The most discussed stories yesterday (7/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Big, Beautiful Bill Debate
2. Asylum Claim Ruling
3. Paramount Settles Trump Suit
4. U.S.-Japan Trade Talks
5. Trump vs Powell
The most discussed stories yesterday (7/1) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Big, Beautiful Bill Debate / Musk-Trump Feud
2. Trump Visits “Alligator Alcatraz”
3. Paramount Settles Trump Suit
4. Israel-Gaza War
5. Trump Threatens Mamdani
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/30) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Big, Beautiful Bill Debate / Musk-Trump Feud
2. “Alligator Alcatraz” to Open
3. Trump vs Harvard
4. Israel Strikes in Gaza
5. Kohberger Guilty Plea
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Big, Beautiful Bill
2. Idaho Firefighter Shooting
3. Iran Strikes Post-Mortem
4. Israel’s Gaza Strikes
5. Tillis Won’t Run for Reelection
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/23-27) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Iran Strikes Aftermath / MAGA “Civil War”
2. SCOTUS Friday Rulings
3. Trump at NATO
4. Big, Beautiful Bill
5. ICE Raids / SCOTUS Deportation Ruling
6. Mamdani NYC Primary Victory
7. Powell Testimony / Trump Fed Nomination
8. SCOTUS Planned Parenthood Ruling
9. ASIP RSV Recommendation
10.Bezos-Sanchez Wedding
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
3. Pete Hegseth
4. Marjorie Taylor Greene / Rand Paul
5. Tucker Carlson / Steven K. Bannon
6. Mark Rutte
7. Mike Johnson
8. Zohran Mamdani / Andrew Cuomo
9. Jerome Powell
10.Jeff Bezos / Lauren Sanchez
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/25) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Iran Strikes Aftermath
2. Trump at NATO Summit
3. Mamdani’s NYC Primary Victory
4. Big, Beautiful Bill
5. ICE Raids
The TALKERS editorial board has announced the date of the 2025 edition of the TALKERS “100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America” – also known as the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred.” The prestigious list will be posted Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
This will mark the 30th anniversary of one of the most popular annual features published by TALKERS magazine since its debut as a list of 25 in 1995 (it expanded to 100 in 1996) and comes in conjunction this Summer with TALKERS magazine’s 35th anniversary as a broadcasting industry trade journal.
According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “The criteria for inclusion in the class of 2025 will remain radio-centric, however, with additional weight given to influence wielded in associated talk media platforms such as audio and video podcasting along with other means of online distribution appropriate to evident changes in the industry.” Casey adds, “But the criteria that all inductees in the Heavy Hundred must have a regularly scheduled professional show on the air at a minimum of one terrestrial or satellite radio station at ‘press time’ will continue.”
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/24) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Iran Strikes Aftermath
2. MAGA “Civil War”
3. Trump at NATO Summit
4. ICE Raids
5. NYC Mayoral Primary
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/23) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Israel-Iran Truce / U.S. Iran Strikes
2. SCOTUS Deportation Ruling
3. MAGA “Civil War”
4. Powell’s House Testimony
5. NYC Mayoral Primary
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. U.S. Strikes on Iran
2. MAGA “Civil War”
3. Israel-Iran Bombings
4. ICE Raids
5. Heat Dome Scorching Eastern U.S.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/16-20) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Israel-Iran Conflict / Trump Mulls Involvement
2. MAGA “Civil War”
3. ICE Raids / Protests & Arrests
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. Hortman Assassination / Lawmakers Safety Concerns
6. SCOTUS Transgender Ruling
7. Big, Beautiful Bill / Fed Holds on Interest Rates
8. DC Military Parade
9. Tariffs / China Trade Negotiations
10.Hurricane Erick
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Benjamin Netanyahu / Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
3. Pete Hegseth / Tulsi Gabbard
4. Vladimir Putin
5. Tucker Carlson / Steven K. Bannon
6. Brad Lander / Alex Padilla
7. Kristi Noem
8. Vance Boelter / Melissa Hortman
9. Jerome Powell
10.Barack Obama
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/18) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Israel-Iran Strikes / U.S. Mulls Involvement
2. ICE Raids / Student Visa Process
3. SCOTUS Transgender Ruling
4. Lawmaker Safety Concerns
5. Hurricane Erick
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Israel-Iran Strikes / U.S. Weighs Military Action
2. Russia-Ukraine War
3. ICE Raids-Protests / NY Comptroller Arrested
4. Big, Beautiful Bill
5. Hortman Assassination
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/16) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump at G7
2. Israel-Iran Strikes
3. Hortman Assassination
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. ICE Protests
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Minnesota Lawmaker Assassinated
2. DC Military Parade
3. Israel-Iran Strikes
4. ICE Protests / “No Kings Day”
5. Big, Beautiful Bill
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/9-6/13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. LA Protests / Trump Calls in Military
