Posted on 06/07/2006 12:55:59 PM PDT by Impeach98
FIRED OVER IRAQ SUPPORT?
Groups, SF Host Call Attention To Possible Sacto Funny Business
Has ongoing support for America's involvement in Iraq cost a Sacramento talker his job?
After the termination of longtime conservative KFBK / Sacramento host Mark Williams (top right photo), that's what several political groups, as well as a prominent San Francisco talker, seem to be suggesting.
Though "budget cuts" were originally cited as the reason for his departure, Williams was quickly replaced by an outspoken liberal, sparking suspicions about the real motivations behind the move.
Because his replacement is said to be adamantly opposed to American actions in Iraq, groups such as Move America Forward, led by KSFO/ San Francisco morning host Melanie Morgan, have sprung into action.
With some early success already claimed, an advertiser boycott is underway.
In addition, after reports that Rush Limbaugh may soon be removed from Armed Forces Radio, the talk titan is fighting back against recommendations made by Lund Media Research.
The company was recently hired by the military to "modernize" the network's programming schedule.
In my latest Inside Radio column, "Battleground: Rush", we cover both of these issues in-depth. Read it here.
--- Meanwhile, in Sacramento, there's quite a flap brewing over the recent termination of KFBK-AM talk host Mark Williams.
Partly led by KSFO-AM morning host Melanie Morgan's Move America Forward organization, angry Central Valley talk radio fans are calling KFBK to demand answers.
In addition, an advertiser boycott is underway, with some success already reported. Now, the uproar is catching the attention of local news media, including the Sacramento Bee:
The decision by KFBK (1530 AM) to oust conservative talk-show host Mark Williams in favor of moderate Bruce Maiman has angered many of Williams' fans.
Griffin & Reed Eye Care, which pays for on-air media endorsements (including Williams') for its lasik eye surgery, has pulled all advertisements from KFBK.
"Our relationship with the personalities that help us with our advertising is something we take very seriously," writes Brad Mitchell, Griffin & Reed's chief operating officer, in an e-mail. "… I'm sure the absence of our money on KFBK won't be felt too much, but hopefully the position will."
And a Granite Bay organization called Marine Moms & Military Families, which has held many events supporting the troops in Iraq and protesting Cindy Sheehan's opposition to the war, is banning KFBK from covering future events.
"We take (Williams' firing) as a personal attack and lack of support against our military men and women and their families," reads a letter sent to KFBK boss Jeff Holden by the group's leaders, Michelle Souza and Deborah Johns.
Oddly, when news of his sacking reached radio trades, the official line was that it was due to budget cuts.
But when Williams was quickly and quietly replaced by former rock DJ Bruce Maiman, controversy soon followed. That's because conservative groups consider Maiman to be an anti-war liberal and therefore believe KFBK is undergoing a stealth format change.
Unless Maiman is working for half of his predecessor's salary, how is this actually a budget issue? What was the real reason Williams left?
Letters from upset KFBK listeners and press releases from groups denouncing the move have been reaching my in-box this week. In an email sent to me Tuesday evening, Morgan indicated her support for Williams:
"Brian, at a time when the anti-war left is actively engaging in the propaganda war to undermine support for the United States in Iraq, and the larger War on Terror, to lose a voice like Mark Williams is a punch to the gut.
When did it become a firing offense in this country to be proud of our troops and their families? I shouldn't be surprised, though. This is what the Left does best: shout-down and dismiss voices of patriotism and pride. It's disgusting."
In addition, a statement from Northern California Marine Moms and Military Families, which has been active in counter-protests against left wing activist Cindy Sheehan, spells out their concerns:
As Marine and Military families, we are distressed to learn that NightTalk Live host Mark Williams is no longer with KFBK after five successful years with the station, and further, that station management has apparently decided to turn KFBK into a liberal station by replacing the Emmy Award-winning host with liberal talk show host Bruce Maiman.
Military families in the Sacramento region thought we could always count on KFBK for support in regard to our fundraising efforts, rallies, luncheons, deployments and homecomings for our loved ones who are serving this great nation in the war on terror. Clearly, we were wrong in that assumption. KFBK’s abrupt change in direction demonstrates that we can no longer depend on the support of KFBK for our military men and women and the families who stand behind them.
Therefore, we are calling for a boycott of KFBK and sponsors who advertise on the liberal Maiman show. It is our understanding that Griffin & Reed Eye Care has already pulled their ads and we expect several other companies to drop their ad schedules as well.
