Oneida Nation, CBS Radio/Washington Spar Over Stations' Rejection Of Anti-'Redskins' Ads

Change It?

CBS RADIO Sports WJFK (105.3 THE FAN) and Top 40/Rhythmic WPGC/WASHINGTON's rejection of spots from the ONEIDA NATION criticizing the WASHINGTON REDSKINS' refusal to change their name was termed "un-American" by a tribal spokesman.

RAY HALBRITTER told the WASHINGTON POST, “It is unfortunate and un-American that the station permits the team to slander Native Americans on the public airwaves with the use of the r-word, but doesn’t permit Native Americans to use the same airwaves to object to the use of a racial slur.”

But CBS RADIO/WASHINGTON SVP STEVE SWENSON told the tribe in an email obtained by the POST, "Based on the amount of on-air debate, adding paid commercials from one side is not something that we think is beneficial for this discussion and for our audience."  And in a statement to the POST on the subject, SWENSON added, “The issue has been heavily debated on WJFK where we can provide a good balance of discussion, opinions and context to the issue through our programming.  Our audience has reacted positively to that presentation, and we will continue to approach the situation keeping in-line with our audiences’ expectations.”

The ONEIDA NATION has been running a "Change the Mascot" campaign which included ads that ran on WJFK sister station Sports KRLD-F (105.3 THE FAN)/DALLAS before the REDSKINS-COWBOYS game.

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