Here we go again... Lonsberry in hot water

[scooterodell]

Details available here:

http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S479191.shtml?cat=566

I understand how the proponents of the programs Lonsberry criticized would be upset; I'd be upset if he picked on my pet project, too. I don't think it is worthy of any type of action on CC's part, though. He was discussing a community issue, albeit crassly, but no more so than you would get from any number of "shock jocks" on the air. Seems like something that really is no big deal... but I could be wrong.

 

[cee]

Lonsberry

What an asshole this guy is.

 

[Element9]

Apparently Bob's perfect, never made a mistake or needed a second chance. Most of the men and women who do talk radio like to play the higher moral ground thing. Can't say that any of this is a big surprise.

 

[The Beave]

Technically the students and school district could file comments with the FCC against the station.

I personally back the Jock's right to make his personal comments known. I also back the decision and statement of the station. If they condoned it, They should own the baggage.

 

[luvcoors]

Beave...

First of all...it's OK to have an opinion...it's what this board is here for. But to say a jock is OK to "make his personal comments known"?
Hell no in this situation!

You sound like another young one that thinks just because they have a mic...it's OK to say whatever. Not the case anymore!

Bob's on another one of his racist rants again...and something like this could cause problems with stockholders IF someone chooses to file suit over this and enlist the help of various rights groups!

Lonsberry didn't learn from the last time and certainly won't win this time...way to offend women, families, and African Americans all over Rochester in one break Bob! If I'm the Rochester School District, I find a way to file suit ASAP. If I'm another rights group, I find a way to fast track this issue to Hilary's office. And then find way to make this topic national, so that Clear Channel receives a pile of negative press until he's dismissed.

This incident won't die!

 

[The Beave]

Beave...

First of all...it's OK to have an opinion...it's what this board is here for. But to say a jock is OK to "make his personal comments known"?
Hell no in this situation!

You sound like another young one that thinks just because they have a mic...it's OK to say whatever. Not the case anymore!

Bob's on another one of his racist rants again...and something like this could cause problems with stockholders IF someone chooses to file suit over this and enlist the help of various rights groups!

Lonsberry didn't learn from the last time and certainly won't win this time...way to offend women, families, and African Americans all over Rochester in one break Bob! If I'm the Rochester School District, I find a way to file suit ASAP. If I'm another rights group, I find a way to fast track this issue to Hilary's office. And then find way to make this topic national, so that Clear Channel receives a pile of negative press until he's dismissed.

This incident won't die!

I did not hear the first issue, but the tape of the 2nd the incident made it all the way to radio outlets in the southwest.

If it happened here in Arizona, (and it has reciently) and the station allows it or does nothing about it... I guess the public will have to deal with CC. IF it is considered indecent by the FCC via public comments, then that's something they will need to deal with. I have been in Talk radio, and music radio 15+ years, in a top 20 market for 3 of those 15. This crap happens almost every single day. I'm 39 years old and I have been in programming and ops in my 15 or so. Yes it stinks, but right now all most all corporations care about - ESPECIALLY CC, is the bottom line and how much they will make at the end of the quarter/FY.

If it was a family run station or located in SLC, sure the guy would be out in a second.

Progressive Talk is somewhat more "Open" on what they bring to the listeners, and of course it gets heated. Especially on topics like Racism, Immigration, and Even gas prices.

IF an announcer had pulled a "Dr. Johnny Fever" and said the word "Booger" on the air, would you be so upset? I don't think so.. I think it would be noted but not much fuss would be made.

There are even live reads on some stations that I have listened to that have advertised adult bookstores and entertainment, I did inquire about the ad, and I was told: in the ad read the place does a public service - "they have free handicap parking". Mind you this is in Arizona. If it happened on Air America, heads would roll.

 

[The Beave]

Here is recient article of the same thing with another host... only different. I believe this is the article that will make my point.
http://www.azbiz.com/articles/2008/06/13/media_technology/inside_media/doc4852b495e8e52057045680.txt

 

[fybush]

If it was a family run station or located in SLC, sure the guy would be out in a second.

The irony...oh, the irony...

(Am I correct in recalling that Lonsberry was never off the air at his other gig - yeah, the one at KNRS, "Family Values Talk Radio" in Salt Lake City - during the last flap?)

 

[The Beave]

If it was a family run station or located in SLC, sure the guy would be out in a second.

The irony...oh, the irony...

(Am I correct in recalling that Lonsberry was never off the air at his other gig - yeah, the one at KNRS, "Family Values Talk Radio" in Salt Lake City - during the last flap?)

I don't know you tell me...

 

[slickkicker]

He's a nobody! This guy is being paid to be an imbecile. Only the worst of the worst end up getting ignored in Rochester and freakin' Salt Lake City. Stop getting ruffled over this loser.

 

[The Beave]

Slick,

You are right...but apparently some still need an education in "Talk Radio 101".

 

[The Voice of Reason]

WHAM's management isn't about to deep-six this bafoon because, unfortunately, he attracts an audience to that station. The last time something like this happened ( The Mayor Johnson-Monkey remarks) Lonsberry was still drawing a paycheck for doing a radio talk show from the comfort of his home in Livingston County. Meanwhile WHAM's management replaced him with this guy from out-of-town, knowing damn well that he would bomb in the ratings, giving WHAM the excuse to bring back "Ned Flanders." The Superintendent of Rochester Schools and all the ministers in the city can call for Lonsberry's head but they won't get it. WHAM doesn't care about that audience; all they are interested in is right-wing older white folks. When I remember WHAM used to be a station that was home to Slattery and Haefner, David A. Sennett and other talented folks who entertained without insulting us, plus played decent music. Now it's just another right-wing watering hole.

