NHMC files petition to deny KFI license renewal

[stevensonair]

If it's "no different" then I suppose KKLA should invite their listeners to phone harass atheist groups, who then should feel free to do the same to "family values" groups, the Spanish speaking stations should return in kind to anti-immigration groups, and so on.

That will certainly advance civilization.

Broadcasters have got to return to a sense of ethics. Profit and ethics are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Bob Hudson]

Broadcasters have got to return to a sense of ethics. Profit and ethics are not mutually exclusive.

You just don't get it do you? KFI merely repeated what the organization made public first. The organization's goal is to take down KFI, and they hoped to rally the public to join them in that fight. KFI and Clear Channel has the right to fight back and while they have a big voice, so do these rabble-rousers when the LA Times and other media outlets pickup their press releases.

If you don't want to play with the big dogs, stay on the porch.

 

[davideduardo]

I suppose KKLA should invite their listeners to phone harass atheist groups,

You are being obtuse if not totally dense.

If an atheist group issues a press release, and KKLA has a program that discusses aspects of religion and faith, it's certainly fair to give a number from the release and suggest listeners who disagree with the content of the release call and let the organization know that their views are not universally held.

That will certainly advance civilization.

More than that, it advances and nurtures our democracy. The opposite is repression and censorship.

Broadcasters have got to return to a sense of ethics. Profit and ethics are not mutually exclusive.

What you need is a little more common sense. The press release had a phone number in it, making that number public.

 

[stevensonair]

So your idea of common sense is to encourage talk radio hosts to use their position to troll and attract every crank caller within range of their 50,000 watts to barrage the opposition?

The opposite of that is civility - not "repression." I'm not calling for the government to fine KFI for this. I'm saying it's tasteless behavior.

The atheist organization isn't operating in the interest of KKLA listeners. They're advocating for THEIR cause. It's like telling a group of Catholics to call a synagogue or a Pentecostal church and stir up a religious debate. It's interference and trolling.

What we're talking about differs from "call your congressman" or "call the local school district." These organizations J&K encouraged their audience to call were not CLAIMING to represent KFI's audience - they were representing a group of people interested in immigration reform.

But since you think this is completely acceptable behavior, I suppose you fully support the reverse being done.

 

[davideduardo]

What we're talking about differs from "call your congressman" or "call the local school district." These organizations J&K encouraged their audience to call were not CLAIMING to represent KFI's audience - they were representing a group of people interested in immigration reform. done.

By your self-stated standard, a picket line is not "civil" as it does not represent the point of view of non-union members.

Any organization that looks for public support, pushes for legislation or promotes a point of view either secular or religious must accept the fact that those that disagree should and will speak out in opposition.

And if such an organization publicly reveals a phone number, they are to blame for whatever happens afterwards. That's the very nature of democracy.

 

[stevensonair]

There's a difference between disagreement and harassment. I think using a radio program to encourage an already opposed audience to waste the time and harass an opponent lobby organization is encouraging harassment. Not dialogue. Like I said, do you call a church you don't worship at and debate theology with them?

There's organizations that support what J&K support. The time and effort of their listeners would be better spent working with them, rather than phone-trolling the HMC.

 

[Thomps2525]

David, in the 1960s KRLA's license was in jeopardy because of rigged contests and falsified station logs, and there were challenges to the licenses of several of RKO's 13 radio stations and six tv stations...but has any Los Angeles-area station ever been stripped of its license solely because of a petition filed by a group such as the NHMC? And does Alex Nogales really want KFI to lose its license...or he is he just seeking a few changes to the station's on-air speech and conduct, along with the valuable publicity he and his organization will be getting?

 

[davideduardo]

David, in the 1960s KRLA's license was in jeopardy because of rigged contests and falsified station logs, and there were challenges to the licenses of several of RKO's 13 radio stations and six tv stations...but has any Los Angeles-area station ever been stripped of its license solely because of a petition filed by a group such as the NHMC? And does Alex Nogales really want KFI to lose its license...or he is he just seeking a few changes to the station's on-air speech and conduct, along with the valuable publicity he and his organization will be getting?

I have no idea what Alex specifically wants of KFI; in general, his organization looks for a positive portrayal of Hispanics in the media and greater opportunity for Hispanics to participate at the employment level.

KRLA's main license issue was foreign ownership, as Mr. Cooke was shown to be a Canadian citizen.

RKO lost the TV license and was "cornered" into selling off the other properties. The causal issue was violation of Federal legislation that prohibited corporate bribery of foreign governments and officials... in this case, in Libya and Argentina by parent General Tire.

I have seen very few license losses. Some, like WMJX in Miami were rigged contests. Others had to do with impropriety, as with Don Burden in Indianapolis, Portland, Omaha and Denver. Still others had to do with double billing like WFAB in Miami. And then there have been a few like the guy in Terre Haute who lost 6 stations when convicted of being a pervert and child molester.

In the 70's, groups like the United Church of Christ published books on how to file against license renewals. Usually, it was too expensive for private individuals to pursue a strike application. I saw up close a group file against an FM in Puerto Rico, WRSJ-FM, and win as the owner was not exercising control over the station and there were numerous violations including billing issues and technical violations.

KRLA of course lost its license, and was run by an interim operator until the license was granted to a new owner. Earle C. Anthony had to sell KECA when the FCC ended duopolies in the 40's.

I was amazed that the Prince of a Man who owned KOLA was not stripped of his license when he was convicted in a murder conspiracy... but it did not happen.

 

[davideduardo]

Like I said, do you call a church you don't worship at and debate theology with them?

Again: if a church issues a press release that encourages legislation in favor of something I disagree with, and there is a phone number or email address, I might be inclined to let them know that I was opposed to their goal and that they are not speaking for me.

That's the whole idea of protests, marches and public assembly, too.

 

[pianoplayer88key]

Ok, so while I absolutely do NOT expect it, what could happen if KFI's license renewal was denied? Would they go silent and take down the transmitter site completely (then other applicants try to get the 640 signal, even if it's not 50kW, or other stations try to change operations if KFI's no longer around to protect)? Go silent for a while pending sale to a new owner? Be donated to a 100-or-fewer-member Hispanic church? Be run by someone else with no business or personal ties to anyone connected with KFI? What could happen, in the extremely unlikely event the license isn't renewed?

 

[davideduardo]

Ok, so while I absolutely do NOT expect it, what could happen if KFI's license renewal was denied? Would they go silent and take down the transmitter site completely (then other applicants try to get the 640 signal, even if it's not 50kW, or other stations try to change operations if KFI's no longer around to protect)? Go silent for a while pending sale to a new owner? Be donated to a 100-or-fewer-member Hispanic church? Be run by someone else with no business or personal ties to anyone connected with KFI? What could happen, in the extremely unlikely event the license isn't renewed?

It used to be that, when a license is revoked, the current operator signed off and the FCC accepted applications, hearing were held, and a grant made. In that KFI is a former 1A clear channel, the application would have been for the same facility, maybe even using the prior owner's site if it could be bought.

After a revocation a former licensee has no rights to sell the license. They can only sell the assets, such as land and gear.

Today, it would appear that the channel would be put in the next auction and given to the highest bidder.