HOT 97 broadcasts racist tsunami hate song

[BrightKnight]

"The piece used racial slurs to describe people swept away in the disaster, made jokes about child slavery and people watching their mothers die."

"You can hear God laughing, 'Swim you b**ches swim,' " was one line in the song, sung by staff of the show to the melody of the 1985 famine relief song "We Are the World."

"All at once you could hear the screaming ch*nks...little chinamen swept away"

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/26/q...reut/index.html

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2005/01/26/...adio/print.html
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This kind of racist hate speech is far more profane than any wardrobe malfunction or four letter word. The FCC has done nothing. The station management has only suspended the hosts. I find it difficult to believe that they could have broadcast this for four days without the knowledge of the station managers.

It was also disturbing that the host of the show attacked an Asian American employee on air and at length for saying that she did not want to be associated with the project.

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http://www.petitiononline.com/endhate/petition.html

[Rapcw]

1. Yea i had heard bout this before as well

unbelievable that anyone could find this hate funny.

[CO Liberal]

2. I Just Signed - Number 35,272

As someone who always wanted a career in radio, people like this make me want to puke.

[bryant69]

3. That is pretty amazing

I wish I could say unbelievable, but it's all to believable.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[LittleClarkie]

4. Shock jock?

Sounds like something Mancow would say.

Our hatemongering RWer got suspended for a week for simply saying "wetback." Those guys should be gone. That's just evil.

[K-W]

19. Comedians shouldnt get fired for crossing the line.

Thier very job description is to dance on that line, it seems to me fairly silly to laugh at them every day as they play the line and the day they cross it turn on them.

They werent hatemongering by the way, they were joking. There is a big difference.

[jdj]

75. they live to cross the line.

but this IS hatemongering.

It's fucked up. You can't justify it.

[sonicx]

5. At least they didn't show any nipples!

:eyes:

[mattclearing]

76. Totally. n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. Clear Channel?

[davepc]

68. nope -- Emmis Broadcasting Corp

http://www.nyradioguide.com/cgi-bin/info.cgi/WQHT-FM

[KharmaTrain]

7. The Class Clown Makes A Face...You Cry To The Teacher...

This is what this moron hopes you do. Make a stink...raise a fuss...get the news media wondering "WTF" so he can get his mug on the tube and become some "first ammendment hero".

I hear lots of offensive parodies on the radio, both right and left...and it's all part of that slippery slope called "freedom of speech".

If you're pissed at what this guy has done, organize a group of friends and walk into one of the station's advertisers and demand to speak to one of the highest manager you can. You can be assured the station and the shock-jock will get a message far more direct than an online petition will do.

[K-W]

17. Im sorry but that isnt appropriate either.

Bypassing constitutional speech protection by using the private economy is no more moral than using the government.

The point of free speech is that I get to say what I want to say whether it bothers people or not because I cannot be deprived of my rights without just cause.

The fact that non-governmental organizations control our media is not a reason for us to pretend we arent supressing rights when we use it to silence people.

[KharmaTrain]

72. You Are Very Correct

Most people confuse "taste" with "obscene". It's a subjective call since, while many of us were offended by the lyrics of this stupid bit, others weren't. If anything, this person is guilty of being a stupid asshole, but we don't have rules in this country to outlaw that.

I know that there's "blood" in the waters here...many who would love to see some right wing hate radio jerk or other moron strung up and banished from the human race...however, let's be careful how we throw around terms like "censorship" and "obscene". I don't think we'd like turning on the radio or TV and find that ALL things anyone find "offensive" couldn't be broadcast or the government comes out with guidelines as to what's proper or not. While I despise almost all things Repugnican, I do agree with them (or those who used to believe) that when you involve the government, you're just asking for more troubles not less.

[BBradley]

20. I didn't realize that freedom of speech was such a liability.

End of Discussion. Any defense of that attitude isn't worth argueing over.

[BrightKnight]

39. On free speech

I am conflicted about the role of the FCC in regulating these things. I'm not sure that it is wise to have the heavy hand of this specific government involved. If the FCC is going to regulate profane speech, I submit that this is profane.