We have provided the information contained in this letter to all of the sponsors who advertise on that show and asked them to discontinue support of KFBK because the station has turned its back not only on Mark Williams but on all the military, their families, and conservative listeners from around the region.
We have also sent this notice to the numerous military web sites, blogs, military magazines, newspapers and the hundreds of sponsors we have around the country to boycott KFBK’s liberal efforts.
We‘d appreciate an explanation as to why KFBK has decided to stop supporting this large target market in the greater Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley and beyond, which is a conservative media market. This reckless decision to turn a successful and highly profitable NewsTalk station into a liberal broadcast media center would be better served in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Will the protests have any effect on KFBK? While boycotts usually have little impact on a station's programming decisions, this one does appear to benefit from some high-profile backing.
But the big question remains, however: was this move the result of a deliberate ideological shift at KFBK, the result of an unknown personnel issue, or something else altogether? So far, station Program Director Jeff Holden doesn't appear to be saying much about it.
If this effort intensifies, will that stance change? We'll be watching.
Here is the contact information that Melanie Morgan of Move America Forward emailed out - as part of their efforts.
1) FIRST: Send an email to these people and let them know you are saddened by the news that Mark Williams has been fired and replaced with an anti-war liberal. I've also included the email addresses for 2 reporters covering this issue - include them on the same emails. We need them to hear our voices!
jeffholden@clearchannel.com
markpmays@clearchannel.com
apeterson@radioandrecords.com
smcmanis@sacbee.com
2) SECOND: Place a telephone call to Jeff Holden, the KFBK Program Director who FIRED Mark Williams, and politely and calmly state that you are calling to have your name added to those who are disappointed with the decision by KFBK to fire pro-military talk show host, Mark Williams.
The number to call: (916) 576-2223
We need for them to be besieged with phone calls. So, please, if the line is busy when you call, try back a few minutes later.
3) THIRD: Please also send a FAX and let the management at KFBK know how thoroughly displeased you are to see this station switch from being a proud sponsor of our troops and their mission, and becoming a mouthpiece for an anti-war, left-wing agenda.
The FAX number is: (916) 921-5555
I fear we have all just accepted that the Left has won, and that this is INDEED another Vietnam and it's time to pull out.
Anyone still think we should fight the war on terror? If so, shouldn't we stand up and defend the FEW brave media personalities who advocate for the cause?
COME ON FREEPERS - Don't sit back and be quiet. Get off your ergonomically correct office chairs and pipe up and show your outrage!!!
Ex-Californian ping.
This used to be my hometown radio station.
Thank you for that PING :)
* * * * p i n g * * * *
np. I just wish there were more ex-Californians.
bump
Funny, I always wish there were MORE Californians, well ones who believed we didn't need to hand the state over to the Mexican government, and those who don't believe that San Francisco should be a Commonwealth of Fidel Castro's Cuba, and those who don't believe we should just apologize to the world for exisiting and do whatever the United Nations tells us to do.
Mark Williams at event honoring veterans.
Mark Williams speaks in Crawford, Texas as part of Move America Forward's "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" Tour that Mark helped us to organize from its inception.
Here's the crowd Mark brought out. No more. KFBK has now prevented stuff like this from being organized again:
Wow.
To be honest I've not read the whole article- but one thing jumped out- is Armed Forces Radio seriously going to remove Rush?
That's scary as hell- I know just hearing his VOICE no matter what his topic has helped morale.
A big ole BTTT..
Here Mark Williams is with Deborah Johns when Move America Forward joined with Free Republic, RightMarch, Protest Warriors and others to counter the anti-war rallies in Washington, D.C.
Move America Forward launched a national bus tour with pro-troop rally stops in 20 American cities from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
And, yes, there was Mark Williams - AGAIN - helping out. Do you get the picture people? Do you see who we are losing???
Yes, that's correctly reported. All conservative talk on Armed Forces radio may be eliminated if this report is followed up on.
It's a tough time for conservatives with Clear Channel promoting Air America, dumping conservative talkers like Mark Williams for liberal talk, and seeing Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity under siege left and right - and now perhaps off Armed Forces Radio.
Conservatives seem too tired and too beaten down to be rising up and launching the protests/resistance that's necessary to stop this before it gets worse!
I emailed KFBK (Holden) last night and called his office this morning. I wonder if Alex Spanos, who co-sponsored two Freedom Flights of WWII veterans to the WWII Memorial in DC, supports the KFBK shift to anti-war Liberalism??? I would think not.
This looks like trouble ping...
The left have tried on and off for years to remove Rush from Armed Forces Radio; they know that he depresses support for Democrats and they just can't have THAT.
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