Free Radio New Orleans

Entercom’s WWL talk-show host Spud McConnell got himself so worked up this morning that he blurted, “I’m choking on my own saliva.” Could we just ask that, minimally, radio hosts present a more mature, rational voice, in these difficult times. There may be rare occasions when emotions run hot, but for uninformed Spud McConnell, frothing at the mouth while spewing ignorant views is the M.O.

Meanwhile, over at Clear Channel/Fox News station, The New 99.5FM.com, talk-show host (and convicted insurance commissioner) Jim Brown was listing all of the Republican candidates for president, asking a listener who he was going to vote for — as though we live in a one-party political system. Ironically, his listener responded with that worn-out, tired old tirade, lambasting the control that the Democratic party has over the media.

Two weeks ago, Citadel’s 102.9 “Bad Boy of Radio,” Michael Baisden, was taking calls from women about G-strings. A girl called in who said she was 14 years old. Baisden asked her if she was wearing a G-string. If you were that girl’s mother or father, would you think that’s funny, or would you want to land your fist in Baisden’s face?

Tune in during any afternoon drivetime to Clear Channel’s 104.1 DJ, “Doubledown,” to hear him talk about getting ass, his girlfriend pissing in the ocean, getting blowjobs, and other obscenities and indecencies. If that weren’t enough, if you can get through the porn collection on the 104.1 Web site to find his online profile, this is what you’ll find (emphasis added):

Doubledown was the last white person to be born in Miami, FL. His parents never beat him because he was white, they beat him because he wouldn’t shut up. This, combined with the fact that Doubledown got in trouble in school for grabbing girl’s hindquarters because he thought they felt good…leads to his current profession.
Big Mouth + Ass Grabbing Dude = Afternoon Drive in New Orleans …

Interests-
Women’s Hindquarters… I just love a great looking slice of feminine arce. It’s like art, it really is.
Alcohol…multiple cold and domestic brews work for me. …

The Doubledown Radio Show is very much like MAXIM Magazine for your speakers. Beer, sex, gadgets, cars, hot chicks… mixed with a blend of the best rock songs over the last 20 years.

I guess Doubledown thinks racism and ass-grabbing are humorous. Is this the America we want for ourselves and for our children? Is this what our government allows broadcasters to do to whom they grant the privilege of using one of our community’s radio licenses? Mind you, these remarks aren’t just DJ mistakes, they’re flagrant violations of FCC law — and as such are violations of the public trust. This is a pattern of patently offensive behavior which merits FCC scrutiny — and I would argue — reassignment of the FCC license to a more reponsible community group.

Except for the Spud comment, I tried calling the radio stations in each of the examples I listed above. In each instance, I tried calling at least three times, at different times. There was no answer.

I would venture to say that local radio station owners would be a little more responsive to their audiences, and would be more mindful of what their DJ’s say on air, if the community they’re supposed to serve could actually confiscate a station’s license to broadcast.

With more than 1100 radio stations under its ownership — six of them in the New Orleans market — San Antonio-based Clear Channel is by far the largest radio station owner in the country. Although the Mays family sold Clear Channel to a new partnership in 2006, Clear Channel will continue to dominate the world of radio. Even if it completes the sale of roughly half of its radio stations (only those in the smallest markets), Clear Channel will remain a bloated pig of the radio business.

Citadel Communications is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Walt Disney shareholders own 52 percent of the company’s stock. With 243 stations under its ownership, Citadel is the third largest radio station owner in the country.

Pennsylvania-based Entercom owns over a hundred radio stations across the United States, with seven of them in the New Orleans market.

It’s time to reclaim the airwaves for our communities.