June 03, 2010 11:30 AM
Maybe now Clear Channel Communications is seeing clearly after insensitive contest
(This is a guest post for C&L, written by the NCLR's Clarissa Martínez.)
After a member station launched an incredibly insensitive radio promotion designed to tweak Mayor Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio for joining the national boycott of Arizona over its new anti-immigrant law, Clear Channel found itself in the center of a national controversy and the target of the ire of Latino communities across America.
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, immediately demanded an apology from the station, and thousands of people nationwide, by phone or in writing, contacted Clear Channel General Manager Brian Dytko and President and CEO Mark Mays asking for the same.
Today at 5:00 p.m. Dytko will go on air to do just that.
It all started when Coleman made the decision to ban city employees from visiting Arizona on official business. He joins other cities and counties in making his decision to protest Arizona’s new law, SB 1070, which essentially sanctions racial profiling.
WTVN-AM’s response? “WTVN would like to send you where Americans are proud and illegals are scared—sunny Phoenix, Arizona! You’ll spend a weekend chasing aliens and spending cash in the desert. Just make sure you have your green card!”
NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía was not amused.
“The passage of SB 1070 has provoked a lot of reprehensible anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric,” stated Murguía, “but a radio station bankrolling someone to ‘hunt’ human beings for sport represents a new low. What is happening to Latinos—citizens, legal residents, and undocumented alike—in Arizona is no joke.”
Murguía reminded Dytko that “the American people own the airwaves over which WTVN broadcasts. As such, we will ask FCC commissioners to ensure that threats against American citizens—such as the one encouraged and promoted by WTVN—are not taken lightly and dealt with in an appropriate manner.”
Dytko admitted that his station has received hundreds of phone calls protesting the promotion, thanks to the efforts of several groups in Ohio and at the national level that mobilized their supporters to pressure him.
We can’t wait to hear what he’ll say at 5:00.
UPDATE: John Amato:
They finally did apologize for their egregious actions. You can hear the apology and see the transcript here.
This is Brian Dytko, Station Manager of WTVN with a message regarding our station’s recent “Win a Trip to Phoenix, Arizona” promotional contest. Our contest was meant as a humorous response to a City of Columbus ban on travel to Arizona by city employees. In fact, a key element of the promotion was that city employees were specifically invited to enter the contest. We regret that our promotional copy has been characterized as condoning violence. This was not our intent, and we do not condone violence of any kind. We apologize for our actions here. We are always striving to engage our community on important issues of the day and sometimes we do a better job than others, but we always take the input of our community seriously.It was a pretty pathetic contest and tepid apology if you ask me, but an apology none the less.
************************************************************************
Great piece and encouraging that they had to apologize (I'd say more like they issued a statement).
I hear echoes of "hunt the n****er" from down south not that many years ago.
We are better than this as a country and as a people.
We will never be completely rid of the haters so we have to always be ready to challenge the hate wheresoever it rears its hideous head.
I hear echoes of "hunt the n****er" from down south not that many years ago.
We are better than this as a country and as a people.
We will never be completely rid of the haters so we have to always be ready to challenge the hate wheresoever it rears its hideous head.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
That wasn't an apology at all.
An apology would sound like: "We regret that some here at the radio station are so callous to the victims of racial profiling that they thought it would be funny to ridicule their concerns. We apologize for our failure to demonstrate the minimum acceptable level of human empathy. We will strive, in the future, to be actually humorous on our morning show, and when ridiculing, we will attempt to target those who can defend themselves or are at least somewhat at fault for the misfortune they suffer."
An apology would sound like: "We regret that some here at the radio station are so callous to the victims of racial profiling that they thought it would be funny to ridicule their concerns. We apologize for our failure to demonstrate the minimum acceptable level of human empathy. We will strive, in the future, to be actually humorous on our morning show, and when ridiculing, we will attempt to target those who can defend themselves or are at least somewhat at fault for the misfortune they suffer."
they said great comedy goes after the powerful, and when it goes after the powerless, it just becomes bullying.
Great post Billy, too bad the Latino community will likely never get a halfway decent apology out of Dytko.
Great post Billy, too bad the Latino community will likely never get a halfway decent apology out of Dytko.
If there's a new way I'll be the first in line,
But, it better work this time
After rereading the show's "joke" I should add:
"We also apologize for implying that humans, i.e. illegal immigrants, should be chased while scared for amusement. In retrospect, we realize that we demonstrated, again, a lack of human empathy; and we prioritized a cheap punchline based on ignorance over the concerns of actual human beings in difficult situations. Those responsible have been put on probationary status and we will endeavor to be less offensive in the future."
