Was Air America Radio suspension of host Randi Rhodes repression of free speech or a vote for good taste?
Unite and Concur Author proposes Rhode’s suspension
may pave the way for higher standards.
Air America Radio’s suspension of talk show host Randi Rhodes stirred anger among her fans, drew cheers among her detractors, and was heralded as an example for other outlets to follow by Unite and Concur author Meryl Runion.
(If you’re asking, “Randi who?”, she’s a liberal talk show host who is generally considered smart, outspoken and often caustic. Air America Radio suspended her last week for calling Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro “f*&#%^$ whores.”)
“If you follow the discussions whenever a media figure gets suspended for poor word choice,” Runion says, “you get the impression that you have to be disrespectful in order to disagree. The real issue of Rhode’s suspension is whether we condone calling public figures F&%#& whores. It doesn’t matter how we feel about Clinton or how we feel about Rhodes. Either we approve of this kind of language or we don’t.”
Air America’s press release read:
“Air America has suspended on-air host Randi Rhodes for making inappropriate statements about prominent figures, including Senator Hillary Clinton, at a recent public appearance on behalf of Air America in San Francisco which was sponsored by an Air America affiliate station. ‘Air America encourages strong opinions about public affairs but does not condone such abusive, ad hominem language by our Hosts.”
Runion comments” “To ignore this kind of vulgarity is to condone it. I know, I know, it sells. Randi Rhodes commanded high ratings. I predict she will command higher ratings if she returns to the air, keeping her feisty nature but losing her vulgar tirades. I predict she would keep her current fan base and gain a new base of people who like their commentary to be clear without being caustic and corrosive.”
Runion’s communication philosophy is to say what you mean, and mean what you say, without being mean when you say it. She encourages individuals to advocate clear, substantive dialogue from the candidates and media outlets they support.
“Air America Radio took a step in the direction of reasonable dialogue.” Runion says. “Let’s hope others take the cue and encourage and support substance over mudslinging.”
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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:
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