Re: CENSORSHIP on WBZ RADIO

[ASchinella@aol.com]

I would disagree with you only on this point: programming music is different
than programming talk. 

In the case we are speaking about, the show is a sports talk show. If the host
thinks the caller has a valid point on a topic, where does the programmer get
off calling in and shutting off the caller? I did not hear the call but I know
that Butch from the Cape is a HUGE sports fan and was making comments about
sports. That fits in with the format being programmed which is sports talk and
sports commentary. The host has the power to decide if the caller is making a
point that he wants heard. If, as you say, Lobel cut someone off who wanted to
talk hypothetical trades and Lobel wasn't in the mood for that TOPIC, he is
within the rights as the host to end that conversation. Strangely, management
disagreed with Butch'c COMMENTS, not the TOPIC and shut the caller off.
Butch's comments, albeit paraphrased on BRA, were within the realm of expected
norms on a sports talk show. Casey DIDN'T LIKE THE COMMENTS.  That is quite a
lot different than a DJ playing the Clash on a Classical music station, or the
example you gave Dan. 

In a message dated 7/15/98 12:00:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Dib9@AOL.COM
writes:

<< OK, maybe you got me on the dictionary definition.  I will state that
 censorship is not something to worry about unless the government is involved.
 If the editorial judgement by a radio station is cenorship then that came of
 censorship happens all the time.
 
 Who should decide what goes on the air on a radio station?  The station's
 management or the person on the air?  Obviously management.  I work at WMGX
 and if on Saturday I decided to play Garth Brooks instead of Sarah
 McClaughlin, I would be pulled off the air ASAP.  Is that censorship?  The
 Globe gets thousands of letters to the editor but only prints a few.  Is that
 censorship?  Of course not and it's not censorship for a radio station to
 decide to pull a caller off the air or refuse to let someone on the air.
 
 On the same show on Sunday, I heard Lobel interupt a caller and say "We can't
 do made up trades on the radio" and cut the guy off.  I guess it is OK if
 Lobel does it and bad if Casey does it.
 
 Dan Billings
 Bowdoinham, ME
  >>

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