the Lieutenant Governor were fed to WTAQ-AM’s most visible local talker, given its endless parade of on-air right-wingers,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now Executive Director. “WTAQ should do the right thing, learn from this incident and find at least one progressive voice to balance Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Savage and the rest of their right-wing lineup.”

Recently, WTAQ host Jerry Bader reported irresponsible and unsubstantiated rumors about the Lieutenant Governor. Bader eventually retracted the comments, but the rumor had already spread to right-wing blogs and Lt. Governor Lawton was forced to answer questions about the Bader comments.

Bader subsequently retracted the comments, offered an apology and received a two-week suspension from station management. One Wisconsin Now has begun the petition drive to convince WTAQ an additional remedy is to create some ideological balance on the station.

“Our goal is to increase the number of progressive voices to reduce the virtual monopoly the right wing has on talk radio,” said Ross. “No one is calling for the government to force WTAQ to act, completely the opposite; we want to help build this movement for radio balance among listeners and grassroots activists throughout the Fox Valley.”