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Merged radio network to battle 'disinformation'
'Our mission is to raise wisdom in a generation that lacks wisdom'

A merger has been announced involving two radio networks that has created a new powerhouse called IRN USA Radio News that the new chief executive officer says will be on a mission to counter the "disinformation" from the "controlled media" so that listeners will have the truth.

"I believe our mission is to raise wisdom in a generation that lacks wisdom," Larry Bates told WND today. "The biggest problem is the controlled media. They won't let the facts get in the way of their prejudices. We have disinformation going out by osmosis and design."

The merger takes what used to be Information Radio Network (IRN) and USA Radio Network (USA) and creates the new organization that is what Nielsen Media Research describes as one of the largest news networks in the country.

Working with about 2,500 radio station outlets, Bates said the mission will be "to provide truth and information to the listening public every day."

"If you will proclaim and help people understand the truth, then people will have information to make decisions, whether they be political or religious," Bates said. "The reason that most people resist the truth is when you accept the truth, you've got to do something about it."

He said America right now is facing "life or death" issues as a nation.

The formal announcement about the merger was made over the weekend at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville. Bates called the matchup a "perfect fit."

USA was founded in 1985 by Marlin Maddoux, who also pioneered conservative talk radio in 1972 with "Point of View" out of Dallas. It targeted the need for a national news service for radio stations not served by major networks.

IRN, which has been at the forefront of radio news for more than a dozen years, has been run by the Bates family, and the merger combines the strengths of both networks, officials said.

Offering all the programming previously available on both networks, IRN USA Radio News is broadcast from its new base of operations – a state-of-the-art control room in Memphis. In addition to several former USA staff, IRN USA Radio News anchors continue to report the news from a lengthy roster of longstanding popular programs.

"People want a world view that is realistic," said Bates. "There's no such thing as Christian news, per se. News is news. Truth is truth. National and international news affects Christians and non-Christians alike. But if you have real knowledge, then you have an understanding of what's going on. From there you can assess how things will impact your everyday life."

He said other networks have turned into "tabloid news."

"People aren't really interested in what Britney Spears is wearing or not wearing, or what professional athletes or actors are doing in their private lives. This kind of information really doesn’t affect peoples' daily lives. We think there are more important things going on in the world," he said.

Bates, who authored "The New Economic Disorder," will be CEO, while Chuck Bates is the executive vice president and news director.

"This is a family operation, rather than a firm controlled by Wall Street," said Larry Bates. "All of our people are cross-trained and carry full journalist credentials. In other words, the brass is in the newsroom and in the trenches along with everyone else, with their sleeves rolled up, busy working in whatever capacity they are needed in order to get the truth out to listeners around the world."

Mark Maddoux will be vice-president of finance, Tim Maddoux the vice-president of operations and David Maddoux vice president and chief technology officer.