Democracy Radio was an Americannonprofit organization founded in 2002 byTom Athans and Paul Fiddick, which aimed to address what its founders saw as political imbalance on American commercial radio. The concept was to develop and incubateprogressive-oriented talk programming and enlist radio networks to market the programs to stations around the country. Democracy Radio developed and producedradio talk shows that launched the national careers ofEd Schultz andStephanie Miller, among others.
Tom Athans, a veteran of theUnited States Air Force and former staffer for U.S. RepresentativeDale Kildee, founded Democracy Radio in 2002.[1]
A 2003New York Times story quoted Athans: "We're going to go out and identify talent and help them to create programming and actually connect them with local stations."[2] Late in January 2003, Democracy Radio gathered over 30 progressive talk show hosts toCapitol Hill to provide coverage of the2003 State of the Union Address.[3]
In January 2004, Democracy Radio launched its first nationally syndicated show,The Ed Schultz Show, hosted byEd Schultz ofKFGO inFargo, North Dakota.[4][5][6] Democracy Radio retainedJones Radio Networks to handleaffiliate relations and advertising sales. The show was commercially successful, and grew to over 100 stations and 8 of the top 10 markets.[citation needed]
In September 2004, Democracy Radio debutedThe Stephanie Miller Show in conjunction with Ron Hartenbaum's WYD Media.[7]
On June 8, 2005, Democracy Radio sold its stake inThe Ed Schultz Show to a new company headed by radio executiveRandy Michaels, the former CEO ofClear Channel Radio.[8]
In November 2005, Democracy Radio closed after Athans joined the management team ofAir America.[9] WYD Media, Democracy Radio's partner inThe Stephanie Miller Show, purchased Democracy Radio's shares and assumed sole ownership of the venture.[10]