KFI Diversity Plan Not Enough For Activists, Boycott Planned

Boycott Planned

The response by African-American activists to the "action plan" released by CLEAR CHANNEL Talk KFI-A/LOS ANGELES in the wake of the JOHN AND KEN controversy over remarks about WHITNEY HOUSTON comes down to a demand for jobs, and the coalition is threatening boycotts and FCC complaints over what it says was a "slap in the face" from CLEAR CHANNEL.

The press release from the group, also citing syndicated host RUSH LIMBAUGH's comments regarding the law student who supports government-paid birth control, calls the station's response (NET NEWS 3/2) "flaccid" and "100% unsatisfactory," and "only served to energize our collective outrage."  The group is now threatening to file a "formal complaint" with the FCC "that will include audio and video evidence substantiating our claims that these licensing violations are pervasive and systemic."

The demands include "hiring of more Blacks as on-air talent -- full-time, weekends, fill-in hosts" ("We are aware of several talented African-American hosts right now who would be compatible with KFI’s current programming format"); paid African-American commentators; "more blacks behind the scenes, such as producers, engineers, sales representatives, professionals in marketing and promotions, as well as college interns of color. This is not limited to KFI"; and "to collaborate with online news and entertainment sites owned by African-Americans and broaden the listening audience through community outreach events and public affairs" (rejecting the station's offer to "share links").
 
The group says that it will "launch an all-out campaign employing the same tools CLEAR CHANNEL radio personalities utilize to drive home the point that issues of importance will no longer be placated" in the next seven days.  The group plans to enlist "Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, Muslims and women's groups" to attack the company with boycotts, and is "calling on local, state and federal officials to ask for public comment and hearings to bring these discriminatory practices to light."

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