"We also apologize for implying that humans, i.e. illegal immigrants, should be chased while scared for amusement. In retrospect, we realize that we demonstrated, again, a lack of human empathy; and we prioritized a cheap punchline based on ignorance over the concerns of actual human beings in difficult situations. Those responsible have been put on probationary status and we will endeavor to be less offensive in the future."
"be less obviously offensive in the future"
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Not until every Morning Zoo DJ is strung up by his microphone cord. Yet another coke-addled legacy of Beck.
That's no apology! Apologizing for the violence promoted? Should have apologized for the racism promoted.
Time to (further) boycott Clear Channel.
Time to (further) boycott Clear Channel.
If I know it is clear channel off it goes. They would have carried this farther if no one complained. Hit them in their pocket books! It is the only way to get a republicans attention. They are to stipid to insult, they have know empathy, no ability to feel shame or sorrow for doing the wrong thing. Somehow republicans ended up missing the gene's that make you human. We are all paying for it now!
he expects us to believe that they weren't condoning violence against "scared illegals" who the contestants get to "chase".
as I said, he's an asshole.
as I said, he's an asshole.
What they said is "We're sorry you're a bunch of crybabies and are bugging us, now fuck off liberal scum."
I think you nailed the subtext.
:)
:)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Exactly!
I'm sorry you didn't get the "joke".
I'm sorry you didn't get the "joke".
When I read this, I became enraged and screamed out..."WTVN-AM can suck my dick."
I feel now that I must apologize. I'm sorry that WTVN-AM was offended by my demand that they suck my dick.
I feel now that I must apologize. I'm sorry that WTVN-AM was offended by my demand that they suck my dick.
It's a new day. Is Dick Cheney dead yet?
We regret that our promotional copy has been characterized as condoning violence.This seems to consist of others certainly not themselves who approved the contest as characterizing their contest as condoning violence.
you feel that way."
The usual non-apology apology.
The usual non-apology apology.
2008, Jul – Joins with Thomas H. Lee Partners to purchase Clear Channel Communications.[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital
Although gone, Romney received a passive profit share as a retired partner in some Bain Capital entities.[41] An additional blind trust existed in the name of the Romneys' children and grandchildren that was valued at between $70 and $100 million.[42]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney#Busi...
Lets ask Mitt what he would do if Clearchannel had a contest to hunt Mormons.
Drag their racist asses through the mud.
"I'm sorry!
Fuck you.
"I'm sorry!
Fuck you.
Mitt Romney, whose intolerance of illegal immigrants has been a central theme of his presidential campaign, was caught out for a second time employing undocumented Guatemalans to tend his lawn.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/u...
My bold Lets see if Clearchannel will hold Mitt to the same standard and have a contest to hunt CEO's who employ immigrants.
Of course they won't they are cowards.
Hispanics are a big advertising market many of us are in that young Demo that Advertisers love.
Who are ClearChannels biggest advertisers? Its only a matter of time before they say something racist again.
Who are ClearChannels biggest advertisers? Its only a matter of time before they say something racist again.
They can always bring in advertisers that are willing to buy gold.
It's a new day. Is Dick Cheney dead yet?
Auto dealerships and shitty local bars where the WACKY DJs make appearances, from back when I listened to the radio.
Radio Division Facts:http://www.clearchannel.com/Radio/PressReleas...
Operates over 800 radio stations with an audience of more than 110 million listeners each week.
Serves approximately 150 U.S. markets, including 89 of the top 100 markets.
Reaches 45% of all people ages 18-49 in the U.S. on daily basis.
In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau predicted that America's Hispanic population would grow from 35 million to 38 million by the middle of the decade. Actual number in 2005: 41 million.http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-2141-as-...
Now the official figure has hit 47 million, and some demographers think it will be 50 million when the final census figures are in. An added sweet spot for broadcasters: About 60 percent (much larger than for non-Hispanics) are between the ages of 18 and 49, exactly the bracket that TV advertisers covet.
Somehow I doubt the 18-49 year old numbers of Clearchannel.
Duh, there's no way their inflated surveys and land-line questionnaires are accurate. But, they don't give a damn as long as their numbers meet the advertisers' needs, and the advertisers don't demand better.
Their entire industry would fall apart if people knew just how few were listening to their radio shows (and how many people watched the "big" television shows.) It's not about reality, it's about what you can sell to the sponsors.