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Trump Musk Feud
3. U.S.-Iran Tensions / Middle East Diplomats Recalled
4. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations / Tariffs
5. Saturday’s Military Parade
6. Russia-Ukraine War
7. FEMA Phaseout / RFK Jr Fires CDC Vaccine Panel
8. Israel-Gaza Unrest / Greta Thunberg Deported
9. Brian Wilson Dies
10.Air India Crash
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Gavin Newsom / Karen Bass
3. Elon Musk
4. Mike Johnson
5. Benjamin Netanyahu / Greta Thunberg
6. Howard Lutnick
7. Xi Jinping
8. Vladimir Putin
9. RFK Jr.
10.Brian Wilson
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/11) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. LA Protests / Trump’s Use of Military
2. U.S.-Iran Tensions / Middle East Diplomats Recalled
3. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations / Tariffs
4. Saturday’s Military Parade
5. Brian Wilson Dies
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
In the golden age of broadcasting, the rules were clear. If you edited the message, you owned the consequences. That was the tradeoff for editorial control. But today’s digital platforms – YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram – have rewritten that deal. Broadcasters and those who operate within the FCC regulatory framework are paying the price.
These companies claim to be neutral conduits for our content. But behind the curtain, they make choices that mirror the editorial judgment of any news director: flagging clips, muting interviews, throttling reach, and shadow banning accounts. All while insisting they bear no responsibility for the content they carry.
They want the control of publishers without the accountability. I call them neutraliars.
A “neutraliar” is a platform that claims neutrality while quietly shaping public discourse. It edits without transparency, enforces vague rules inconsistently, and hides bias behind shifting community standards.
Broadcasters understand the weight of editorial power. Reputation, liability, and trust come with every decision. But platforms operate under a different set of rules. They remove content for “context violations,” downgrade interviews for being “borderline,” and rarely offer explanations. No appeals. No accountability.
This isn’t just technical policy – it’s a legal strategy. Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, platforms enjoy broad immunity from liability related to user content. What was originally intended to allow moderation of obscene or unlawful material has become a catch-all defense for everything short of outright defamation or criminal conduct.
These companies act like editors when it suits them, curating and prioritizing content. But when challenged, they retreat behind the label of “neutral platform.” Courts, regulators, and lawmakers have mostly let it slide.
But broadcasters shouldn’t.
Neutraliars are distorting the public square. Not through overt censorship, but through asymmetry. Traditional broadcasters play by clear rules – standards of fairness, disclosure, and attribution. Meanwhile, tech platforms make unseen decisions that influence whether a segment is heard, seen, or quietly buried.
So, what’s the practical takeaway?
Don’t confuse distribution with trust.
Just because a platform carries your content doesn’t mean it supports your voice. Every upload is subject to algorithms, undisclosed enforcement criteria, and decisions made by people you’ll never meet. The clip you expected to go viral. Silenced. The balanced debate you aired. Removed for tone. The satire? Flagged for potential harm.
The smarter approach is to diversify your presence. Own your archive. Use direct communication tools – e-mail lists, podcast feeds, and websites you control. Syndicate broadly but never rely solely on one platform. Monitor takedowns and unexplained drops in engagement. These signals matter.
Platforms will continue to call themselves neutral as long as it protects their business model. But we know better. If a company edits content like a publisher and silences creators like a censor, it should be treated like both.
And when you get the inevitable takedown notice wrapped in vague policy language and polished PR spin, keep one word in mind.
Neutraliars.
Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/10) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. LA Protests / Trump vs Newsom
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Musk Apologizes
3. U.S.-China Trade Talks
4. FEMA Phaseout
5. Russia-Ukraine War
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
In early 2024, voters in New Hampshire got strange robocalls. The voice sounded just like President Joe Biden, telling people not to vote in the primary. But it wasn’t him. It was an AI clone of his voice – sent out to confuse voters.
The calls were meant to mislead, not entertain. The response was quick. The FCC banned AI robocalls. State officials launched investigations. Still, a big question remains for radio and podcast creators:
Is using an AI cloned voice of a real person ever legal?
This question hits hard for talk radio, where satire, parody, and political commentary are daily staples. And the line between creative expression and illegal impersonation is starting to blur.
It’s already happening online. AI-generated clips of Howard Stern have popped up on TikTok and Reddit, making him say things he never actually said. They’re not airing on the radio yet – but they could be soon.
Then came a major moment. In 2024, a group called Dudesy released a fake comedy special called, “I’m Glad I’m Dead,” using AI to copy the voice and style of the late George Carlin. The hour-long show sounded uncannily like Carlin, and the creators claimed it was a tribute. His daughter, Kelly Carlin, strongly disagreed. The Carlin estate sued, calling it theft, not parody. That lawsuit could shape how courts treat voice cloning for years.
The danger isn’t just legal – it’s reputational. A cloned voice can be used to create fake outrage, fake interviews, or fake endorsements. Even if meant as satire, if it’s too realistic, it can do real damage.
So, what does fair use actually protect? It covers commentary, criticism, parody, education, and news. But a voice isn’t just creative work – it’s part of someone’s identity. That’s where the right of publicity comes in. It protects how your name, image, and voice are used, especially in commercial settings.
If a fake voice confuses listeners, suggests false approval, or harms someone’s brand, fair use probably won’t apply. And if it doesn’t clearly comment on the real person, it’s not parody – it’s just impersonation.
