Clear Channel Radio DJs threatening cyclists, again! A reply

September 8, 2003

Dear Burr,

First of all, let me personally apologize to you for the
irresponsible
comments made in June by our morning hosts Walton and
Johnson and were
mistakenly replayed on Tuesday, September 2.

It was never the intention of our hosts to encourage
violence against
cyclists and the comments made are not the type of comments
KLOL or this
company would ever condone.

Walton and Johnson went on the air the very next day and
apologized for
their remarks. In addition, Vince and I personally
responded to every
e-mail and phone call we received to make sure people knew
how seriously
we view this incident, that action was taken and that we are
very
responsible broadcasters.

After this occurred, Vince spoke with the programs producer
and told him
to destroy the tape to make sure it was not accidentally
included in
another program or station promotion. After the apology
both of us
hoped that would be the end of this situation.

Then on Tuesday, September 2, during Walton and Johnson's
vacation, a
"best of" program was aired, including the original
incident. This show
was not approved by our program director and would not have
been allowed
on the air had a tape been known to exist. Trust me when I
tell you we
are totally embarrassed and quite upset and that appropriate
steps have
been taken with the personnel responsible for this serious
error.

This type of insubordination and irresponsibility will not
be tolerated.

We take our commitment to our community and our
responsibility as
broadcasters very seriously. In fact, we have met with the
Houston
Police Departments Safety Officer to create an extensive
bike safety PSA
campaign to run on our 8 local radio stations.

Again, let me apologize and thank you for giving me the
opportunity to
answer your concerns personally.

Best Regards,


Mark Kopelman
Regional Vice President/ General Manager
Clear Channel Houston


-----Original Message---

In article , Burr wrote:

September 8, 2003

Dear Burr,

First of all, let me personally apologize to you for the
irresponsible
comments made in June by our morning hosts Walton and
Johnson and were
mistakenly replayed on Tuesday, September 2.

It was never the intention of our hosts to encourage
violence against
cyclists and the comments made are not the type of comments
KLOL or this
company would ever condone.

But nobody thought before they were aired...and then they got re-aired...

Walton and Johnson went on the air the very next day and
apologized for
their remarks. In addition, Vince and I personally
responded to every
e-mail and phone call we received to make sure people knew
how seriously
we view this incident, that action was taken and that we are
very
responsible broadcasters.

After this occurred, Vince spoke with the programs producer
and told him
to destroy the tape to make sure it was not accidentally
included in
another program or station promotion. After the apology
both of us
hoped that would be the end of this situation.

But it wasn't...

Then on Tuesday, September 2, during Walton and Johnson's
vacation, a
"best of" program was aired, including the original
incident. This show
was not approved by our program director and would not have
been allowed
on the air had a tape been known to exist. Trust me when I
tell you we
are totally embarrassed and quite upset and that appropriate
steps have
been taken with the personnel responsible for this serious
error.

What I want to know is, did anyone get fired?

This type of insubordination and irresponsibility will not
be tolerated.

What? Did a severe wrist-slapping take place, I wonder?

We take our commitment to our community and our
responsibility as
broadcasters very seriously. In fact, we have met with the
Houston
Police Departments Safety Officer to create an extensive
bike safety PSA
campaign to run on our 8 local radio stations.

I wonder what the campaign says. If it says something like "Always be sure
to wear your helmet," some people here will have a cow. ;-)

Again, let me apologize and thank you for giving me the
opportunity to
answer your concerns personally.

Best Regards,


Mark Kopelman
Regional Vice President/ General Manager
Clear Channel Houston

You just have to wonder at the intelligence of people who could let
something like this air not only once, but twice.
--
Trudi

"The show has enlightened me on the positive effects of being well-groomed...There was a particularly moving episode involving nose hair that really hit home."
--male viewer's comment on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"
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