Q92 verses MRDD .. A Bigger issue here !

[The Voice]

If you have been following the story about Q92 radio and their tasteless broadcasts which basically taunts and makes fun of those with mental retardation and Downs Syndrome,on the air; then you'll know that mental retardation advocates have been fighting back. As a thirty year broadcast
veteran, I am the first to say that Q92 needed to issue a public apology and
stop what there were doing.. what they did was 'morally irresponsible' to the community that they serve .. Now; as for the other side of the story.. once
this issue was brought to the attention of mental retardation advocates, needless to say they were appauled.. they DEMANDED an apology..and,
apparently to make sure that they were going to get it, and get the program
host fired.. they allegedly appraoched Q92's advertisers in efforts to get those advertisers to pull their commercials .. Now; I am the first to agree that what this station did was irresponsible media and since they ARE a media, they should have taken responsibility on their own to settle this and apologize to the community .. case closed!.. In my opinion, another issue took place here that I feel was much more damaging than irresponsible goofballs on a radio show.. By forcing a media to do somthing by threatening to pull their commercials is an ethical issue that directly affects the stations right to free speech.. Why didn't the station stand up to the advocates because of this ?
I don't know. To me; somthing much bigger went on here ..sadly; it was another case of business manipulating free speech .. When all is said and done, Q92 was 'morally irresponsible' for what they did .. HOWEVER the mental retardation advocates and the advertisers that would bend down to their cause were 'ethically irresponsible'.. 'A sad day for Free Speech.'

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[Kamd50]

Idk Voice, I say more power to the people for standing up for what is right and good in this world where anything goes and anyone is fair game despite their handicap or unfortunate circumstances. They excercised their right to protest and be proactive as well. I wish more people would do the same. They saw something that was unjust and cruel, and instead of sitting around crying about it, they took action. I suspect that you may feel maybe a little bit differently if your own son was one of those who was the target of ridicule and bad taste, as any of us would.

[pnthrfan]

I totally agree with Kamd.......I think it is GREAT that these people called in and made their voices heard. We teach our children to except others for who they are, not what they can or can't do. We teach them that there are some people with physical disabilities, and others that are mentally challenged. These challenges do not make them less of a person. We want our children to learn how to treat others, and for this guy to have a show where people are supposed to call in and sing a song like a mentally retarted person would and have others call in to "name that tune".........what is that teaching our children?? It is teaching our children that if someone is mentally or physiically challenged that they are to be laughed at. Made fun of. That they are less of a person .
The D.J then went on to say, that he didnt' realize that some people would be offended...( really??) and quote: "Actually I do know where you’re coming from. I have a cousin that has Down syndrome so I can relate to those who made complaints about it." I'll tell you what...if what he said is true and (i doubt it) and he does have a cousin with Down syndrome, and if I was his cousin's Mom or Dad, I would personally slug this guy in the gut.
We don't need these kind of people on the radio, or television spewing this kind of crap for all to hear and see. I don't care if this falls under freedom of speech or not, we don't need it.

[The Voice]

I too agree with the stand up and don't take the $hit .. especially when something like this goes on.. if the guy worked for me, I would fire him immedietly and rip his lips off so he couldn;t pull that crap again ..there are all kinds of causes.. I too am compassionate about those with special needs.. I am also compassionate about many other issues that we face in our lives.. that however was not the point I was trying to make.. It could have been
a whole other issue that has nothing at all to do with our special needs community .. it is the WAY the advocates bullied the advertisers and made them bend.. It was the way the station took a knee .. it was the way that the advocates flexed their muscles using intimidation that directly affects
ethics and free speech.. what that group of advocates did (no matter what cause they were supporting and protecting) was also a violation .... sure.. the individual situation called for picketing.. hell.. rioting.. BUT NOT
ethical manipulation.. and yes that is somthing you should care about!

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[DAWGH8R]

How can you blame the DJ??? You think that all this stuff isn't run by the program manager first ??

[pnthrfan]

it is the WAY the advocates bullied the advertisers and made them bend.. It was the way the station took a knee ..

First of all , the station took a knee because they knew they were in the wrong . Secondly, when a group of people decide to protest, are they not within their rights to use whatever means it takes to make sure their voices are heard...(within reason). The reason that Scheetz was contacted, is because they are a huge sponsor for the Special Olympics. I see nothing wrong with that.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe if they hadn't contacted Scheetz, the radio station still might air that show? I see nothing wrong with putting some heat on the radio station to make sure that show was never played again. Remember .....Everybody has the right to Freedom of Speech in this country , and in this case....even the advocates for the MRDD do.

[longtimefirsttime]

How can you blame the DJ??? You think that all this stuff isn't run by the program manager first ??

It is my understanding that the segment ran for close to seven months (before MRDD advocates heard it and passed the word). It's nearly impossible to think it was run without the knowledge and consent of upper management.

If you ask people in radio circles about that station they will talk your ear off.

Voice, freedom of speech in traditional radio has been gone for years now. With broadcasters fearing a maximum fine of $325-thousand for each offense (anything deemed indecent) creativity is at an all-time low and that's what has fueled satellite radio.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071001245_pf.html

[pnthrfan]

=longtimefirsttime
Voice, freedom of speech in traditional radio has been gone for years now. With broadcasters fearing a maximum fine of $325-thousand for each offense (anything deemed indecent) creativity is at an all-time low and that's what has fueled satellite radio.

And that is fine.....put it on satellilte radio..they can do and say whatever they want , and the people that will hear it , are the ones that are willing to pay and WANT to hear it. That way noone can complain.

[longtimefirsttime]

Believe me I'm not condoning the segment. I heard it one night and didn't think it was funny. A "red flag" certainly should have been raised when it was proposed.

[The Voice]

referring to satellite.. kinda sad that we now have to PAY for freedom of speech.. and yes; it is sad that freedom of speech in radio is long gone.. it has pretty much turned to freedom of speech as long as the advertisers agree...

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[Smitty]

.... it has pretty much turned to freedom of speech as long as the advertisers agree...


You didn't know that "freedom" has a price tag attached to it?

:wall:

[monte81]

I worked as a MRDD Manager for three years and some of those residents I had were smarter than so called normal people I know! The upper management should of took the axe for the segments!

[longtimefirsttime]

You didn't know that "freedom" has a price tag attached to it?

:wall:

I understand the point you're trying to make. But the "price tag" in the radio business makes for a boring product.