Posted on 05/13/2002 6:20:48 PM PDT by Mom_Grandmother
Demo Against WABC-TV Set
By Herb Boyd
TBWT, National Editor
5/13/2002
Harlem -- Frustrated in their attempts to get WABC-TV to give Gil Noble, the host of "Like It Is," a long term contract, to cede him authority over the public affairs program, and six other demands, a number of community activists have called for a demonstration against the Disney-owned station.
"We have tried in vain to settle this issue with the station, but it's to no avail," said Dr. James McIntosh, co-chair of CEMOTAP (Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People), during a recent press conference at the National Action Network in Harlem. "There is no other recourse but to demonstrate against the station's intransigence."
The demonstration is slated for Wednesday, May 15th, outside the station's headquarters at 7 Lincoln Square (67th and Columbus).
McIntosh also said the coalition of community groups is filing a formal letter of complaint to the FCC. In addition, they plan to file a petition to deny the renewal of WABC-TV's operating license. The letter is from CEMOTAP's lawyer, Malik Zulu Shabazz, is mainly in response to the station's refusal to air an ad proposed by the organization. Noted are several violations of the FCC's expressed mandates, including failure of the station to meet its obligation to serve their local communities.
"Gil Noble and his show represents the voice of the voiceless," said Dr. James Blake, a Queens activist and an administrator at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Blake stated that without the show no one would be aware of the tragic conditions that occurred at BMCC in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack. "Gil visited our campus three times and when we appeared on his show, many people learned about our plight and we received additional media coverage and assistance."
Dr. Blake said he will asking all the students at the college to turnout for the demonstration.
The Rev. Al Sharpton offered his full support of the demonstration. "We are totally committed to the preservation of Like It Is and Gil," he began. "And we have 22 chapters around the country, including Florida and California, where Disney has major operations, and I am prepared to alert all of them to rally behind this effort."
McIntosh and Betty Dopson, the other chair of the organization, said none of the eight demands from the coalition are negotiable. "It is not just our organization that is saying the demands are not negotiable; it's the community," McIntosh explained. Among the other demands is adequate staffing of the show, a long term written commitment to Like It Is, syndication of the show, an end to insensitive ads, an elimination of commercial demands on the show or to allow the community, through its financial means, to support the show.
When asked how Noble feels about the rally and the aroused community, Elombe Brath said it wasn't how Gil feels about this, "it's how the community feels."
If the attendance to the press conference is any indication, McIntosh observed: "Then the demonstration will be more than successful. How many of you here are ready to take it to the streets?" he asked. All forty some odd hands jabbed the air.
As in the past, the paper has made several attempts to reach President Tom Kane of WABC-TV or a station representative without any success.
Camille Yarbrough, Woody Henderson, Phyllis Cannon, and David Snyder were representatives of some of the community groups who have promised to deliver their members to the rally.
"Noble, the host of "Like It Is," a long term contract, to cede him authority over the public affairs program, and six other demands, a number of community activists have called for a demonstration against the Disney-owned station."
"DEMANDS"? After reading this garbage I hope WABC gives him a "Pink Slip".
If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know.
Well now, I think they should give Jackson a call, this calls for a "Shakedown".
Revrum Al Sharphead is starting to crank up his extortion machine. He learned from the best...
Black America is forever cursed by people who claim to speak for "the community."
OH NO NOT THE COMMUNITY!!! run away, run away.
I'd like to know the actual community support for what they are protesting for.
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