WXXI hires new music host

[The Voice of Reason]

Posted by Stuart Low/Democrat & Chronicle • November 3, 2011 • 7:28 am

http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/rocart/2011/11/03/wxxi-hires-new-music-host/

Regular listeners to WXXI-FM came to appreciate Chris Van Hof as a level-headed, well-informed music host who took his work seriously.

A little too seriously, maybe. He recently left to pursue a doctoral degree in music, leaving WXXI-FM with the horrifying prospect of dead air on weekday afternoons.

Just in time, the station found a replacement: Mona Seghatoleslami, a classical music announcer for West Virginia Public Radio. She studied musicology at Indiana University and viola performance at Illinois State University. Her new home will be the South Wedge.

She takes to the airwaves on Nov. 14, with a weekday shift from 2 to 7 p.m. Listeners will be burning to know how her last name is pronounced, and whether the unappreciated viola will finally get the respect it deserves in future broadcasts.


I have to raise the question how many 'male' applicants were seriously considered for this job?
From the number of hires over the past few years, the radio division at WXXI tends to favor female applicants over male applicants.

The radio station can employ whomever it desires. But I for one think that WXXI's radio division and its Vice President practices gender discrimination. Look at the current make up of the on-air radio staff as an example. There is only one full-time male employee and he has been at the station for a number of years. Should he leave or retire, my guess is that he will be replaced by a woman.

Before I get 'bashed' by the regular armchair quarterbacks who post on here, including Dr. Bob, understand I have no qualms when it comes to hiring women. However I am opposed to a quota system; especially practiced by a not-for-profit organization that relies on taxpayer dollars to operate.

In my book is it discrimination: Plain and Simple!


[Link added by Radio-Info.com as a courtesy]

 

[Philip_Airtime]

Talk about "arm chair quarterbacks," VOR! You're the lead offender. "Dr. Bob" is no arm chair quarterback. He's a full-time employee at WXXI whom many of us on this board hold in high regard. His words have credibility, especially when it comes to WXXI. You're attacking him even before he weighs in. The bottom line is that you have absolutely no proof of employment discrimination at WXXI, yet you make the claim.

Okay, you have the right to your opinion that WXXI has too many women on its payroll. Personally, I think it's heartening to see a radio station line-up of all female announcers in the major dayparts. It wasn't too long ago that announcing staffs on most radio stations in America were exclusively white male. And keep in mind that women announcers, especially in AM drive, often play second fiddle to the male host, even today. Note that it was Beth Adams and not Chet Walker who was cut by CC at WHAM last week. IMO, things would have to change drastically for white males in broadcasting to make the claim that they're being discriminated against. If anything, the enemy is now the computer (automation, voice tracking, etc.) and not competition from female announcers.

I would argue employment discrimination is a crime. Companies are fined for such actions. So, I would think you'd need better evidence than simply looking at the names on an employee roster before making such a charge.

Maybe this new host was simply more qualified than all other candidates for this slot.

VOR, you obviously have some sort of vendetta against WXXI and its management. Perhaps your motives are pure and simply based on your often-stated objection to the salary and benefits WXXI's top managers receive. But if you're going to be so cavalier in charging WXXI with employment discrimination, then perhaps I and others are not out of line in speculating that there is a more deep-seated reason for your unrelenting criticism of anything WXXI-related.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

VOR, you obviously have some sort of vendetta against WXXI and its management. Perhaps your motives are pure and simply based on your often-stated objection to the salary and benefits WXXI's top managers receive. But if you're going to be so cavalier in charging WXXI with employment discrimination, then perhaps I and others are not out of line in speculating that there is a more deep-seated reason for your unrelenting criticism of anything WXXI-related.

Simon Pontin retires. Replaced by a woman
AM news director resigns. Replaced by a woman
Senior news producer (male) takes early retirement. Replaced by a woman
Male radio news reporter resigns. Replaced by a woman
TV director (male)takes early retirement. Replaced by a woman.
TV production director (male) job eliminated. Replaced by a woman.

Coincidence or evidence?

This is just the tip of the iceberg Phil. You have no idea what goes on there, so save the preaching for Sunday church service.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Maybe it's simply that they can get away with paying women less. That seems to happen throughout the business world. Female voices are more readily accepted by public radio audiences than commercial audiences.

Voice, why don't you admit that you either want to work at WXXI, or run WXXI? No matter what they do, you find fault. And yet, you say that you neither listen to them nor support them.

Just who applied for the position? Who would your choice be? Do you know what their credentials are, and how they sound on the air? Could there be other circumstances, like this woman was hired part-time by a local college, and part-time by WXXI, so she'd trying to put together enough income to make it work in Rochester?

You're long on opinion, but very short on facts. Maybe you should ask some questions before you start rendering judgement. Or, put some facts out there to support your opinions. So far, you've provided a laundry list, and innuendo. You're right, I have no idea what goes on there. If you do, let's hear it, and name some names. You're anonymous here, so repercussions shouldn't be a problem.