 

[cee]

The best comment I've read yet on this controversy I found on the Democrat and Chronicle online public blogs. Here's one wise citizen's take on the matter:

if you want to oppose Lonsberry's message of hate, then contact Genesee Valley Automotive; Vision Dodge and the rest of WHAM's advertisers and tell them that you are not going to shop at their establishments.

Agreed. While I stick to my original post that Lonsberry is an asshole and, more specifically, either a crypto racist asshole or merely an asshole who panders to local rednecks, it seems to me his comments are in a gray area regarding freedom of speech. If an on-air host came right out and said "******'s suck" he/she would be booted off the air and his employers would be well justified in doing so. But this seems to be the kind of new crypto racism that these guys are known for. "Hey I didn't say anything against (fill in the blank minority group), I was merely pointing out...."

But we all know why he said it - cause he wanted to stir up dumb local rednecks who enjoy harboring bitter thoughts toward blacks(and other minorities) because they think they're getting special privileges. Disconnect from reality.

 

[luvcoors]

WHAM's management isn't about to deep-six this bafoon because, unfortunately, he attracts an audience to that station. The last time something like this happened ( The Mayor Johnson-Monkey remarks) Lonsberry was still drawing a paycheck for doing a radio talk show from the comfort of his home in Livingston County. Meanwhile WHAM's management replaced him with this guy from out-of-town, knowing damn well that he would bomb in the ratings, giving WHAM the excuse to bring back "Ned Flanders." The Superintendent of Rochester Schools and all the ministers in the city can call for Lonsberry's head but they won't get it. WHAM doesn't care about that audience; all they are interested in is right-wing older white folks. When I remember WHAM used to be a station that was home to Slattery and Haefner, David A. Sennett and other talented folks who entertained without insulting us, plus played decent music. Now it's just another right-wing watering hole.

Voice...

You're always on the ball...but I think it's also a different "time" in 2008 vs. 2003. We're 4 months and change away from having the 1st ever AA president of the U.S. Lonsberry has/is always been someone who thinks he's bigger than life...he's not a Rush or Hannity that people will just say is misunderstood. He basically in the course of a minute or so...angered more than half the market with his slanted views. Do you honestly think there's not a portion of his older audience that didn't go thru the same thing when they were younger and can't relate to these kids he slammed?

That's why I'm saying...those local rights groups and the school district need to go on the offensive to get him off the air once and for all by going to people that will also take up the fight as well. Can you imagine being a CC AE and having to go into a business now and trying to sell his show after he slammed women, AA's, and education? Not in Rochester...they'll see the $$$ impact as well.

His job is to offer his perspective on local, national, and world issues...without crossing the line. He COULD have voiced his displeasure with the program in general without saying it the way he did and without being racist...but he chose to be "Bob" again and made a fool of himself while putting his career in jeopardy. I really think it's over...within 60 days.

 

[umtrr-author]

Quote from WHAM posted on WHEC (Channel 10) website:

WHAM-AM defends the right of its on-air personalities to express their opinions as long as no FCC rules are violated. WHAM-AM also defends the right of its listeners to disagree with those opinions.

I go one step further, and exercise my right to not listen... every day in fact.

I had a conversation with someone a number of years ago, who made a statement that I find hard to completely disagree with: "Rochester isn't racist as much as it is classist." Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, but I am reminded of "Smugtown USA" written many years ago.

In either case, as has been pointed out, the offended are not in WHAM's target market.

 

[luvcoors]

Directly...maybe not, I'm sure there's a very small percentage of young AA women that listen to WHAM. But there's a lot of older women that do listen and will/have interpreted this as a slam against women. Older AA men....sure there's some. 35-54 middle and upper class that happen to support reforms and programs like this one. You mean to tell me that some of WHAM's female audience aren't young moms that are now 35+?

If I'm the DKX folks...I spin the hell out of tis on the street and also provide a forum for the offended to respond back!

 

[The Beave]

In either case, as has been pointed out, the offended are not in WHAM's target market.

I love that attitude. Yeah Buddy!

 

[DaleGriffin]

There are even live reads on some stations that I have listened to that have advertised adult bookstores and entertainment, I did inquire about the ad, and I was told: in the ad read the place does a public service - "they have free handicap parking". Mind you this is in Arizona. If it happened on Air America, heads would roll.

Mind you, this is made up.

 

[The Beave]

There are even live reads on some stations that I have listened to that have advertised adult bookstores and entertainment, I did inquire about the ad, and I was told: in the ad read the place does a public service - "they have free handicap parking". Mind you this is in Arizona. If it happened on Air America, heads would roll.

Mind you, this is made up.

Not really... KFYI-AM in Phoenix did actually play adult bookstore ads at night, After 10 pm back in 1991 to 1998 I was the producer who "actually" played the spots as logged. I did ask Mr. Forrest Spencer (Programming Mgr.) about that peticular spot, and that was his "EXACT" reply.

Mind you Phoenix radio has and continues to ride the envelope in N/T since even before Tom Leykis made the cut at KFI - Los Angeles.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Imagine. A right-wing talk-show host expressing an opinion that's unpopular with left-wingers. Distasteful, but hardly illegal. I haven't seen anything that approaches the definition of "indecent".

Lonsberry's an idiot. According to the constitution, he has a right to be an idiot. His employers know that he's an idiot, but he brings in ratings because he reflects the views of enough people in the listening audience, plus the people who tune in to be annoyed by him.

Nothing is likely to change unless there is a monetary penalty for putting him on the air. Boycotting sponsors might work, or legal action against WHAM might work if the cost outweighs the increase in ratings from people who tune in expecting to be outraged. Otherwise, all the outrage is just free publicity for Lonsberry's show.