Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, has been helping families worldwide over the radio airwaves for more than 30 years. Now, his daily radio broadcast has received a nomination for induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame. For the first time, the public is invited to vote.
Every year, the National Radio Hall of Fame Steering Committee, which includes radio executives, academicians, trade journalists and members of the National Association of Broadcasters, chooses nominees based on recommendations from the public.
John Fuller, co-host of the Focus broadcast, said he is pleased Dr. Dobson is being honored.
“It certainly is a rare occasion for the industry to pay attention to the work of Dr. Dobson,” he said, “and to recognize the excellence with which he’s gone about his broadcasting effort and the millions of people that have been reached worldwide throughout the 31-plus years of broadcast ministry.”
The committee nominated Dr. Dobson in the “national active” category, alongside Bob Costas, Dr. Laura Schlessinger and the notorious Howard Stern. To qualify, a broadcaster must have contributed to the radio industry on a national level for at least 10 years.
Rob Kirkpatrick, executive director of broadcast programming and operations at Focus on the Family, said Dr. Dobson didn’t anticipate the overwhelming and immediate success of the broadcast.
Soon after his program went on the air in 1977, Dr. Dobson received an influx of mail from people across the country asking him for help and advice.
“One of the things that surprised him was how effective that interaction was going to be,” Kirkpatrick told Family News in Focus. “Helping people understand that we here at Focus on the Family are committed to helping them find God’s will for their lives, how to be a good husband, a good wife, good parent — really that’s what it’s all about.”
Dr. Dobson’s internationally syndicated radio program is heard daily on more than 3,000 radio stations across North America. It also airs in 27 languages in more than 160 countries.
TAKE ACTION
Vote Dr. Dobson into the National Radio Hall of Fame. The national online vote, which requires online registration, continues through July 15. Inductees will be announced shortly afterward. You do not have to vote in every category.
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