 

[therealjm12]

Many years ago when I was early in my career in broadcasting I applied at several stations, in attempt to move up. Even at WXXI when they were on Alexander Street. Yes, I am old. I usually met all the qualifications for the jobs and did have experience and a good track record. They interviews would go great. I would walk out the door convinced I got the job. Then weeks would go by and I wouldn't hear anything. I would call and was told no decision has been made, but I was very high on the list of applicants. Then more time would go by. Sometimes I would get a very polite letter saying thanks but no thanks. Sometimes nothing. I would latter learn that the job went to a woman, an African American, an Eskimo, whatever.
You know, I really did understand. People had been held down. I had enough confidence in myself that I knew I would make out ok. But now it's many years later. Generations have gone by. The extra chances have been given. Maybe it's time to start hiring people on their qualifications and merit first. It might make things go better everywhere not just broadcasting.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Maybe it's simply that they can get away with paying women less. That seems to happen throughout the business world. Female voices are more readily accepted by public radio audiences than commercial audiences.

Voice, why don't you admit that you either want to work at WXXI, or run WXXI? No matter what they do, you find fault. And yet, you say that you neither listen to them nor support them.

Just who applied for the position? Who would your choice be? Do you know what their credentials are, and how they sound on the air? Could there be other circumstances, like this woman was hired part-time by a local college, and part-time by WXXI, so she'd trying to put together enough income to make it work in Rochester?

You're long on opinion, but very short on facts. Maybe you should ask some questions before you start rendering judgement. Or, put some facts out there to support your opinions. So far, you've provided a laundry list, and innuendo. You're right, I have no idea what goes on there. If you do, let's hear it, and name some names. You're anonymous here, so repercussions shouldn't be a problem.

In response to your long-winded diatribe, the person with the best qualifications should get the job: Period.

I've pointed out, quite accurately, that there is a proven trend that most, if not all, ON AIR radio positions that became vacant either through resignation or retirement were filled by women.

What are the odds of that?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Many years ago when I was early in my career in broadcasting I applied at several stations, in attempt to move up. Even at WXXI when they were on Alexander Street. Yes, I am old. I usually met all the qualifications for the jobs and did have experience and a good track record. They interviews would go great. I would walk out the door convinced I got the job. Then weeks would go by and I wouldn't hear anything. I would call and was told no decision has been made, but I was very high on the list of applicants. Then more time would go by. Sometimes I would get a very polite letter saying thanks but no thanks. Sometimes nothing. I would latter learn that the job went to a woman, an African American, an Eskimo, whatever.
You know, I really did understand. People had been held down. I had enough confidence in myself that I knew I would make out ok. But now it's many years later. Generations have gone by. The extra chances have been given. Maybe it's time to start hiring people on their qualifications and merit first. It might make things go better everywhere not just broadcasting.

Yours is not the first time that I've heard directly or indirectly from someone who applied for a job and despite being more than qualified was rejected. Ironically all of these people were men.

 

[SirRoxalot]

In response to your long-winded diatribe, the person with the best qualifications should get the job: Period.

Let me ask a short-winded question. Do you know that the people hired weren't the best qualified people willing to work for the available salary?

 

[Philip_Airtime]

I know of several male colleagues who have worked for WXXI. Hey, I've been interviewed several times for a position at a radio station, believing I nailed the interview, only to be told some time later that someone else was selected. That's life! The fact that someone else was selected is not evidence of wrongdoing. I know of a public radio station that has a male-only staff. Do I think that's intentional? Of course not! It's just that at the time of the particular search when these positions opened, I assume the white male was the most qualified choice. This thread is mind boggling. I can't believe we're even discussing this.

 

[Bob1370]

Nothing governs staff selection except a combination of talent and credentials. Seen it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears. Case closed.

Friendly advice to "Voice of Reason", who seems inexplicably obsessed with one particular station for God only knows what reason...for your own good, please get a life.

 

[Mark Giardina]

For those of you who may not know me, I worked at WXXI-AM 1370 from 1990 to 2004 as a local news anchor for Morning Edition and later All Things Considered. During those 14 years there were both males and females employed in the radio division either in the news department, on FM as classical music hosts, along with support staff.

During my years at the station I never witnessed any preferential treatment when it came to the hiring of personnel.

I must say in all honesty the news department was staffed with highly qualified individuals who worked as a team for the sole purpose to provide our listeners with the highest professional product we could produce. That high standard remains today not only at WXXI but countless public radio and TV stations across this country.

People don't get into broadcasting to become millionaires; they choose this career because either their love of classical or other types of music not normally heard on radio these days, or providing listeners with the latest news and information.

Why the Voice of Reason feels the need to continue his or her attacks against WXXI is only known to that person. I can only offer the following suggestions:

If this person is upset with the salary CEO Norm Silverstein makes then apply for his job.

If this person feels there are too many females being hired at WXXI, then submit a resume for a position on the Board of Directors.

If this person doesn't like the programming on WXXI then don't listen.

Sincerely yours,

Mark Giardina