Their entire industry would fall apart if people knew just how few were listening to their radio shows (and how many people watched the "big" television shows.) It's not about reality, it's about what you can sell to the sponsors.
Ask mitt if he really thinks America can fight her stupid wars without us?
will simply lay low until talking points change. It's worked before.
Clear Channel like other group owners are hurting for ad revenue and will hope for a boycott at the most because that will blow over. What really hurts these fatcats is two words: license renewal.
When their bought and paid for licenses are threatened at renewal time, they have to expend resources to prove that they're the better applicant (money & lawyers). The old rule about the public "owning the airwaves" looks good in the glossy brochure but the FCC has been in the pocket of these spectrum hogs for more than 15 years.
Why wait for renewal time and instead get something in writing from the commission in the form of a formal public content complaint? Don't forget to wake the FCC up to the fact that Janet Napolitano has already profiled accurately the kind of hate talk/actions that this country doesn't need. Clear Channel will eventually step in their own pantload but they've learned to keep walking in the past.
For now, if you guys would visit Clear Channel facilities and ask to view that stations Public File, that'll go a long way to make sure that the local managers are watching the store. Otherwise they won't have any reminders that the public is a real entity beyond reactions to the schmaltz that goes out over the air.
To save money (now more than ever) groups like CC hire the cheapest, loudest and most controllable talent they can find but like weaving in and out of traffic they pay the price when they're caught even if that price is only a price of doing business with the FCC.
Clear Channel like other group owners are hurting for ad revenue and will hope for a boycott at the most because that will blow over. What really hurts these fatcats is two words: license renewal.
When their bought and paid for licenses are threatened at renewal time, they have to expend resources to prove that they're the better applicant (money & lawyers). The old rule about the public "owning the airwaves" looks good in the glossy brochure but the FCC has been in the pocket of these spectrum hogs for more than 15 years.
Why wait for renewal time and instead get something in writing from the commission in the form of a formal public content complaint? Don't forget to wake the FCC up to the fact that Janet Napolitano has already profiled accurately the kind of hate talk/actions that this country doesn't need. Clear Channel will eventually step in their own pantload but they've learned to keep walking in the past.
For now, if you guys would visit Clear Channel facilities and ask to view that stations Public File, that'll go a long way to make sure that the local managers are watching the store. Otherwise they won't have any reminders that the public is a real entity beyond reactions to the schmaltz that goes out over the air.
To save money (now more than ever) groups like CC hire the cheapest, loudest and most controllable talent they can find but like weaving in and out of traffic they pay the price when they're caught even if that price is only a price of doing business with the FCC.
The Conservatives will just link it to the fake "fairness doctrine" controversy.
... the Fairness Doctrine was not fair or equitable, but HONEST.
That's the conservatives' REAL problem with the Fairness Doctrine.
That's the conservatives' REAL problem with the Fairness Doctrine.
Yes, my friend, the Fairness doctrine was honest, but, in their pursuit of money, the right wing which controlled the FCC back in 1987 was all about letting the market control the airwaves.
Result - the disenfranchisement of the poor and middle class from radio and television.
In light of this incident in Columbus, Ohio, I still say to our legislators - please reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, only this time, make it the law of the land.
Should this fail at the federal level, then I suggest we contact our state legislators to try it there.
And we can use this, as well as the example of the Knoxville Church Shooting of 2008, as the main reasons why the Fairness Doctrine should be law of the land.
Result - the disenfranchisement of the poor and middle class from radio and television.
In light of this incident in Columbus, Ohio, I still say to our legislators - please reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, only this time, make it the law of the land.
Should this fail at the federal level, then I suggest we contact our state legislators to try it there.
And we can use this, as well as the example of the Knoxville Church Shooting of 2008, as the main reasons why the Fairness Doctrine should be law of the land.
Instead of apologizing for their actions, it's the same-old "sorry if YOU were offended" BS the neo-fascists use all the time when caught being dicks.
"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" - Red Green
Freedom Ain't Free - Pay Your Share
But bigots/racists, definitely.
Clear Channel is the very bottom of the cesspit that commercial broadcasting has become. Almost all commercial radio stations have devolved into unlistenability, with plenty of help from Clear Channel as they bought them up. Clear Channel is known for its stations doing ridiculous and often over-the-top insensitive stunts and promotions, just to be more outrageous than the competition.
