Glenn Beck speaks to students
Talk show host discusses today’s media
- posted: 24 Apr 2007
- scrollcampus@byui.edu
Glenn Beck, host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show as well as his own self-titled talk show on CNN Headline News visited BYU‑Idaho on Monday to participate in a broadcast interview and to address Communication students.
Beck, whose New York-based CNN show debuted in May 2006, has gained a 65 percent increase in total viewers since the show began, with an 85 percent jump in the 25-53 demographic, according to his Web site. His radio show is heard over 230 stations nationwide and has become the third highest-rated national radio talk show among adults ages 25 to 54.
Beck is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized, along with his family, while he was in his 30s. His daughter is currently attending BYU‑I.
During Beck’s visit to campus, he discussed several topics, including his conversion story and how his life has changed as a Latter-day Saint and a prominent media figure.
“There are groups of journalists. There are those that I swear to you will not even look at me on the elevator ride,” Beck said.
Beck joined the Church following a friend’s invitation to attend LDS church services one Sunday. Beck went with his family and after going through “a mountain of missionaries,” decided to be baptized.
Beck also discussed the importance of freedom of speech after a question was asked about Don Imus who was recently fired from NBC for making racist and sexist comments on air about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.
“The way for freedom to happen is not to have fewer voices. It’s more voices,” he said. “You don’t say, ‘That voice shouldn’t be heard.’ You say, ‘That voice is an idiot. Listen to this voice!’ You don’t kick that voice out.”
Beck became emotional as he spoke of the people in Rexburg that he had met during his visit.
“I don’t need to meet President Hinckley. I met Sister Sutherland this weekend,” Beck said. “She’s someone who just lives her faith. She’s just good. I don’t have to meet the leaders of the Church. I just have to come to Rexburg. I see people who are good to each other, decent to each other.” 