For talk show hosts and podcasters, here’s the bottom line: use caution. If you’re using AI voices, make it obvious they’re fake. Add labels. Give context. And best of all, avoid cloning real people unless you have their OK.
Fair use is a shield – but it’s not a free pass. When content feels deceptive, the law – and your audience – may not be forgiving.
Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Harrison Legal Group or read more at TALKERS.com.
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/9) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump Orders National Guard and Marines to LA Protests
2. RFK Jr Fires CDC Vaccine Panel
3. U.S.-China Trade Talks
4. Israel Deports Greta Thunberg
5. Russia-Ukraine War
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. LA ICE Protests-National Guard Callup
2. Abrego Garcia Returned to U.S.
3. Gaza Aid Ship Intercepted
4. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations
5. ABC Suspends Terry Moran
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/2-6/6) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Trump-Musk War
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt / Debt Ceiling
3. Medicaid Cuts
4. Trump vs Harvard & Columbia
5. ICE Raids / Deportations
6. Trump Doubles Steel & Aluminum Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
7. Colorado Fire Attack
8. Biden Health Coverup / Biden Actions Investigation
9. Ukraine Drone Strikes on Russia / Deadly Gaza Violence
10.Travel Ban / Iran Nukes
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk
3. Mike Johnson
4. Rand Paul / Mike Lee
5. Linda McMahon
6. Xi Jinping
7. Volodymyr Zelensky
8. Joe Biden
9. Mohamed Soliman
10.Benjamin Netanyahu
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/4) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Debt Ceiling Debate
2. Trump Issues Travel Ban
3. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt
4. Biden Actions Investigation
5. Trump vs Harvard and Columbia
The most discussed stories yesterday (6/3) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Big, Beautiful Bill / Musk Criticism
2. Trump Doubles Steel & Aluminum Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
3. Hegseth to Rename USNS Harvey Milk
4. ICE Raids / Deportations
5. Emergency Abortion Policy
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
When Georgia-based nationally syndicated radio personality, and Second Amendment advocate Mark Walters (longtime host of “Armed American Radio”) learned that ChatGPT had falsely claimed he was involved in a criminal embezzlement scheme, he did what few in the media world have dared to do. Walters stood up when others were silent, and took on an incredibly powerful tech company, one of the biggest in the world, in a court of law.
Taking the Fight to Big Tech
Walters, by filing suit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, become the first person in the United States to test the boundaries of defamation law in the age of generative artificial intelligence.
His case was not simply about clearing his name. It was about drawing a line. Can artificial intelligence generate and distribute false and damaging information about a real person without any legal accountability?
While the court ultimately ruled in OpenAI’s favor on specific legal procedure concerns, the impact of this case is far from finished. Walters’ lawsuit broke new ground in several important ways:
— It was the first known defamation lawsuit filed against an AI developer based on content generated by an AI system.
— It brought into the open critical questions about responsibility, accuracy, and liability when AI systems are used to produce statements that sound human but carry no editorial oversight.
— It continued to add fuel to the conversation of the effectiveness of “use at your own risk” disclaimers when there is real world reputational damage hanging in the balance.
Implications for the Radio and Podcasting Community
For those spoken-word creators, regardless of platform on terrestrial, satellite, or the open internet, this case is a wake-up call, your canary in a coal mine. Many shows rely on AI tools for research, summaries, voice generation, or even show scripts. But what happens when those tools get it wrong? (Other than being embarrassed, and in some cases fined or terminated) And worse, what happens when those errors affect real people?
The legal system, as has been often written about, is still playing catch-up. Although the court ruled that the fabricated ChatGPT statement lacked the necessary elements of defamation under Georgia law, including provable harm and demonstrable fault, the decision highlighted how unprepared current frameworks are for this fast-moving, voice-driven digital landscape.
Where the Industry Goes from Here
Walters’ experience points to the urgent need for new protection and clearer guidelines:
— Creators deserve assurance that the tools they use are built with accountability in mind. This would extend to copyright infringement and to defamation.
— Developers must be more transparent about how their systems operate and the risks they create. This would identify bias and attempt to counteract it.
— Policymakers need to bring clarity to who bears responsibility when software, not a person, becomes the speaker.
A Case That Signals a Larger Reckoning
Mark Walters may not have won this round in court, but his decision to take on a tech giant helped illuminate how quickly generative AI can create legal, ethical, and reputational risks for anyone with a public presence. For those of us working in media, especially in formats built on trust, voice, and credibility, his case should not be ignored.
“This wasn’t about money. This was about the truth,” Walters tells TALKERS. “If we don’t draw a line now, there may not be one left to draw.”
Media attorney, Matthew B. Harrison is VP/Associate Publisher at TALKERS; Senior Partner at Harrison Media Law; and Executive Producer at Goodphone Communications. He is available for private consultation and media industry contract representation. He can be reached by phone at 724-484-3529 or email at matthew@harrisonmedialaw.com. He teaches “Legal Issues in Digital Media” and serves as a regular contributor to industry discussions on fair use, AI, and free expression.