There's some controversy brewing as to whether the owner of AM 950 Air America Minnesota has a policy banning the discussion of gay marriage, abortion, and gun control.
The controversy began when Nick Coleman, Star Tribune columnist and talk show host on 950, went on hiatus at the end of July and then submitted his resignation on August 8. Part of his reason for leaving involved the dismissal of a board operator, and most suprisingly, a company policy that prohibits on-air discussion of gay marriage, abortion, and gun control. From Centrisity that has been digging deep into AM 950:
"6. Certain Subjects Prohibited
JR Broadcasting will not permit discussion of the issues of gun control, abortion, or gay marriage. It is the policy of JR Broadcasting that discussion around these issues tend to be more sensationalistic than substantial. In order to provide for reasoned, substantial discussion of other issues, JR Broadcasting prohibits discussion of gun control, abortion, or gay marriage. Exceptions to this policy can be obtained prior to broadcast by request in writing to the station Manager."
According to Janet Robert, AM 950 Station Manager, the original policy was just a draft and the final policy is this one [via Lloydletta]
"Because certain hot button social issues such as gun control, abortion, or gay marriage tend to arouse strong emotions among our listening audience, JR Broadcasting wishes to be respectful in discussing these issues. It is the position of JR Broadcasting that persons often hold positions on these issues as deeply held moral beliefs that therefore deserve respect, and focus on these issues can undermine the very opportunities we seek to advance.
In the event a host should ever wish to discuss these issues on the air, JR Broadcasting requests that the host notify the station manager prior to airing the discussion."
This is indeed a better policy, however the credibility of the station further suffers when we understand who Janet Roberts is [via Strib]:
"Robert ran for Congress in 2002 as a Democrat but did not embrace the party's liberal positions on abortion and gun issues."
We don't yet know where Roberts stands on gay rights, but Air America will need to do some serious damage control. I don't recall much discussion, if any, on the proposed amendment to end domestic partnerships and ban civil unions and same-sex marriage in Minnesota during the past session.
**********
Update: If you are here from RadioEqualizer, please keep in mind that I, and probably the rest my readership do support Air America. They do a hell of a lot better job with the news than that fat-ass drug addict Rush guy. But we also expect progressive radio to be accountable to it's audience.
Update 2: I moved this to the bottom so it won't distract from the real story, and to add to my Rush-bashing. Orcinus gives us a look at how Rush deals with the opposition: deport them.
Posted by Andy at August 17, 2005 11:34 AM
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Comments
Great post. Why must you preface it with a disclaimer with Fat-ass drug addict in it. That statement diminishes the post entirely. Im not a big fan of Rush Limbaugh but why the off handed slam. Seemed unnecessary and below your standards
Posted by: Lance | August 17, 2005 6:37 PM
I had considered overweight illegal substance user, but I think this country is getting a bit mired in politically correct speak. /sarcasm
And I think he can fend for himself, after all he is the king of namecalling, not to mention lies and half-truths.
Posted by: Andy | August 17, 2005 7:14 PM
If you exclude:
certain hot button social issues such as gun control, abortion, or gay marriage.
et al
then what?
How can you have talk radio
without talk?
Posted by: John Dean | August 17, 2005 7:38 PM
Lance,
He has to dis Rush in a vulgar, snarky way to establish his bona fides to his leftist readers. They have to have this in order to (sort of) listen to apostasy.
Anyway, at least this issue is being discussed at a "progressive" site. Kudos. It's more than most are able to handle.
Posted by: wadikitty | August 17, 2005 8:05 PM
It doesn't matter what they say. Nobody listens to Air America.
Not even fudge packers.
Posted by: David Owens | August 17, 2005 8:18 PM
I agree with the first poster, but hey, it's you're blog. If you can't report on Air America without that disclaimer (afraid you'll be called a sellout for reporting the truth???), shame on you.
But hey, it's your blog.
Posted by: bugaboo | August 17, 2005 8:20 PM
You blew it with the comment about Rush. Try stating your point without the sarcasm. If you want people to listen to your views, and try to change them, it wont work with sarcasm.
If you like to get all kinds of talk, then try KVI 570 in Seattle, most is local issure but when the get on National, the hit them hard and far
Posted by: Robb | August 17, 2005 9:09 PM
I love it when Moonbats have meltdowns. Just the word Rush makes them go nutty and shriek.
Ha
hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Posted by: kat | August 17, 2005 9:12 PM
Umm Hmm. I have not previously read your blog; no reason to return either. There is a reason why the station is an AM localizer.
As for Mr. Coleman and the local newspaper... Mr. Coleman needs to work the phone lines for NPR's fund raising. His words are empty but he is probably a talented data entry sort or maybe a clerk/typist.
Posted by: Bob | August 17, 2005 9:47 PM
kat I hope you follow up here. I think a savy right-minded filmmaker might do well in trying to produce "The Shriek of the Moonbat" could be done in blairwhitch style mocumentary. Four leftists go camping and are terrorized by midnight whipers of "Rush...Dubya....Bernard Goldberg....condie rice.....Rumsfeld" I'm tempted to call it "the China syndrome" but i'm sure there are compilcated licensing issues there
by the way, Where is Howard Dean? The rights most formidible vote getter?
