Radio Host Banned...Wisconsin In FCC War??? - GoFuckYourself.com

Greg B · 12-05-2004, 12:09 PM

Radio host pulled after using profanity
Saturday, December 4, 2004 Posted: 9:39 PM EST (0239 GMT)

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A radio station indefinitely suspended a talk-show host after he used an obscenity on the air while criticizing state lawmakers.

Michael McGee's "Word Warriors" show was canceled because the expletive may have violated federal broadcast law, Jerrel Jones, owner of WNOV-AM, said Friday.

McGee uttered the word Thursday as he criticized state lawmakers' handling of a social service agency that has come under fire over how it has used money from the state's welfare-to-work program.

A recent state audit showed the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee paid McGee $176,000 from the program to sponsor his show from 1997 to 2003. Under pressure from lawmakers, the OIC agreed to no longer sponsor radio programs.

McGee, a former Milwaukee alderman, said he believes lawmakers' criticisms of the OIC were racially motivated. The center has a predominantly black staff and clientele.

McGee defended his use of the obscenity, saying he meant to imply that legislators were stupid: "It was offensive and it was meant to be offensive, based on their stupid actions related to OIC," he said.

McGee said he had "voluntarily suspended" his show for the sake of the radio station, but Jones said he ordered the suspension because he does not want to jeopardize his Federal Communications Commission license.

"I'm walking on eggshells with the FCC," Jones said.

Jones said he received complaints after a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about McGee's use of the expletive, which the newspaper described as the F-word. An FCC spokeswoman said the agency had not received any complaints against McGee or WNOV by Friday.

Jones said he would issue an on-air apology on Monday.

Jones said he'll decide whether to put McGee back on the air after listening to tapes of his show. He added that he will install a delay device if he allows McGee to return.

The controversy is the latest in a series of disputes in Wisconsin about radio hosts' language.

Conservative Milwaukee radio show host Mark Belling was taken off the air for a week last month after referring to undocumented Mexican immigrants as "wetbacks," sparking protests and the withdrawal of some advertisers.

In Madison, morning radio personality John "Sly" Sylvester apologized for calling secretary of state nominee Condoleezza Rice "Aunt Jemima" on his show last month. He first handed out pancake mix and syrup in a spoof of his comment.

12-05-2004, 12:09 PM	#1
Greg B So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: EARTH (for the time being) Posts: 7,014	Radio Host Banned...Wisconsin In FCC War??? Radio host pulled after using profanity Saturday, December 4, 2004 Posted: 9:39 PM EST (0239 GMT) MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A radio station indefinitely suspended a talk-show host after he used an obscenity on the air while criticizing state lawmakers. Michael McGee's "Word Warriors" show was canceled because the expletive may have violated federal broadcast law, Jerrel Jones, owner of WNOV-AM, said Friday. McGee uttered the word Thursday as he criticized state lawmakers' handling of a social service agency that has come under fire over how it has used money from the state's welfare-to-work program. A recent state audit showed the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee paid McGee $176,000 from the program to sponsor his show from 1997 to 2003. Under pressure from lawmakers, the OIC agreed to no longer sponsor radio programs. McGee, a former Milwaukee alderman, said he believes lawmakers' criticisms of the OIC were racially motivated. The center has a predominantly black staff and clientele. McGee defended his use of the obscenity, saying he meant to imply that legislators were stupid: "It was offensive and it was meant to be offensive, based on their stupid actions related to OIC," he said. McGee said he had "voluntarily suspended" his show for the sake of the radio station, but Jones said he ordered the suspension because he does not want to jeopardize his Federal Communications Commission license. "I'm walking on eggshells with the FCC," Jones said. Jones said he received complaints after a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about McGee's use of the expletive, which the newspaper described as the F-word. An FCC spokeswoman said the agency had not received any complaints against McGee or WNOV by Friday. Jones said he would issue an on-air apology on Monday. Jones said he'll decide whether to put McGee back on the air after listening to tapes of his show. He added that he will install a delay device if he allows McGee to return. The controversy is the latest in a series of disputes in Wisconsin about radio hosts' language. Conservative Milwaukee radio show host Mark Belling was taken off the air for a week last month after referring to undocumented Mexican immigrants as "wetbacks," sparking protests and the withdrawal of some advertisers. In Madison, morning radio personality John "Sly" Sylvester apologized for calling secretary of state nominee Condoleezza Rice "Aunt Jemima" on his show last month. He first handed out pancake mix and syrup in a spoof of his comment.