Citizens for Civility & Accountability in Media
KMJ Response
December 4, 2009Mr. Richard Stone, Vice-President, Fresno Center for Non-Violence
Ms. Ellie Bluestein, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Ms. Vicki Fouts, Director, Uprooting Racism Project
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, Professor Emeritus
Dr. Jean Kennedy, Valley Black Talk Radio Show
Mr. Les Kimber, Founder, California Advocate
Fresno Stop Hate Radio Campaign
1584 North Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93728
Dear Sirs and Madams:
I am in receipt of your letter dated November 27, 2009 regarding your opinion that certain programs aired on KMJ 580 are unacceptable. Further, you have determined that our programming is comprised of "hate radio" and therefore, in some way, potentially harmful to the community. You also write that KMJ is derelict in its obligation to provide a "public benefit" by not offering opposing sides of issues that, in your opinion, may be deemed correct. Finally, you have threatened that, in the event we do not concede to your wishes, you will cause harm to our lawful business and well-earned reputation as a credible voice for advertisers throughout the Central Valley for over 80 years.
Naturally, you have every right to express an opinion, offer suggestions and make programming recommendations to KMJ. However, you are incorrect in your observations and I will disagree with each and every point you make. Because you have taken the time to write, please allow me to address each issue you raise.
- You have defined KMJ programming as "dominated by hate radio" while mentioning specific shows as- examples. This is your opinion based on a dictionary definition, not the law. KMJ does not now, nor has ever, engaged in "hate radio". You have every right to your opinion, but you have no right to dictate what other people may believe is topical, opinionated, issue oriented radio. KMJ Radio is, by any measure, the number one rated radio station in Fresno (Summer '09 Arbitron 12+ Total Week- Monday through Sunday 6am to Midnight) and has been for years. Over 80,000 people tune in to our station every week and have for over 8 decades. To impose the will of a few organizations on a community of many can simply not happen.
- KMJ is many voices, opinions, and topics covered with all of the professionalism you would expect from Central California's leading station, not just the few you mention. You simply cannot call KMJ programming "hate radio" when we provide so many needed services 24 hours a day. Important information to the 91,000 private and company-owned farms located throughout California. Every morning, Roy Isom, KMJ's Farm Director, works tirelessly on behalf of farmers (and has done so for over 2 decades). Would you describe Mr. Isom as "rude and derisive? Have you listened to him?"
- Our news department (the only local news radio staff in Fresno) provides vital, up to the minute services each morning. Led by Operations Manager Skip Essick, Dennis Hart, Blake Taylor, Margaret Carrero, Bill Woodward, Ruth Michaels, Mark Holste, and Doug Collins provide over 20 hours per week of high quality, award winning, fair and balanced LOCAL news, weather and traffic reporting. Can you call each of these individuals, or our news reporting, biased, hateful, one-sided and racist? Have you listened to them? Did you hear the news coverage Margaret Carrero gave to Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor as the recipient of the "Humanitarian Award" presented to him by Soka Gakkai International, the Buddhist orrganization that promotes peace and culture? (A CD of the news story is available to you upon your request.)
- KMJ is home of Fresno State sports. Alexan Balekian, Steve Gonzales, Paul Loeffler and Bill Woodward cover the team at home and away. Additionally, KMJ is the only local radio station covering college, professional and high school sports throughout the Central Valley. Each week, KMJ provides over 20 hours of sports programming. Are they full of "unreasoned rhetoric"? Have you listened to them?
- Although you didn't mention them, I am sure you have heard of Ray Appleton and Chris Daniel. For over a combined 40 years, each has worked tirelessly on behalf of our community. Our recent campaign on California water rights for farmers (and the most important legislation recently passed) was directly attributed to Ray and Chris by politicians and the business community alike. For over 20 hours each week, Chris and Ray broadcast both sides of local issues and have become an indispensable part of the fabric of this community. To suggest otherwise, or call them "damaging to the social fabric and the possibility of a civil society" is simply repugnant to me and wrong. Have you heard these shows?
- Although you didn't mention them, KMJ's broadcast week (AM and FM) also features programming from Dave Ramsey, Dr. Laura, George Noory, The Wall Street Journal, Auto Shows, religious programming, financial advice, community outreach and real estate advice. Are you also offended by these shows? Have you heard the other shows KMJ broadcasts EVERY DAY? Do they fall under the inaccurate description you offered in your letter?
- You have chosen to castigate a few that (in your opinion) do not rise to your standards or ideals while ignoring the overall reason that KMJ has become an essential part of the community we serve. The diversity of thought, opinion, and ideals is alive and well at KMJ. If you would spend a bit more time listening to the entire broadcast day, not just selective programs that offend you (but not others) you may conclude that we are not the monsters you make us out to be.
If I may be frank, just because you are offended by selected hosts, you have no right to impose your will on a larger segment of the population that does not agree with your assessment of our programming. We are under NO obligation to provide opposing points of view (yet we do) nor are we obligated to negotiate with you or anyone else on the programming decisions we make. In the Central Valley, there are over 79 local radio stations (www.radio-info.com) that offer a plethora of programming options and opinions. In addition, our community is well served by dozens of local TV stations, hundreds of cable TV stations and thousands of radio stations available worldwide on the internet and satellite. This is why the FCC has chosen to not dictate programming to each licensee. Neither should you. If our programming does not attract an audience, we will not be able to secure enough advertisers to support the program and it will be gone. It is a free market system that works. No one is forcing you to listen to KMJ or any other radio station. Why do you believe you can force your opinion on the hundreds of thousands of listeners we work hard to serve every day? All are adults that are quite capable of making their own decision about the media they choose. You also have a choice.
KMJ has the right balance of programming. As you have seen, we have many shows and opinions. We work hard to provide our listeners with programming they WANT to hear. That's why we are number one. I will not be swayed by scare tactics leveled at our staff, advertisers, or listeners and will take whatever measures necessary in defense of your implied actions against our advertisers. We will vigorously hold you accountable for any damage you cause to our lawful, hard earned reputation and the revenue it provides for our employees.
If you don't like our programming, you can change the channel, you can certainly offer programming suggestions, but you cannot dictate to us what others have chosen to listen to and enjoy for the past 80 years.
Sincerely,
Patty Hixson
Sr. Vice President and General Manager
Pbh/jfs
CC: FCC