Tampa Bay
Coalition
Say No 2 Radio Hate
Campaign
Media
Release
For Immediate Release
Dated: July 15, 2003
From: Tampa Bay Coalition (TBC)
Contact: R. Zeke
Fread
Coordinator & Organizer
Phone: (813) 251-0693
As Coordinator and
Organizer of Tampa Bay Coalition, I am sickened and appalled by the
constant
barrage of hatred being
spewed against gays and others over the air waves. Most recent it has
been
by Michael Savage of
"The Savage Nation".
Although, I am extremely thankful and commend MSNBC
for
their decision immediately to cancel
"The Savage Nation". I do remain somewhat
disappointed that
with MSNBC knowing
full well that Savage revels in
spewing his ignorant hate mongering rhetoric, that
they would give
him a platform to do this in the first
place. I do question, whether
his ratings were not as
pitiful as they were, if
their decision may not
have been the same? But, I do give the powers that be at MSNBC, credit for
doing the right
thing and doing it immediately. Instead, of waiting for
a firestorm of outraged viewers flooding
MSNBC with messages
demanding they fire Savage's hate mongering butt.
As we do have much cause to celebrate, that Michael Savage's
"The Savage Nation" will no longer be beamed into our homes and our
television screens. But, this will do little stop Savage from spewing
his relentless diatribes of hatred against Gays, Lesbians,
Bisexuals, Transgenders, Liberals, People of Color, Middle Eastern Heritage, Muslim Faith and Woman. In
fact, after MSNBC fired him for his reprehensible hateful comments, Savage has
only increased his despicable diatribes of hate ten fold. By the use of
the radio broadcasting stations that continue to air and corporate sponsors whom
continue to support, "The Savage Nation".
Of course, Michael Savage, as do all Americans, have
the right to free speech. This right to free speech, allows Michael Savage to voice
his personal beliefs, opinions and views on
his radio talk show, no matter how insulting,
hateful, offensive and denigrating they are to others. And radio stations and corporations have the
right to choose which programs they wish to air, sponsor and/or to associate themselves with.
However, when a radio station chooses to air and
corporations choose to sponsor a
program and they completely ignore
the insulting, hateful, offensive and
denigrating effects these
programs will have on the lives
of others. It's blatantly apparent, the motivating factor
for their decision is solely based on ratings and the old mighty dollar.
This only serves to perpetuate dominance of "hate radio" over the airwaves. For this, all the radio broadcasting stations and
corporate sponsors of such programs, such as "The Savage
Nation", should be ashamed of themselves and held accountable for their actions.
It is up to us, to call upon all radio broadcasting
stations to implement a "Fairness Doctrine" to ensure that
all coverage of controversial
issues by a broadcast station be balanced and fair. This would ensure
that not only the views of the Michael Savage's of the
airwaves will be heard. But, those with opposing view points,
will also have the same
opportunity to be heard, without
being cut off. Without implementing such a policy
that would offer listeners
balanced and fair coverage of views on controversial issues. We will be left
with
no other options, than, to avail
ourselves of our right to free speech and to speak out
against the radio broadcasting stations and corporations
that sponsor and support "hate radio" on the airwaves. And take
whatever actions we deem essential
to put an end to the perpetuating dominance of "hate radio".
We will boycott radio broadcasting stations which continue
to air, Michael Savage's "The Savage
Nation".
We will boycott the products and services of "all
commercial corporations" which support these radio
broadcasting stations with their advertising dollars.
And we will Boycott the products and services of each
and every "commercial corporation" whose advertisements directly sponsor, "The Savage
Nation".
Sincerely
R. Zeke Fread