This is not just the ranting of a shock jock. I suspect that even Howard Stern would have been offended by this. This is mean spirited, racist, hate speech. In many European countries hate speech is illegal. We should not follow their example. With free speech comes the responsibility to speak out against these things.

---------------

I have contacted Coca-Cola (1-800-438-2653) and Toyota because they both have ads on the station's pseudo apology web page. The Toyota ad has apparently been pulled. I have also contacted Sprint because there was apparently a Sprint PCS commercial before the Tsunami Song was played.

I also posted this because most of the names on the petition were Asian. This is not just about the Asian community. Everyone should speak out against this kind of thing.

[UdoKier]

8. Both of your links are broken.

NT

[BrightKnight]

9. corrected links

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/26/quake.slur.reut/index.html

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2005/01/26/new_york_radio/index_np.html

[donheld]

10. Weren't these people already fired?

that's what i read here at DU yesterday.

[-..__...]

11. Give me a break!

The CNN link and Salon link are dead.

The Petiononline one was active and very interesting.

"We ask that all Hot 97 employees actively involved with the production and broadcast of the ill-humoured "Tsunami Song" played on "Miss Jones in the Morning" on January 21st, 2005, be fired and blacklisted from working at the radio station permanently.

Tasteless, racist, insenative... whatever.

Ohh, boo-hoo-hoo.

"Fired and blacklisted"?

Don't even get me started. :mad:

[Tacos al Carbon]

14. You have an objection to people being fired

for promoting hatred, racism and bigotry on the public airwaves? Really?

[K-W]

16. The same logic the christian right uses to censor.

Gay people offend them. Racial jokes offend you.

Niether of you should be trying to force others to abide by your preferences.

[Tacos al Carbon]

26. You equate gay people

with mocking the deaths of hundreds of thousands, racial slurs and a DJ expressing the urge to "shoot Asians" on the air? this was more than "racial jokes." This was the promotion of hatred. I'm not calling for them to be incarcerated. Just fired.

[-..__...]

18. Do you have any objection with free speech?

How about "black listing"?

[Tacos al Carbon]

21. Free Speech and the First Amendment

Just mean that the government can't prosecute them. It doesn't mean that a privately owned radio station can't ... and shouldn't ... fire their sorry asses.

[K-W]

24. So as long as the government isnt opressing people, oppression is ok?

You seem to forget that our government presupposes rights, it doesnt grant them.

We dont just have protection from government, we have rights, rights that cant be abridged by ANYONE without just cause.

And that includes corporations backed by misguided liberals.

[Tacos al Carbon]

35. You completely misunderstand the First Amendment

If an employee of mine says something that I don't like or, hell, wears a shirt that I object to, I can fire them at will. I am sure that some of the people in this case have contracts. I am also reasonably confident that these contracts contain a conduct clause which this broadcast violated. Their private employer probably can and certainly should fire them, if only because their antics have hurt the bottom line. There is no constitutional right to be a DJ or work at a radio station. Hurt your employer's profits, find other work. Simple as that.

[K-W]

42. No you completely misunderstand the idea of civil rights.

The constitution is the foundation of our government, it describes how our government should function, so of course it only addresses the government.

What you are doing is making the tragic mistake of thinking that the our right to free speech is the same as the first ammendment. The first ammendment is a law ensuring that the government will always respect the freedom of speech, it doesnt establish the freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is assumed as a natural right. It is bigger than the first ammendment and the fact that the oligarchical organization supressing is a corporation and not a government is fairly irrelevent.

[Tacos al Carbon]

73. You're making up rights

There is no "natural right" to free speech just as there is no natural right to be a jerk. If one of my employees says something that I don't like, I can fire them, even if they have a right to say it. If a guest in my house says something that I don't care for, I have a right to make them leave. There is no "natural right" to free speech. The things that people say come with consequences, as they should. God forbid that we should start shielding them from the consequences that make us civilized by attaching made up "natural rights" to their every utterance.