Posted by: Mark | August 17, 2005 9:57 PM
If this is true about Nick Coleman, my opinion of him just went up a few notches.
Posted by: Wonderduck | August 17, 2005 10:35 PM
"Air America scandal? 9/11 commission coverup? Clinton lied about Bin Laden? Oh YEAH? Well...well....RUSH USED TO TAKE DRUGS!"
Moonbat.
Yawn.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 17, 2005 10:53 PM
I have the complete memo posted on Lloydletta. Nick Coleman also told me that Joe Palen - Nick's producer had Jim Kelly on to promote the pride festival, Janet asked what he was doing on the air. Joe responded by saying that AAM was airing commercials for the festival and figured we would promote it on both shows, especially since Wendy was doing the MC bit. Janet then, according to Nick's recollection of a conversation he had with Joe, told him that AAM shouldn't book Jim Kelly from the Pride Festival on the air again.
The Pride Festival should not sponsor Air America Minnesota any more until Janet Robert's is no longer the station manager.
I'll have more of the conversation with Nick on Monday.
Posted by: Eva Young | August 17, 2005 11:25 PM
We need a political opposition in this country. It will help keep us conservatives in shape, on target and productive.
The bashing I have seen just today of Coulter (spit tobacco juice in her face!- DU) , Malkin (Numerous references to her as an Asian sex worker), and now here again with the fat-ass comments about Rush without any attempt to present an argument against their ideas, has me worried that the left is losing it's moorings- to the detriment of our Country.
Posted by: khume | August 18, 2005 2:49 AM
Perhaps it's that the left are finally realizing that name-calling appeals to Americans. I mean Rush made himself famous by name-calling. Feminazis, environmentalist wackos, Bill Clinton as Bubba. The list could go on and on. The Right invented name-calling, and Malkin and Coulter are as guilty as any. Were you enamored with the Left as an opposition because we took the high road for so long? Are you making the assertion that name-calling was only a tactic of the Right until now?
Maybe we're just pissed off for getting pissed on for the last 5 years. Besides he is an over-weight illegal substance user. I haven't seen anyone of the name-callers visiting this site prove otherwise.
Posted by: Andy | August 18, 2005 3:03 AM
KHume,
"We need a political opposition in this country. It will help keep us conservatives in shape, on target and productive."
That's why Air America must go. Debating with a Mike Malloy listener is like talking with a KosSack, which is like "debating" a six-year-old who's just pounded a two-liter bottle of Coke.
And the best they can do is talk about Rush's weight or his addiction? Wow. OK. Janeane Garofalo is getting mighty pudgy! And Catherine Lanpher is a lush!
I feel sort of dirty now.
Can't wait to see the rest of Michelle and Joe's series. The insults will be - ooooh, ugly!
Posted by: M | August 18, 2005 7:32 AM
The right invented name calling?? Come on, you can do better than that Andy.... My goodness, do the FACTS ever matter to the Left???
Posted by: Diane | August 18, 2005 7:44 AM
So the Management of a radio station creates boundaries for its talent, and you're upset? Or surprised? If you owned a radio station, would you have standards? Or would it be your policy to allow all topics, all callers, all opinions to be aired?
I sincerely doubt it. Buy a radio station if you want free access to the airwaves, but when you work for someone else, you play by their rules.
Of course, if you really want to talk about anything you want...call Rush on Friday.
Posted by: Dave | August 18, 2005 9:20 AM
Air America's finances are as corrupt as its politics. It deserves a long, slow, painful, and very embarrassing death as it twists in the refreshing breeze of legal and public scrutiny. The gay lobby should avoid associating itself with or supporting such organizations, if it wants to be taken seriously.
And even on Rush's worst day, he presents reasoned, intelligent arguments that no amount of moonbat name-calling can drown out. Time to try a different tactic, like logic. Name-calling isn't working for any of the lefties.
Posted by: Jim Madison | August 18, 2005 10:07 AM
Maybe we're just pissed off for getting pissed on for the last 5 years.
Wow, has it been that long? Time flies... anyway, better put your poncho on, because you're likely to get doused for another 15 years as long as the far-left controls the DNC agenda.
Posted by: Will | August 18, 2005 4:09 PM
"Rush's worst day, he presents reasoned, intelligent arguments that no amount of moonbat name-calling can drown out. Time to try a different tactic, like logic."
Logic and Limbaugh. Christ, the guy is a druggie idiot! The man doesn't know how to construct a coherant arguement with legitimate facts. Check out the book Logic and Mr. Limbaugh.
And I love how the righties get on Air America for improprieties but don't give a shit about the 8 BILLION DOLLARS in tax funds that cannot be accounted for by the provisional government in reconstruction funds.
Posted by: ANON | August 18, 2005 4:50 PM
Rush is a fat-ass drug addict. Does the truth hurt?
Posted by: Anon | August 20, 2005 8:38 AM
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