That’s the question that Radio America syndicated talker Roger Hedgecock asked Sean Smith, Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Hedgecock’s radio show last night (4/14). In light of a recent DHS report saying that the current economic and political climate could fuel “right wing extremism” in America, Hedgecock asked Smith if the DHS considers today’s “Tea Party” organizers to be right wing extremists and whether or not government officials could be videotaping today’s events and their attendees. “I can’t speak to things that are law enforcement sensitive or current operations,” said the Assistant Secretary. “I couldn’t answer that.” The KOGO/San Diego-based Roger Hedgecock Show airs on Radio America nightly from 6-9pm (ET).

Guesting yesterday (4/14) on Salem Radio Network’s Michael Medved Show, PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer was uncharacteristically opinionated when asked by Medved for his thoughts on any attempt by Congress or the FCC to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. “What do you think of the calls by many leading Democrats — and it is coming from the Democratic side of the aisle — for governmental imposition of fairness through what is known as the Fairness Doctrine from the FCC?” Medved asked Lehrer (pictured). “I really believe in everyone having their voice,” replied the veteran news journalist. “We’ve already proved we don’t need the Fairness Doctrine. I normally don’t express my opinion on things like this, but I don’t think there’s any necessity for it. My goodness, all the opinions are out there if you work at it. For the government to reinsert itself on that particular issue is not necessary at all. Whether the Democrats or the Republicans are for or against it is irrelevant to me. I come from a ‘let the voices be heard’ school of thought.”

That’s the conclusion reached by Research Director, Inc., following the company’s recent study of Arbitron PPM data in the top ten markets in which PPM is currency. The study found that radio’s hour-by-hour listening levels proved to be consistently strong throughout the day, not only in mornings, but also middays, afternoons and even weekends. The study shows radio’s best hour among Persons 6+ to be the Monday through Friday 3-4pm hour. It’s second strongest hour was Monday through Friday 4-5pm, followed by Monday through Friday 7-8am. In fact, the top four hours of listening in the study occurred in three different dayparts. “Clearly the belief that radio is only a morning drive medium is simply not true,” said Research Director managing partner Marc Greenspan. Also, some good news for Talk radio in the report which showed that listening by Men 18+ — generally heavy users of News/Talk/Sports stations — was exceptionally strong across all dayparts. You can read the criteria used and the study’s hour-by-hour data analysis at www.researchdirectorinc.com.

Kathleen Graham will be named Executive Director of the Radio-Television News Directors Foundation and Jane Nassiri will become Executive Director for the Radio-Television News Directors Association in June following the previously announced retirement of current RTNDF and RTNDA President Barbara Cochran. Graham, who currently manages programming for RTNDA’s annual convention, first joined the organization in 1996 and was named VP of the Foundation’s programs in 2005. Nassiri joined RTNDA in 1998 and has served as VP/Finance and Administration since 2005. “We’re very fortunate to have such experienced and able executives to direct the operations of both the Association and the Foundation,” said RTNDA chair Ed Esposito about the new appointments. Cochran will continue to serve as President Emeritus of both RTNDA and RTNDF following her retirement on June 25.

No, it’s not one of those ‘chat lines’ you see advertised on late-night TV. This “fantasy” is all about baseball as mobile audio provider Foneshow pacts with leading fantasy sports info website Rotowire to bring that company’s fantasy baseball radio show to any cell phone on-demand. The Rotowire Fantasy Focus Foneshow is available every day as a three to four minute segment offering player statistics, injury reports, and who’s hot and who’s not. “There’s a ton of competition out there in fantasy sports, especially in baseball,” said Foneshow CEO Erik Schwartz about the company’s new deal with Rotowire. “Our partnership provides that daily dose of on-demand insider information that fantasy managers need to dominate their league. Sports news and info is always in high demand and Foneshow’s technology has the ability to offer it to more fans, more efficiently than ever before.” You can check it out at www.foneshow.com.