[-..__...]

78. No...

I think you misunderstood my response (or maybe I wasn't clear enough?).

Employers can set certain standards regarding free speech issues and definitions.

My admonishment was your support (and the support of others), calling for the firing and blacklisting of the people responsible.

To me, that sort of "moral outrage" is something I'd expect from conservative reactionaries and their ilk.

[BrightKnight]

79. "blacklisting"

I thought that the "blacklisting" phrase was unfortunate. It doesn't really make much sense and I was able to ignore it. It sounds a bit like McCarthyism. Are you now or have you ever been a racist? The critical difference is that the government has had absolutely nothing to say about this.

This is a bit like the residents of an apartment telling a resident to turn his radio down.

This show has a huge audience. When they spread racism, hate and insensitivity it is not a minor thing. This would be illegal in the UK and other European countries. I believe in free speech. With free speech comes the responsibility to speak out against this kind of thing.

I contacted the advertisers but I did not threaten any of them with a boycott. I advised them that I did not believe that they should be lending their credibility and support to this kind of thing.

[sonicx]

23. This isn't a free speech issue. The FCC isn't going to fine them.

[K-W]

25. It is a free speech issue.

It deals with how free people in our society are to express themselves.

Or do honestly think the government is the only threat to our freedom?

[sonicx]

28. The people are using their free speech to oppose racism.

[K-W]

32. Economic coercion is not speech.

Speech is when you use words and images to express ideas to others.

Not when you pressure the organization that controls thier livelyhood to economically punish them for offending you.

[sonicx]

38. So you're against boycotts is what you're saying?

We've done them before at DU.

[theboss]

60. Were you against Divestment from South Africa in the 80s?

Or...would you have been against the bus boycotts in the 50s?

[theboss]

27. How is this a free speech issue?

Does NBC have some kind of responsibility to let me go on their Network and say any damn thing I want? No.

And neither does the radio station have to put up with this kind of stuff from deejays.

I do tend to get uncomfortable when their are boycotts organized for expression of thoughts. I personally don't like it. Though there is nothing constituionally or morally wrong with it.

As for blacklisted . . . well . . . isn't that Bernie Mac joke?

[K-W]

34. Some of us believe that people have rights.

Apparently not many of us though.

[sonicx]

36. And people have the right to boycott

[K-W]

47. The right to boycott?

How can something economy dependednt be a natural right?

[sonicx]

51. huh?

I'm not going to economically support companies that allow racist language. Should I be forced to?

[K-W]

55. I didnt ask you to.

I asked you not to conspire with others to get people fired.

[theboss]

49. Rights come with responsibilities though

By your argument, I have the right to own a "Darky's Fried Chicken" Franchise, have my employees dress up in black face, have Klan speeches playing on the speakers. . . and somehow if people don't go use my business, they are violating my rights?

[K-W]

54. No, they dont come with anything.

There are no strings attached to rights.

[theboss]

61. So, it's okay to yell fire in a crowded theater?

You can't possibly believe that.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

12. Man, at least Howard Stern is creative.......

....this sounds like a fourth grader came up with it....

[sonicx]

13. here's a another link...

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/nyc-ethot0127,0,4503838.story

http://www.asianmediawatch.net/missjones/

[K-W]

15. Forcing others to abide by your morality

is just as wrong when you do it as it is when the right does it.

But @#$% freedom when someone pushers YOUR buttons, huh?

[sonicx]

22. I think it's pretty reasonable...

to not tolerate racists.

[K-W]

29. If you dont believe in civil rights

yah, it is pretty reasonable. Its also reasonable to force all kinds of beliefs and opinions on people.

But silly me, I thought here in America we supported the right of the individual against persecution by society no matter how right that society thinks it is.

Apparently I was wrong.

[sonicx]

31. protests and boycotts are "force"?

[K-W]

37. When did I mention protest?

Spread the word of the evil of HOT 97 morning show DJ's all you want, thats your right just as saying what they said is thier right.

Using your economic control to economically punish them is a different story entirely.

