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Dear Listeners to Air America Minnesota:
This is in response to questions raised regarding station policies.
The so-called station policy that has been circulating on the internet was an initial draft written by an attorney. We were very fortunate to have supporters of the station work with us to create a policy that was finalized on June 1, 2005. This policy is for our guest hosts and weekend hosts to give them guidance on how to deal with hot button issues:
A copy follows:
“Mission:
Because certain hot button social issues such as gun control, abortion, or gay marriage tend to arouse strong emotions among our listening audience, JR Broadcasting wishes to be respectful in discussing these issues. It is the position of JR Broadcasting that persons often hold positions on these issues as deeply held moral beliefs that therefore deserve respect, and focus on these issues can undermine the very opportunities we seek to advance.
In the event a host should ever wish to discuss these issues on the air, JR Broadcasting requests that the host notify the station manager prior to airing the discussion.
The following guidelines apply to all shows:
1. All callers shall be treated with respect regardless of their position on an issue.
2. It is acceptable to attack a position, but never the caller espousing an opinion.
3. Name calling or ridiculing of anyone including public figures is not appropriate, but tasteful parody or humor is acceptable.”
Anyone who has listened regularly to AM 950 is fully aware that hot button issues are regularly discussed without censorship. And specifically, with regard to gay rights, Air America Minnesota was a sponsor of the Gay Pride Parade and had a booth there, and Wendy Wilde was a judge. Further, with respect to abortion, there has not been a single show about the Democratic Party’s inclusiveness of pro-life Democrats, yet frequent discussion of abortion, especially around Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, even on our local Wendy Wilde Show.
Most importantly, Progressives who are out of power must avoid falling prey to right-wing strategy.
In fact both Jim Wallis, in his book, “”Faith and Politics, Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It, and George Lakoff in his book, “Don’t Think of An Elephant”, the Progressives are encouraged to think about re-framing the message in a way that brings Progressives together and to rethink the way we allow ourselves to be focused on the Neo-Conservatives’ agenda.
I encourage Progressives to focus on a positive discussion that will bring Progressives together, not divide us.
As for the discussion regarding the Equal Opportunity Doctrine, that actually is a restatement of the law crafted by the Federal Communications Commission. Any regular listener to the Wendy Wilde Show knows that we take special care not to support one Democratic Candidate over another and are very cautious to give equal time to all Democratic Candidates. After the Primary, we will be required to give equal time to the Republicans if they request it.
As for Scott Mortenson, I assured him directly that he would get equal time and referred him to the producer. I apologized to Scott when I discovered the telephone snafu. Scott was on with Alan Miller, because he was substituting for Nick Coleman and we are obligated to put him on at the same time of the day. It was appropriate for him to appear with Alan Miller because it was Alan who had previously interviewed El Tinklenberg. We would be pleased to have both candidates together on a future show, perhaps at the State Fair.
Choosing the best candidate in the sixth district is the only hope to beat Senator Michelle Bachman from Stillwater, the heir apparent to Congressman Mark Kennedy. That candidate needs to run on his or her own agenda, not an agenda set by the Neo-cons. There is no one besides Patty Wetterling and myself who has a stronger passion for winning that seat.
I do not discuss publicly personnel issues, but Nick Coleman has never been censored and that is not the reason he is no longer with the station. Furthermore, Nick knows that one of the compliments I regularly made to him was that his rants against the Iraqi War were his shining moment. Anyone who ever listened to his show also knows that.
Thanks again to all our listeners and supporters for helping to bring the truth back to the airwaves in Minnesota.
Janet Robert, Manager KTNF
AM 950 Air America Minnesota
Manager@AirAmericaMinnesota.com
JR Broadcasting LLC
11320 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-946-8885
Fax 952-946-0888
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