WNYC® Radio's Talk Show Host Brian Lehrer Earns Best Approval Ratio Among 8 Media Celebrities Tested in Recent Poll

WNYC Among the Highest-Approved Media Outlets Among New Yorkers

WNYC Rated Most Credible Among Moderately Well-Known News Sources

(June 23, 2004, New York, NY) - In a poll released by The Pace Poll at Pace University , WNYC, New York Public Radio® morning talk show host Brian Lehrer earned the best approval/disapproval ratio against seven other media celebrities, coming ahead of Bill O'Reilly, Howard Stern, Michael Moore, Al Franken, Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity.

The poll found that while Lehrer was less well-known than the other hosts tested, 77% of all New Yorkers familiar with Brian Lehrer approved of his program, while Bill O'Reilly's approval rating among New Yorkers who knew him was 62%, and Rush Limbaugh's approval rating was less than half of all New Yorkers who knew him.

"In defiance of New York's unofficial anthem, Rush Limbaugh has managed to make it anywhere without making it here; just 24% of New Yorkers approve of him, while 36% disapprove of him," states the Poll's written research report. "And despite New Yorkers reputation for feistiness, the more thoughtful and reserved Brian Lehrer commands respect; 23% approve of Brian Lehrer while just 7% disapprove."

Station-wide, WNYC earned a 78% approval rating among the New Yorkers who felt familiar enough with the station to vote.

WNYC was also found to be considered the most credible among moderately well-known news outlets, edging out The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and the Village Voice.

"What the Pace poll tells us is that when people know us, they like us," said Phil Redo, WNYC Vice President of Station Operations and Marketing. "As our listenership has risen 30% in the last two years, so clearly has our reputation as a credible, reliable, thoughtful source for news and information. We are proud to be so well-regarded by our fellow New Yorkers."

WNYC®, New York Public Radio®, is New York 's premier public radio station, comprising WNYC 93.9 FM and WNYC AM 820. As America's most listened-to public radio stations, reaching more than one million listeners every week, WNYC FM and AM extend New York City's cultural riches to the entire country and air the best national offerings from affiliate networks National Public Radio® and Public Radio International®. WNYC 93.9 FM broadcasts a wide range of daily news, talk, cultural and classical music programming, while WNYC AM 820 maintains a stronger focus on breaking news and international news reporting.