[sonicx]

41. Are you against boycotts of companies that support Republicans?

[K-W]

44. Yes.

It would be hypocritical of me. I critisize the wealthy for using thier assets to circumvent government and control others, why would I do so myself?

[sonicx]

57. Then apparently most people at DU are supressing rights...

since most boycotted last Christmas.

[theboss]

45. How do you suggest to get them to change then?

Economic power is the most effective non-violent power there is.

Are you against strikes too?

[K-W]

50. Strikes have nothing to do with this.

In the case of a strike, you are choosing not to work.

In this case you are trying to force someone else to not be able to work.

And in doing so, you are violating thier rights, because you dont get to tell people when they can and cant work or what they can and cant say. And the fact that you are so eager to bypass freedom through the smokeseen of economic freedom makes you no better than the giant corporation who uses the exact same justifications.

[theboss]

52. Down that path leads to madness

So according to you, any person can do any stupid thing they want for a career . . . and I have to support them?

If I refuse to go to Gallagher concerts or refuse to buy Ashlee Simpson records, amd I violating their rights?

[K-W]

56. I didnt say anything remotely like that.

I didnt say you had to support anyone. I said you didnt have the option of forcing them to stop. You certainly have the option of not listening.

[theboss]

58. I have the option of not listening, but I can't tell anyone else not to

Isn't that a violation of my "free speech?"

[sonicx]

53. It's up to the employer to hire people...

The public are just letting the employers know that they won't economically support racists.

[K-W]

59. No, a small portion of the public are pressuring

employers to take away peoples livelyhoods to appease their sensibilities.

Yes, people organized do have the power to silence people, since when was it ok in America for them to do it?

[sonicx]

62. The DJs don't have a right to a microphone anymore than I do

And it's always been OK to boycott. it's been going on for decade.

[theboss]

33. Um, that's not America at all

In America, the government can't challenge your speech. But I would like to believe if the guy in the next office over kept screaming about "Niggers and faggots" all day, I could get him fired.

[K-W]

40. I forgot, america is where corporations silence us and we are still free.

I thought that the right to free speech meant that I have a right to speak freely.

Little did I know it just meant that anyone can silence me EXCEPT the people I vote for. What a great system.

If the guy in the next office over was disturbing the work place he could be fired. If his job was to yell whatever he wanted all day, I dont think he should be.

[theboss]

43. I recommend reading the First Amendment sometime

In my life the following people have limited my speech:

My parents
My grandparents
A few babysitters
My friend's parents
Random security guards
And usher in a movie theater once
My baseball coach
My football coach
My employers
My landlord
The owners of various restaurants and bars I ate at
A few librarians
A taxi cab driver once
The owner of a convenient mart

None of them violated the first amendment.

[K-W]

46. I reccomend reading the declaration of independence sometime.

And realizing that our constitution is a document describing our government, not a holy book. It describes how the government must respect our rights, it doesnt mean we dont have rights outside of it.

[theboss]

48. So, every person has the right to get on the radio and make chink jokes?

Then why don't I have a microphone in front of me?

[shugah]

64. the declaration of independence

while a fabulous and inspired piece, is not a governing document.

the constitution is a governing document. the constitution can be amended, which is as it should be. i always thank our forefathers for having the foresight to understand that things change.

and things do change. i doubt the 1st congress could foresee the world today. i believe they did the best they could to anticipate it for us. i think they intended the constitution to be a living document - not a relic of a new democracy.

[theboss]

30. We are five seconds away from the "can black people be racists?" debate...

And I for one am giddy with anticipation.

Of course, I'm probably demonstrating some kind of racism by assuming that deejays on a "Hot" station are black.

[NNguyenMD]

63. they are black, and goodriddance if they get fired...the asian mocking

doesn't bother me so much as the "hahaha 200,000 are dead and millions are homeless"

I wonder what the reaction in the US would be if there was a spoof song for 9/11 about the victims who jumped off the 70th or 60th floors of the World Trade Center to their crushing deaths b/c they didn't want to be burnt alive by the blazing inferno. Yeah, don't worry its just a joke, we all should lighten up right?

