Los Angeles Man Sues KRLA Over Conservative Content

Radio Online Internet Edition ^ | 09/09/08

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

A Los Angeles man is suing conservative Talker KRLA-AM/Los Angeles claiming the station, and parent Salem Communications, misrepresented their broadcast license by serving the interest of the Republican Party rather than the public reports the Glendale News Press.

David Birke filed the complaint on August 27 against seven talk hosts, Salem and Salem President/CEO Ed Atsinger, claiming that they use the public airwaves to push a Republican agenda. Syndicated hosts Laura Ingraham, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Miller, Mike Gallagher and Kevin James are listed as defendants.

According to the complaint, "Salem Entities and Atsinger had no intention of serving the public interest, convenience and necessity. Instead, these defendants always intended to use the public airwaves to serve the interests exclusively of the GOP at the state and national level."

The suit also alleges that KRLA has never allowed a Democrat to host a show; uses call screening to "suppress" calls from Democratic supporters; and violates "campaign finance laws by providing free media for advertising, attacks on Democrats, fundraising, and promotion exclusively to GOP officials and candidates."

(09-09-08)

[JOAT]

Where the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ will go nationwide if allowed to resurface.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

Ping - of interest.

[caseinpoint]

Fine, I’ll see your KRLA and raise you NPR, CPB, CBS, NBC, ABC etc. Show your hand.

[American Quilter]

In a just world, David Birke would have to pay all of the defendents’ legal costs after his frivolous lawsuit is thrown out.

[Signalman]

Hey Birke, there are two knobs on your radio. One is the volume control. The other is to CHANGE THE STATION!

[TruthWillWin]

You forgot CNN.

[Ugot2Bkidding]

According to the complaint, "Salem Entities and Atsinger had no intention of serving the public interest, convenience and necessity. Instead, these defendants always intended to use the public airwaves to serve the interests exclusively of the GOP at the state and national level.

Sorry but the track record is no one wants to listen to Democrats. Air America etc...... BOMB. If hardly anyone is listening you can't charge a descent price for commercials and MAKE MONEY. It's call running a business. Sheesshh

[kellynla]

Only in L.A.

Where there are more lawyers than RE agents...
and THAT’S saying something! LOL

[dfwgator]

So, how do Spanish stations serve people who don’t speak Spanish?

[gidget7]

Does the guy, OR his lawyer have any idea what the definition of “public airwaves” is? Hint: talk radio is not.

[Bob Buchholz]

What? No NPR in LA?

[WaterBoard]

Never under estimate the willingness of a lawyer to file a frivolous lawsuit -— then defend the action by saying his client deserves a ‘voice’.

In that case, I believe the lawyer — not the client — should pay all court costs and the opposing sides legal expenses.

You would see alot less frivolous lawsuits if those same idealistic attorneys had to personally foot the bill if they lost.

[MarkT]

If ever a Rule 11 sanction should be applied, this is it.

[Cheerio]

The suit also alleges that KRLA has never allowed a Democrat to host a show; uses call screening to "suppress" calls from Democratic supporters; and violates "campaign finance laws by providing free media for advertising, attacks on Democrats, fundraising, and promotion exclusively to GOP officials and candidates."

How about the left side of the dial/channels. Seems to me the LEFT owns the airwaves and all the conservatives have is am talk radio and a 1/2 network in Fox (sometimes I think that Fox has also gone over to the dark side). LIBERAL DEMOCRAPS OWN THE MEDIA - give me a break. When was the last time we saw a conservative hosting a show on Err Amerika or MSNBC? Seems like I just read an article about Crissy and Olderboy being dumped because they were in the tank for THE ONE.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

I’m a native Spanish speaker, and I don’t even listen to any Spanish-speaking stations! My dial is permanently placed on 630 WMAL, Washington DC’s local conservative newstalk radio station. During the weekends, I listen to the “All 80’s All The Time” station.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Conservatives and Republicans are part of the public? With Matthews and Olberman dumped from NBC’s election achor chairs, thereby admitting their over the top bias, I’ll still not hold my breath for this guy to sue NBC.

[Liberty Valance]

David Birke filed the complaint on August 27

Another racist sexist for Obama?

[Blood of Tyrants]

His whole crybaby case is based on the fact that people don’t want to listen to liberals on the radio. It has been tried and has failed miserably. Err America has no sponsors and has to buy time to be on the air. Meanwhile, Rush gets $20 million a year offers. I don’t know what air time during Rush costs, but I’ll bet it ain’t cheap.