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Type of site | News and opinion website, magazine, radio news service |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owners | The Heritage Foundation (1995–2005) Independent (2005–2006) Salem Media Group (2006–present) |
| Editor | Katie Pavlich |
| URL | townhall |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional, required to comment |
| Launched | March 2, 1995; 30 years ago (1995-03-02)[1] |
| Current status | Online |
Townhall is an Americanconservative website, printmagazine and radio news service. Previously published byThe Heritage Foundation, it is now owned and operated bySalem Communications. The website features more than 80 columns (both syndicated and exclusive) by a variety of writers and commentators. The website also publishes news articles from theAssociated Press.
Townhall also provides five minute radio newscasts around the clock, detailing national and world news items.[2] These newscasts air at the beginning of each hour on many Salem-owned radio stations and onSalem Radio Networkaffiliates, as well as onSirius XMPatriot Channel 125.
Townhall was founded on March 2, 1995, as one of the firstconservative internet communities. In 2005, Townhall.com split off fromThe Heritage Foundation.
In May 2006,Salem Communications acquired Townhall.com and relaunched the site with the addition of podcasts of Salem's network and local talk shows, blogs run by Salem talk show hosts and the ability for any user to set up a blog on the Townhall.com network.[3][4] The website provides an extensive selection of opinion columns and news items presented from a conservative viewpoint.[5]
In January 2008, Townhall.com launchedTownhall Magazine, a monthly conservative news magazine. In addition to exclusive content for the magazine,Townhall Magazine carries contributions from Townhall.com readers.[6]
In February 2011, Townhall.com re-launchedTownhallFinance.com, a daily financial and investment site dedicated to conservative financial commentary, under the editorship of John Ransom. In 2018,Jerry Bowyer became editor of the site. It carries commentary from Ransom andFox Business Network analystCharles Payne, and carriedCNBC'sLarry Kudlow before Kudlow went on leave to become head of the former President'sCouncil of Economic Advisors and then went on to host his own show onFox Business Network in February 2021.
Townhall.com features commentary by various conservative columnists and guest commentary by politicians.[7] Guest contributors have includedEric Trump,Donald Trump Jr., andLara Trump.
In November 2021, a study by theCenter for Countering Digital Hate described Townhall as being among "ten fringe publishers" that together were responsible for nearly 70 percent of Facebook user interactions with content thatdenied climate change. Facebook disputed the study's methodology.[8][9]