WTMJ: Savage Autism Comments A-Okay!

I’ve blogged not once, but twice about the insensitive and uninformed (read, ignorant) comments of conservative radio host Michael Savage, and in an attempt to find out if 620 WTMJ (they carry Savage’s show locally) condones his remarks, I emailed Program Manager Tom Parker. I called too, but apparently Tom Parker doesn’t like phones. Anyhow, here’s the response I got from Mr. Parker:

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: RE: Michael Savage’s Comments on Autism
From: “Tom Parker”
Date: Tue, July 22, 2008 5:06 pm
To: “Zachary W.”

Hi,

Thanks for writing. The Talk Radio Network syndicates the Savage show. You can email them info@talkradionetwork.com

Talk hosts are paid to have and share their opinions, no one else’s. It’s often tough to support that process, especially when we broadcasters also find a host’s opinion (or the way they stated it) “insensitive”, “offensive” or just stupid. We all hope that stated opinions are used for something we can agree with, but it doesn’t mean we can reject all others. It’s not the first time a talk show personality has said something insensitive, nor will it be the last. WTMJ management’s personal opinion of the comments is not the only factor that is considered, Though as a station, we find the out-of-context soundbyte to be hyperbolic and indefensible. We look to our audience to guide our decisions about what they find unacceptable, so thank you for sharing your thoughts. Generally, people who enjoy a show stick with the host, but may change their minds if the host gets too far away from their expectations or sensibilities. That remains to be seen in this case. Most complaints so far are coming from the liberal Media Matters website and they are not actual listeners to our station. So, while I’m not yanking the show off the air immediately, I’m following the situation and will continue to be attentive to our loyal listeners. In the end, complaints do shape programming – by either helping hosts see what the audience actually expects, or by helping the station move on to a better show.

Thank you for listening to WTMJ radio.

Below is Savage’s statement on the issue.

Thanks

Tom

I’ve not included Savage’s statement, because I’ve touched on that previously, but I’d like to take a moment to ponder the importance of Mr. Parker pointing out that most of the complaints have come from the liberal Media Matters. What I’m wondering is why it matters where the complaints are coming from. Are complaints from liberals somehow less important or meaningful than comments from conservatives? In reading Tom Parker’s email, I can’t help but believe he really only cares about complaints from “loyal listeners,” because if those folks complain, they might tune to another station, while complaints from less loyal listeners like myself don’t really carry much weight.

All I have to say to that is way to stay classy, Tom Parker, and thanks for making it clear to me that 620 WMTJ cares less about doing the right thing and more about doing the popular thing. That’s journalism at its finest, folks.

John Michlig over at Sprawled Out has more on this.