Charting Our Progress

Advertisers

According to Media Matters, more than 65 advertisers have publicly announced that they are excluding their ads from running during The Rush Limbaugh Show. Reports indicate that more than 100 advertisers have taken steps to make sure their ads don’t run in Limbaugh’s or other “hate radio” shows.

Radio Stations

In March, two radio stations announced they had dropped The Rush Limbaugh Show from their line-ups because the host had crossed a line with his offensive tirade against Sandra Fluke. Kudos to:

  • WBEC – Pittsfield, Mass.
  • KPUA – Hilo, Hawaii

In April, Premiere Networks announced that in the Philadelphia market it will move The Rush Limbaugh Show from the CBS affiliate to a less powerful station. (It is unclear if this move is related to Rush’s recent slurs.)

Rush’s Ratings

National NOW Campaign

NOW is organizing chapters across the country to spread the “Enough Rush” message in their communities. Activists are urging local businesses to pull their ads from The Rush Limbaugh Show, and they’re calling on radio stations to stop airing Rush’s show altogether.

When Rush attacked law student Sandra Fluke for testifying in support of birth control coverage, various media outlets called on NOW for comment. President Terry O’Neill has given numerous interviews. Examples:

Missouri NOW Campaign

[image - toilet paper, Missouri NOW's Flush Rush Campaign]Missouri NOW launched a campaign to “Flush Rush” when Republican State House Speaker Steve Tilley announced plans to unveil a statue of Rush Limbaugh in the Missouri capitol building. Rush’s bust would join those of famous Missourians, including Mark Twain, Harry Truman and Walt Disney. Missouri NOW members and other activists sent rolls or sheets of toilet paper with the message Flush Rush to Speaker Tilley. On March 19, Missouri NOW delivered some 500 rolls of toilet paper to Tilley’s office. Here is a sample of local media coverage:

In addition, Columbia NOW currently has a petition calling on local radio station KFRU to take Rush off the air. The petition is closing in on 500 signatures.

Grand Rapids NOW Campaign

Grand Rapids NOW is partnering with GRIID (Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy) for a Dump Rush campaign targeting WOOD radio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The coalition is having demonstrations and encouraging everyone to email the radio station manager.