Just got this back from KCRW.
David:
I received your note from The Business staff.
Although I am recording this statement for broadcast on The Business this coming Monday, I wanted to respond to your letter personally. Here's what I am planning to say on the air:
“Last week listeners to this program heard an announcement by host Claude Brodesser-Akner purporting to be a (quote) "rant on behalf of the entire editorial staff of The Business". Well, a "rant" is certainly what it was in all the pejorative meanings of that term.
The management of KCRW takes editorial positions on very rare occasions. Management alone has that prerogative. In this instance, management was neither consulted or informed.
Here's the background to this incident.
Two weeks ago Rich Raddon, Director of the LA Film Festival, resigned his position after his donation of $1500 to California's Proposition 8 anti-gay marriage campaign was publicly revealed. The Business compared his resignation to the Hollywood Blacklist days when members of the film industry lost their jobs because of alleged Communist sympathies.
The actors, directors, writers and producers who were targeted in the Blacklist, never resigned their positions. The Business never offered those who disagreed with them the opportunity to answer.
KCRW regrets airing this out-of-the-blue opinion and has made it clear to those involved that it is unacceptable. On behalf of the station and its commitment to fairness and accuracy, please accept our apologies and regrets.”
I want to thank you for writing us. We share your concern and are deeply troubled by this incident which transgresses the very ideas that inform the station and its commitment to the community.
Sincerely,
Ruth Seymour
General Manager
I received your note from The Business staff.
Although I am recording this statement for broadcast on The Business this coming Monday, I wanted to respond to your letter personally. Here's what I am planning to say on the air:
“Last week listeners to this program heard an announcement by host Claude Brodesser-Akner purporting to be a (quote) "rant on behalf of the entire editorial staff of The Business". Well, a "rant" is certainly what it was in all the pejorative meanings of that term.
The management of KCRW takes editorial positions on very rare occasions. Management alone has that prerogative. In this instance, management was neither consulted or informed.
Here's the background to this incident.
Two weeks ago Rich Raddon, Director of the LA Film Festival, resigned his position after his donation of $1500 to California's Proposition 8 anti-gay marriage campaign was publicly revealed. The Business compared his resignation to the Hollywood Blacklist days when members of the film industry lost their jobs because of alleged Communist sympathies.
The actors, directors, writers and producers who were targeted in the Blacklist, never resigned their positions. The Business never offered those who disagreed with them the opportunity to answer.
KCRW regrets airing this out-of-the-blue opinion and has made it clear to those involved that it is unacceptable. On behalf of the station and its commitment to fairness and accuracy, please accept our apologies and regrets.”
I want to thank you for writing us. We share your concern and are deeply troubled by this incident which transgresses the very ideas that inform the station and its commitment to the community.
Sincerely,
Ruth Seymour
General Manager