Shock Radio Plays Rough and Shrugs at Imus’s Fall
 

May 6, 2007

Shock Radio Plays Rough and Shrugs at Imus’s Fall

By JACQUES STEINBERG
Almost two weeks after CBS Radio fired Don Imus for his racially and sexually demeaning remarks about the Rutgers women’s basketball team, Nick Di Paolo opened his talk show on another CBS station in New York by mocking a manual that, he said, one of his bosses had given him that morning.
The booklet was entitled “Words Hurt and Harm” and, as described by Mr. Di Paolo, it urged him and his brethren to avoid the sort of stereotypes that had not only upended Mr. Imus but had also just gotten two colleagues on WFNY (92.3 FM) suspended for broadcasting a six-minute prank call littered with slurs to a Chinese restaurant.
“Right away, we’re starting with a false premise,” Mr. Di Paolo told his listeners on April 25, just after noon. “Because words don’t hurt.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/bu...er&oref=slogin

http://www.slate.com/id/2165710/fr/nl/

As a professional broadcaster of many years standing, most of you don't really want to hear my take on this subject, but I will say that Imus isn't nearly as "shocking" as many that I've heard across the country.

All the same, what he said on the national stage was stupid on his part.

The thoughts, experience and knowledge of an "insider" should always be welcomed.

But often aren't.

I don't have the time to debate this.

I'll just leave it that radio stations who air some of these shows could (and perhaps should) lose their license.

I believe you. I'm more shocked at what I am reading in the newspaper about another pundit.

Everyone, included myself, has said something stupid. However, it is different when one says it on the media outlets.

so i have a question for anyone more knowledgable about this kind of thing than i am - imus loses his job for uttering a phrase on his radio show, the whole incident receives international press coverage, etc.

but i've heard nada in protest or even in the news simply reporting on the fact that rush limbaugh played a song entitled "barack the magic negro" - why the silence? i mean regardless of the fact that obama is running for president, the lyrics are pretty offensive, especially if imus' comments are taken as such.

the song is being sung by someone pretending to be rev. al sharpton. you can hear it here

It's an excellent question.

I wish I had an answer.

They used to parade Imus as the safe alternative to Howard Stern. I've never listened to him. These days it's all about violating people's right to free speech by the fascists that run the country arbitrarily.

-Rudey
--Let's all get therapy and cry together.

Fascists? I thought you liked the present administration.

Fascism cuts across both parties on FCC votes and it's not the Bush admin only. Everyone wants to protect the children from the media.

-Rudey

You're right, but this "movement" goes much deeper than the FCC. The Commission takes its lead from the White House, and to a lesser extent, pressure from Congress.