[theboss]

65. No, I think they should be fired too...

Just trying to add some levity to the proceedings.

[NNguyenMD]

66. Yeah I didn't mean you, its just incredible that even on here some people

don't recognize the absolute disgust behind creating a song like that.

[sonicx]

67. I'm black and I almost threw up when I read about this...

Not just the song, but the reaction of the DJs when people complained about the song. :puke:

[davepc]

69. McDonalds suspends advertising

http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_01_27/mcdonaldssuspends.asp

R&R has learned that the fast-food chain's advertising was pulled from CHR/Rhythmic WQHT/New York on Tuesday. The decision was made in the wake of last week's controversial broadcasts that resulted in Emmis' suspending the entire Miss Jones Morning Show team. The controversy erupted over "The Tsunami Song" — a parody that made light of the recent tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia — and racially charged comments made by team members before airing the song.

[BrightKnight]

77. The Coca-Cola Company will not advertise on the morning show.

"Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company. We are grateful for the opportunity to respond, and we share your concerns regarding this matter.

Together with our bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company is working in the regions impacted by this natural disaster to provide clean drinking water and to support local relief efforts and other on-the-ground needs. To date, the Coca-Cola System and our employees have combined to contribute almost $20 million in cash and material donations.

We have made Hot 97 management aware that The Coca-Cola Company does not condone the inappropriate and insensitive parody of the tsunami disaster that aired on their station. We do not support programs that are discriminatory or that make light of the tsunami crisis and its devastating impact on people in the region. Accordingly, we have withdrawn our advertising from the Hot 97 morning show.

However, we do not want this decision to impinge upon other ongoing community support programs. Currently we are conducting a Black History Month promotion in conjunction with Hot 97 that awards scholarships to deserving students in the New York area. While this worthwhile promotion will continue, it will no longer be advertised on the station's morning programming.

Your feedback is truly appreciated. If you ever have any additional questions or concerns on any other matter, please feel free to contact us again.

Sincerely,

Gisele
Industry and Consumer Affairs
The Coca-Coca Company"

[davepc]

70. "Miss Jones" Suspended indefinitely

http://www.emmis.com/press/Release.aspx?ID=39514

1/26/2005
STATEMENT FROM WQHT-FM, HOT 97


New York City….Miss Jones and the HOT 97 Morning team have been indefinitely suspended for the airing of a song that made light of a catastrophic event, as well as for comments made at the time the song was aired.

Earlier this week, Miss Jones said on the air: "I apologize to all who have been offended by my poor decision to go along with playing that insulting (to say the least) Tsunami song. I should have known better and I didn't. So I'm sorry and hopefully we can move forward from this, or I can move forward from this being a better hostess, because I am better than that, and I know better than that -- and you deserve better radio than that."

While Miss Jones has apologized on the air, in the media and on the HOT 97 website, station management felt that stronger action was necessary to demonstrate the severity of the situation.

Emmis Radio and Hot 97 will not tolerate such derogatory and racially insensitive content. This incident in no way reflects the spirit of HOT 97. The station has a long-time and well-known reputation for community involvement and support.

Emmis Radio President Rick Cummings said, "What happened is morally and socially indefensible. All involved, myself included, are ashamed and deeply sorry. I know the members of the morning show are truly contrite. They know their actions here are inexcusable."

[NervousRex]

71. These kinda guys need a beating in a dark alley....

But they should be allowed to spew this vile shit. The more attention they get the happier they are. I will volunteer to throw the first suckerpunch to this shockjock's puny, shriveled genitals, but don't feed him the victimhood he so desperately wants by trying to get him fired. When people stop listening, he'll be playing the phony host in the Juiceman info-mercials.

[Hugin]

74. *sigh*

They'll do anything for attention and from the number of
posts in this thread looks like they're getting it.

I'll remind you of a quote attributed to P.T. Barnum.

"I don't care what they say about me in the papers...
Just make sure they spell my name right."