And oh, don't forget the Clear Channel-sponsored pro-war rallies during the run-up to the Iraq war, and the infamous playlist they imposed on their stations, prohibiting a number of antiwar songs from being played on their chain's stations.
And I guess the "race to the bottom" that Clear Channel's takeover of so many stations represented, which became possible due to deregulation of the industry, has been "successful". A lot of the stations they bought up are now gone, proving that the consolidation was a bad idea. Bye-bye, diversity and choice.
And oh, don't forget the Clear Channel-sponsored pro-war rallies during the run-up to the Iraq war, and the infamous playlist they imposed on their stations, prohibiting a number of antiwar songs from being played on their chain's stations.
And I guess the "race to the bottom" that Clear Channel's takeover of so many stations represented, which became possible due to deregulation of the industry, has been "successful". A lot of the stations they bought up are now gone, proving that the consolidation was a bad idea. Bye-bye, diversity and choice.
got banned right after 9-11.
They had us shaking in our boots.
They had us shaking in our boots.
is a right wing readio station. Their lineup includes Rush, Hannity, and other right wingers. Being a Columbus resident, I never listen to them, and the only people I know who listen to them are 70 year old racists. I hope they go out of business.
All of the worst wingnuts are on it, one right after the other all day long, every day, dripping poison into the veins of Columbus residents ignorant enough to listen to this horrid swill. Of course, it is a powerhouse of a station that can probably be picked up in Tibet.
Need I mention that Columbus, an increasingly "blue" city, has no progressive radio station and has a single newspaper that is very right-wing (it endorsed McCain and the Dipshit)?
Like in so many other places, the majority view here is given no voice at all. God bless America!
Need I mention that Columbus, an increasingly "blue" city, has no progressive radio station and has a single newspaper that is very right-wing (it endorsed McCain and the Dipshit)?
Like in so many other places, the majority view here is given no voice at all. God bless America!
The local media reported on the complaints but I didn't hear about this so-called apology today. Maybe tomorrow but doubt it.
It wouldn't, when all media in the city is controlled by conservatives.
Every station in town, radio or TV, will give this a pass. A radio station can promote racism and get no coverage. Instead, Columbus media promotes "the big story": Who won "American Idol."
I can remember when WTVN used to be a respected news source, but once Clear Channel got their hands on the station, it became just another outlet for pumping out the republican agenda.
I'm not surprised the station didn't give a genuine apology. They haven't done anything genuine in years.
Every station in town, radio or TV, will give this a pass. A radio station can promote racism and get no coverage. Instead, Columbus media promotes "the big story": Who won "American Idol."
I can remember when WTVN used to be a respected news source, but once Clear Channel got their hands on the station, it became just another outlet for pumping out the republican agenda.
I'm not surprised the station didn't give a genuine apology. They haven't done anything genuine in years.
Was this one of those 'to those of you too stupid to get that it was a joke' apologies?
Is there anything that you can't get away with saying as long as you finish it up with 'Just kidding'? The guy who moved next to Sarah Palin's house got the same thing from the Wasilla Frontiersman editorial page. Welcome and we'd like to remind you of our 'shoot to kill' laws...just kidding!
So how long is it going to be before somebody ACTUALLY poisons Pelosi or ACTUALLY takes a serious shot at Obama, quickly followed by 'I guess the assassin just didnt understand humour.'
Course, this was like Palin wanting Rahm Emmanuel fired for saying 'retarded'. And the excused Limbaugh calling liberals retards as 'satire'. And then going on the warpath again over that episode of Family Guy, which is CLEARLY satire.
IOKIYAR
Is there anything that you can't get away with saying as long as you finish it up with 'Just kidding'? The guy who moved next to Sarah Palin's house got the same thing from the Wasilla Frontiersman editorial page. Welcome and we'd like to remind you of our 'shoot to kill' laws...just kidding!
So how long is it going to be before somebody ACTUALLY poisons Pelosi or ACTUALLY takes a serious shot at Obama, quickly followed by 'I guess the assassin just didnt understand humour.'
Course, this was like Palin wanting Rahm Emmanuel fired for saying 'retarded'. And the excused Limbaugh calling liberals retards as 'satire'. And then going on the warpath again over that episode of Family Guy, which is CLEARLY satire.
IOKIYAR
Decided to take this off. I wasn't comfortable about one of the answers on my list.
Related to this issue, Clear Channel Outdoor, the corporate sister of Clear Channel Radio which is responsible for advertising activities, has headquarters in Arizona, but it is not a main target of the boycott.
