Best Free Online News Radio Stations

If you like listening to the radio while you work online or surf, you have a whole host of free music stations available to you -- and you don't even need a radio. But, while I tend to listen to classical or pop (when I'm not actually listening to mp3s) there are times when I crave Talk Radio.

This is easy enough for most people living in English speaking countries, but if you live elsewhere it can be quite difficult to find such stations. Fortunately, internet radio has made it possible for anyone with an internet connection to hear English speaking talk radio anywhere in the world. The following stations are some of the best on the air.

6. BBC World News

(www.bbc.co.uk/radio)

If you'd like to hear world news spoken with a posh accent, this is your channel. There are actually loads of other stations available as well -- you can even listen to it in a number of other languages, if you prefer.

7. FoxNews Radio

(www.foxnews.com/radio)

If you're one of those people who actually thinks Fox is a credible news source, you will love the opportunity to hear Bill lie through his teeth over the airwaves.

8. Federal News Radio (WFED 1500 AM)

(www.federalnewsradio.com)

Another old timer Washington D.C radio station, this one covers (you guessed it!) Federal News.

9. KLBJ Austin, TX

(www.590klbj.com)

I used to listen to this station when I lived in Texas. There is a huge range of programming. From conservative Rush Limbaugh to libertarian Neal Boortz, to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones (who, incidentally, always seems to be proven right eventually...)

1. National Public Radio

(www.npr.org)

NPR hosts a number of different types of programs, including news. The station has been around since 1970 and has become a very respected name in the industry.

2. Air America

(www.airamerica.com)

Air America is a liberal talk radio station. It's not just your typical stuffy newscast; this is a very entertaining channel which includes (among other things) opinion, interviews, call-ins and comedy. Yes, comedy; cos, let's face it -- without comedy, we'd be crying over the state of the union. Al Franken was pretty fabulous while he was there!

3. American Cliche

(Americancliche.net)

When a radio program starts out with a "This might not be safe for work" warning, you know it's got to be good! This Santa Barbara station focuses on bizarre news and smart-alecky commentary.

4. CNN 650

(www.CNN650.com)

If you're a CNN fan, you'll enjoy hearing your favorite news program on the radio. This station covers everything from Life, Business and Money news. You'll also get your CNN Headline News and all the shows you already listen to.

5. WMAL, Washington D.C.

(www.WMAL.com)

This is the big conservative station in DC, where you can hear people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and that guy who played Gopher on the Love Boat. This is the station liberals want to avoid, unless you're in the mood for a conniption.