Posted on 08/26/2009 1:18:17 PM PDT by Domandred
Boston's two largest talk radio stations have responded to Ted Kennedy's passing by dumping their usual conservative programming and replacing it with local liberal supporters of the late senator.
WRKO-AM withheld its standard midmorning and early afternoon lineup of Laura Ingraham and Rush Limbaugh, replacing it with a special show hosted by convicted felon / former House Speaker Tom Finneran, a Democrat best known for circumventing a voter-approved cut in the state income tax.
Known as "Tommy Taxes" for that legislative maneuver, Finneran is normally heard in morning drive.
A choked-up Finneran told listeners that Kennedy's passing was much more difficult to experience than he'd believed and discussed "the positive economic impact" of Ted K's reign. Meanwhile, Rush Limbaugh fans tuning in at noon were denied their opportunity to hear his take on the day's events.
According to an inside source within Entercom / Boston's cluster of stations, WRKO has been "inundated" with angry callers objecting to the censorship of Limbaugh.
Meanwhile, at WTKK-FM, the timeslot normally occupied by conservative Michael Graham was given to local liberal advice talker Mel Robbins, who used the time to deliver syrupy tributes to Kennedy. She also asked callers for their "positive experiences" dealing with the senator. Criticism of his tenure was not heard.
It's possible that Graham was already off for the day (though that isn't indicated at WTKK's site), but the slot could have been filled by a like-minded host and wasn't.
Given the unexpected actions by WRKO and WTKK's respective corporate owners, it's hard to consider this anything other than a form of self-censorship that could make a number of foreign tyrants proud.
Heard this on Schnitt on my way back in to work from lunch. Had to go get article for posting.
Just wow.
Note to Admin Mods: I realize this is from a blog but think this one deserves posting in news/current events.
Change post area if desired.
That would not be censorship.
Not surprising. All of New England viewed him as their King.
“I can see your true colors, shining through.”
Awe give ‘em two days out of respect for the Dead, then it’ll be back to normal (this would only matter if the ‘switch was permanent’!)..
And how is preventing an opinion from bein expressed ( which ordinarily is expressed on that station) not be censorship?
You are correct. However, I’m sure the sponsors of the ads that were scheduled to run during these slots were pissed....wonder if the station gave them a rebate for airing obviously lower value timeslot commercials.....instead of pinging the radio station, I’d call the damn advertisers and complain.
That would not be censorship.
Yea I know, they are both private entities and can pretty much change programming at any time if they want. (I get ticked when my local stations cut Glenn Beck for college football).
Still though their listeners are not going to be happy at all expecting Rush and getting “A choked-up Finneran”. /snore.
This just in btw, Michael Jackson...still dead (maybe).
Guys, if the local radio bosses think this serves their audience best, then let the market mechanism work.
Nothing wrong with that.
Howie is censoring the Chump Line. And I believe there was a winner in the Death Pool.
Hey... it’s their ratings.
The local Fox affiliate (Fox 25) this a.m. didn't even run weather and traffic reports (I was watching from about quarter of 6 to quarter past). I guess they thought everyone would be staying home to mourn and didn't need to know weather and traffic!
Well, first of all the radio station has no obligation to present all opinions.
However, if you would like to force radio stations to force radio stations to present all opinions, you can write your Congressman and ask him to support "The Fairness Doctrine."
I think its already posted but it didn’t get sidebar. I think people should let these stations hear a very very clear message.
Here in Chicago I listen in the morning to Laura at the Boston online web and when I heard the libs fawning over Teddy this morning I switched to my standby online listening of Glenn Beck at http://www.55krc.com/main.html
Yes -- he announced that right out of the box! Didn't he say the producers (call screeners) on the expanded local coverage had their work cut out for them keeping out the truly tasteless callers?
Look at it and cringe, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to tear these fascist towers down!NOT IN AMERICA. FASCISM HAS NO PLACE HERE!
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