WTKK's Jay Severin Suspended Indefinitely

[Dave Tomm]

It might be.  If this was just listeners or special interest groups  
complaining, I don't think there would be much of a problem.  However,  
it's entirely possible that WTKK may have lost a few advertisers  
because of it, and that may be driving this move.  With the changes  
going on at the FCC concerning possible changes to localism standards,  
Greater Media may be afraid that the station's license could be in  
jeopardy if they don't appear to be addressing the issue.  This seems  
to be a little more to this than just a promotional stunt.

-D

On May 1, 2009, at 3:42 PM, Richard Chonak wrote:

> Yesterday, I listened to an audio clip on the Globe site, and  
> figured the insult wasn't an ethnic slur, just a bit of name-calling  
> against illegal immigrants.
>
> But the quotes in this Herald piece include some pretty ugly talk:
> http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_05_01_%E2%80%98Hateful%E2%80%99_tone_keeps_Jay_Severin_on_WTKK_sidelines/
>
>> Severin also called Mexican immigrants the “lowest of primitives,”  
>> called one of Mexico’s biggest “exports” “women with mustaches and  
>> VD,” said Mexicans don’t practice hygiene, called Mexicans  
>> “leeches” and said their kids aren’t vaccinated, don’t speak  
>> English and “retard” U.S. Schools.  [sic]
>
> However, his agent has a pretty good defense: WTTK has suspended  
> Severin for outrageous comments -- which, he says, the station used  
> in promos!
>
> Is there a chance that this kerfuffle is really just a publicity  
> gimmick or a contract negotiation ploy?
>
> --RC