Radio Addresses

Radio addresses were a primary way for politicians to communicate with citizens and voters prior to the advent of television, yet presidential radio addresses continue into the 21st century. With other technologies available today for presidents and political leaders to communicate, there are a number of reasons why radio addresses continue. First, as they are typically unedited, radio addresses offer the opportunity for elected officials to communicate directly to the public. Second, radio addresses are preferred by politicians who do not feel they are treated fairly by the news media and are often used by presidents who feel they or their policies are not supported by other mass media. Third, contemporary presidential radio addresses have typically been given on Saturdays and therefore shape the news agenda for weekend coverage of the White House.

Presidential radio addresses are most often associated with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's “fireside chats.” FDR is considered to be the first president to use broadcast communication for political purposes to speak directly to citizens. Roosevelt faced considerable opposition by many newspaper publishers, so he sought out the public audience by radio and was able to control the message listeners received. Roosevelt's addresses were introduced as “fireside chats,” as he pictured his listening audience as a small group sitting around a fireside. The fireside chats drew large listening audiences and were more popular than radio comedy shows or other highly rated programs. Roosevelt's informal and conversational style was successful with listeners, and radio was a medium by which Roosevelt could convey active leadership.

Roosevelt's addresses, often lasting 30 minutes and airing in the evening from the Oval Office or East Room of the White House, provided hope and comfort for listeners. They often motivated listeners as well, encouraging people to return to using banks, after nearly one third of the banks closed in the 1930s, and recycling rubber during World War II. Roosevelt's fireside chats began in March 1933 with an address about the Great Depression, followed next by one on his New Deal. He gave approximately 30 fireside chats during his presidency, with his addresses continuing through January 1945 with commentaries regarding World War II and related coal crises and loan drives.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, presidential radio addresses have become institutionalized as communication directly to the public. Radio addresses often focus on domestic policy, social issues, and foreign affairs and are often ceremonial to celebrate holidays (such as Labor Day or Independence Day) or achievements. Today presidential radio addresses [Page 698]generally run 5 minutes in length and are sometimes followed by a response from the political party opposite the president's own party. While many presidential speeches are written primarily by staff members, radio addresses are often authored, or heavily edited, by presidents themselves.

Ronald Reagan, often called the “Great Communicator,” used radio addresses nearly every week while president from 1981 to 1988, giving 330 addresses while in the White House. He used them to better connect with citizens and to bypass other news media that he felt were not giving his administration fair treatment in their coverage. Reagan was also a president who grew up in the era of radio and had worked early in his career in radio. His acting background made him an engaging speaker for the public listening audience. Reagan had initially planned to offer just 10 addresses about his administration's economic policy, but he quickly followed with additional addresses that then became institutionalized within his presidency. He was known for closing each address with the words, “Until next week, thanks for listening. God bless you.”

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