Randi Rhode’s Leaving Air America Affirms: There are Still Lines Not to Crossed on America’s Airwaves
Just in case you wondered how vulgar a show host would have to be to lose their platform, the recent suspension of host Randi Rhodes followed by her resignation proves there are some limits to what media and listeners will tolerate.
Air America Host Randi Rhodes was suspended last week for obscene language directed toward a political candidate at an AAR sponsored event.
But that’s now why Rhodes left the station. Apparently the line Rhodes crossed wasn’t calling Clinton and Ferraro F@*&# W…’s at an Air America sponsored event. It was refusing to apologize. Instead, Rhodes chose to terminate her employment.
While the predominate reaction on blog posts is anger, apparently the staff at Air America Radio feels some relief at the change, as do advocates of reasonable dialogue.
An anonymous America Radio staffer is quoted on the Huffington Post as saying “No one is upset. She made the move but there's relief and joy."
The Moderate Voice says: “What’s most notable about this incident is that it shows that there is a line that can’t be crossed — particularly in a divisive election year. Vigorous, even controversial discussions or characterizations could spark denunciations but aren’t on the same level as name-calling swearing.”
Reprint/Reuse Policy:
You have permission to use any of these articles in your newsletter, publications, or on your web site. Please:
1. Let us know when and how you are using the article via email:
2. If it is a web posting, please link back to this article
3. Place Meryl’s tag line at the end of the article with all her contact information. If on-line, please make certain that her web address links to her site. Thanks!
Tag line
Meryl Runion, Unite and Concur and Speak Strong (SpeakStrong) provides Power Phrases (PowerPhrases) and other tools to help you improve communication skills at work and at home and in your community.
She is the author of the books Unite and Concur, PowerPhrases!, How to Use PowerPhrases, Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors and How to Say It: Performance Reviews. You can reach her at 719-684-2633 or by email:
