Clear Channel Communications radio station, G105 promotes driving into cyclists as fun. (9/22-23/03).
The Bob and Madison morning show on G105 out of Raleigh was going on for awhile about how fun it is to run cyclists off of the roads, and how we don't deserve to be there. One woman called in and said her Dad hit a cyclist on purpose on his way to church one morning (very Christian of him) when she was 12 or something. She said he just hated bikes being on the road. The intern said there is an old man that lives in her neighborhood that shoots a pellet gun at a group of 30 or so that ride by their house.she said. He tries to hit their tires to make them crash.
The host even joked of riding a motorcycle down said-proposed bike path just to piss off bike riders.
The hosts egged-on the listeners in support of physically hurting cyclists as a way of telling us they don't want us on the road.
The ending shot was Bob, the host, talking about carrying a bunch of empty YooHoo bottles to pelt offending cyclists with. Once again, more calls rained in from people who agreed with him, and said that they would do the same. Clear Channel stations across the nation are broadcasting almost criminal "kill bicyclists" verbiage by shock jocks. The recent attacks occured on G105 in the NC Triangle market two days in a row (9/22-23/03). This follows similar comments by shows in Houston and Cleveland. Perhaps it is time to let Clear Channel know that these actions will not be tolerated by the cycling community. I would suggest contacting current advertisers, both local and national, until Clear Channel adresses this problem. Some of the advertisers with G105 include Toyota, US Cellular, Con Agra Foods, Applebees, and Kroger.
This info was gathered from numerous posts on cycling forums and first hand accounts of the broadcast. TMTB.com urges you to contact the advertizers on the show, g105 and Clear Channel to politely voice your opinion on the subject. They follow the money. If enough people write in and let them know they are going to stop listening, stop going to the companies that advertise; they might get the message.
G105
WDCG -FM Raleigh/Durham/
Chapel Hill
Music For All People
3100 Smoketree Court,
7th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27604
Business Hours: M-F, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Main Phone: (919) 878-1500
Request/Contest Phone: (919) 860-1051
Studio Fax: (919) 876-8578
Clear Channel
pr@clearchannel.com
Investor Relations
randypalmer@clearchannel.com
Lowry Mays
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
LLowryMays@clearchannel.com
Mark Mays
President and Chief Operating Officer
MarkPMays@clearchannel.com
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
these guys are at it again Clear Channel had this problem in Cleveland Write letter and clog there system with emails it worked before they issued a public apology and donated some bucks to the local bike advocact group. They need to reign in their DJ's And moe importantly maybe you could list sponsers and we could writ them and tell them we will cease using their products
r600aero
I think this is terrible, and heads should roll!!! I am sick and tired of people like this that are able to spread their anti cyclist filth on the radio, and is hurting all of us as cyclists...:( I can tell you if ANYONE wants to run me over, thats cool, but you better KILL me, as I will get up and beat that *****!!!:)
Ryan
ITALIA
Nate..
Contact info above.:beer:
ITALIA
Originally posted by r600aero
if ANYONE wants to run me over, thats cool, but you better KILL me, as I will get up and beat that *****!!!:)
Ryan
Ryan, I'm right behind ya...... LOL :D
Cycliste
This is aweful and I agree with your call. Not only they must cease doing this but also apologize and explain how irresponsibly they acted. These are pure hatred calls and incitation to first degree murders. Giving air time to road ragers and snipers and expressing legitimate reasons for their acts is punishable by law. Station should be shut down by authorities.
Letters to the mayor of Raleigh and State Governor would be appropriate, after all they are concerned by their citizens safety. :mad:
shaharidan
isn't doing that kind of thing on the radio illegal?
trappermark
I emailed Clear Channel.
shaharidan
i emailed clear channel, and my cycling club encouraging member not to buy products that advertise with clear channel, and to let those companies know why. it also couldnt hurt to drop an email to you congressmen, i plan to.
Cycliste
" isn't doing that kind of thing on the radio illegal?"
That's my point ! Particularly if they have done it already in July, got away with it with some mere apologies, while they were given a second chance they have not learned a lesson and legal action should be appropriate. I would even tend to think that law enforcement authorities should be able to be issued a warrant for arrest based on the threat to public safety they cause.
jester69
Clear channel SUCKS in so many ways I can't even begin to describe. Best answer boycott them.
they make it easy as their website has all the concert venues and radio stations they own listed in a database for you to search.
take care,
Jester
EDIT: Isn't this like the 5'th or 6'th clear channel station to advocete murdering cyclists?
chaztrip
guy pulls up to me in beat down truck and asks Hey there Fella what is with those queer pockets on the back of your little boy jersey thing that you are wearing.. as he is inching closer to me to run me off the road... I say its for holding my friends... he gives me a weird look and I pull out my smith and wesson 45...... the I wake up dang can never finish that dream. :D
Really tho I would not do that but it is so sad to hear that crap from the radio... I just hope that someone never TRYS to run me off the road... I would hate to see how I would react to that.
Baboon
The gang at ridemonkey are doing our best to tell these morons what we think about them.
Patch29
I had a brush with a minor road rage pickup. I was riding on the shoulder and a black pickup figured he would let me know he did not want me there. He slowed down and swerved right in front of me on the shoulder, then took off. I was not very happy and felt very vulnerable to these people. It is unfortunate that our world is populated with them.
fujibike
My response. It's dangerous enough out there as it is.
Dear Mr. Mays:
I am a listener of Clear Channel Communications radio network. I am a bicyclist. I have heard that radio personalities employed by Clear Channel Communications are promoting aggressive, injurious, and possibly deadly attacks against bicyclists. If this is true I strongly recommend that Clear Channel Communications immediately discharge such personalities that condone or encourage such activities. The bicycling community supports your stations and its advertisers. Having personalities make such suggestions in the name of entertainment is preposterous. Would you be so blind to their attacks against gays and lesbians? How about people of color? Maybe religious sects are okay? Isn't there enough hate and turmoil in the world that Clear Channel Communications finds it necessary to instigate hatred against an otherwise law-abiding, environmentally-concerned group?
Mr. Mays,I expect a personal reply to my letter. I want to know what you are doing about this issue. If you fail to respond, I will begin writing the sponsors of the local Clear Channel Communications stations and express my distaste of your entertainment practices and will therefore boycott the advertisers' products and services. I expect to hear from you no later than September 29, 2003.
Sincerely,
Doubt I'll hear from him so I guess I better start drafting my letters......
Pete Clark
I have a friend who remembers a confrontation with a bully in middle school (bullies are the same everywhere, right?) This guy threatened younger kids and basically screwed them for their lunch money and kicked their asses because he was bigger.
He saw this jerk threaten someone one day and the guy said, "OK, let's do it." and put up his fists. This jerk said, "You throw the first punch." Coward.
When this jerk hit the upper grades, older brothers of kids he had menaced heard he was "in town." The cornered him in the john and gave him a toilet shampoo, every day.
Moral: Clear Channel needs a toilet shampoo.
:thumbup:
Chris L
Originally posted by jester69
Clear channel SUCKS in so many ways I can't even begin to describe. Best answer boycott them.
they make it easy as their website has all the concert venues and radio stations they own listed in a database for you to search.
take care,
Jester
EDIT: Isn't this like the 5'th or 6'th clear channel station to advocete murdering cyclists?
You know, sometimes I wonder whether all these letters people keep sending are actually encouraging all this crap. Think of all the attention and publicity they've managed to generate for themselves on this website alone. They did the same thing a couple of months ago. So they had to issue an apology, big deal. It's still probably the cheapest advertising they've had yet.
I think perhaps it's time to start using some stealth here. Instead of firing letters to the station itself, maybe if a few were fired to the sponsors of the station (by-passing the station itself), explaing that we are boycotting them and explaining exactly why we are doing so. Perhaps that might be a little more effective.
huffman
If you get a minute, drop a line to the FCC and anyone else that will listen. The more people that contact them, the more it helps. Also pass it along to all your cycling friends.
Clear Channel Communications radio station, G105 promotes driving into cyclists as fun. (9/22-23/03).
The Bob and Madison morning show on G105 out of Raleigh was going on for awhile about how fun it is to run cyclists off of the roads, and how we don't deserve to be there. One woman called in and said her Dad hit a cyclist on purpose on his way to church one morning (very Christian of him) when she was 12 or something. She said he just hated bikes being on the road. The intern said there is an old man that lives in her neighborhood that shoots a pellet gun at a group of 30 or so that ride by their house.she said. He tries to hit their tires to make them crash.
The host even joked of riding a motorcycle down said-proposed bike path just to piss off bike riders.
The hosts egged-on the listeners in support of physically hurting cyclists as a way of telling us they don't want us on the road.
The ending shot was Bob, the host, talking about carrying a bunch of empty YooHoo bottles to pelt offending cyclists with. Once again, more calls rained in from people who agreed with him, and said that they would do the same. Clear Channel stations across the nation are broadcasting almost criminal "kill bicyclists" verbiage by shock jocks. The recent attacks occured on G105 in the NC Triangle market two days in a row (9/22-23/03). This follows similar comments by shows in Houston and Cleveland. Some of the advertisers with G105 include Toyota, US Cellular, Con Agra Foods, Applebees, and Kroger.
Pete Clark
It's the age-old game of picking out a group that seems to be weak or unable to defend itself and pinning all people's pent-up frustrations on them. The motive is simple: to gather listeners. The radio station wins, we lose. It needs to be nipped in the bud, and we seem to have nipped it quite nicely in the past. But we must remain ever-vigilant.
Cycliste
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris L
[B]You know, sometimes I wonder whether all these letters people keep sending are actually encouraging all this crap. Think of all the attention and publicity they've managed to generate for themselves on this website alone. They did the same thing a couple of months ago. So they had to issue an apology, big deal. It's still probably the cheapest advertising they've had yet
Couldn't agree more. They'll laugh at the letters, right on the air. We have a station here in Mass where the animator laughs at loud, wearing his pointy hat, at letters he receives commenting on his attacks on civil rights and minorities, sadly a great part of their audience love it. Leaving in a free democratic world doesn't seem to mean everybody gets more intelligent, we haven't reach this step of civilization yet. Anyway, going back to the actions, boycotting the sponsors and the legal route are the best ways.
Who are the sponsors ? (sorry if someone post them already, I missed them), and is there anyone on this forum from the legal profession and could give us input on potential action ?
huffman
One way to get their attention is to walk into their advertisers businesses, explain the situation, inform them that because of this you won't be spending money there for at least the next month, suggesting that friends do likewise and follow through.
FXjohn
"Someone threw a yoohoo bottle at me..I'm suing your station for telling people to do it"
There must be something we can do.
FXjohn
Spire
Originally posted by FXjohn
"Someone threw a yoohoo bottle at me..I'm suing your station for telling people to do it"
There must be something we can do.
FXjohn
Seems entirely reasonable to sue them.
CarlJStoneham
Why doesn't someone just call in to let the DJs know that cyclists carry cell phones and anyone who implements their suggestions will have their license plate number reported to the police and/or will be sued for vehicular assault?
CarlJStoneham
PS You want to really make a statement? E-mail the organizers of the T-Mobile International (sponsored by CCC) and see what they have to say... Lance Armstrong Foundation might be interested as well (since they competed). Lance can be a great voice ;) ...
ngateguy
Actual letters are more effective then emails faxes work also phone calls are worthless. But as mentioned before it is time to by pass Clear Channel maybe the FCC will help but letters to sponsers do work. Each letter counts as something like 3000 opinions so every negitive letter they recieve they do take notice, much more than the positive so lets start with Kroger and work our way down the list the reason I say Kroger is they are the Largest Grocery Chain in the country and they own Ralphs, QFC and Fred Myers out here on the Left coast At my lunch I will look up their contct info.
ngateguy
Okay here are a couple of links to the Sponsors on Clear Channel WRITE THEM not Clear Channel all they seem to want is the publicity that these things are generating otherwise it wouldn't of happened 3 time (or is it 4)
Kroger
http://www.kroger.com/contactus.htm
US Cellular
http://www.uscc.com/uscellular/SilverStream/Pages/uscellular.html
ATT Wireless
http://www.attwireless.com/specials/grandopening/rebate.html
These are the Three major ones on the Raleigh website. Check your local stations websites for more and write them keep it up until this BS stops
scarry
Beat me to it, I was just going to post this story.
Ditto to you all.
Chris L
Originally posted by CarlJStoneham
Why doesn't someone just call in to let the DJs know that cyclists carry cell phones and anyone who implements their suggestions will have their license plate number reported to the police and/or will be sued for vehicular assault?
Probably because that will give them more ammunition on their show - and because they can hang up on callers anytime they like. I've seen that sort of thing tried with the likes of Stan Zemanek out here. Rarely (if ever) does anything likely to make him look like the tosser he is actually get to air.
ParamountScapin
I forwarded this info to Trek and USA Cycling and ask for them to get involved in some manner, telling them that we could use their 'muscle' to help on this issue. If there is a trade association in the U.S. for bicycling, either manufacturing or sales, that would be another good group to contact to get involved. Posting contact info for sponsors is a great idea.
chaztrip
I hope that something Positve comes out of this! I have sent my letters off
Da Tinker
Unless I am missing something, a good lawyer could get Clear Channel by the short & curly. This makes three CC shows that have advocated violence towards cyclist (Houston, Cleveland, and now these bozos). This indicates a clear pattern of behavior and corporate attitudes. By all means, let's get the FCC after these goons, but while we're at it, anybody know an aggressive, ACLU-type lawyer looking for a good, pro bono fight?
My daddy always said, "Son, when you got them by the balls, it's time to SQUEEZE."
Da Tinker
Also, a quote from Plato just sprang to mind,"Boys throw stones at frogs in sport, but the frogs die in ernest."
I don't care to be a frog.
Chris L
Just pulled this straight off usenet:
Here's a quick list of sponsors & vendors found on their website:
Kroger groceries Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar Time Warner Cable
cc.com attwireless.com Slim Jim Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC Walt Disney Home Entertainment
VistaPrint Palm Computer Date.com
And, most ironically: thegreenguide.com (!?!)
I guess it's going to be hard to "boycott" things I don't even use.
John E
Originally posted by Da Tinker
... This makes three CC shows that have advocated violence towards cyclist (Houston, Cleveland, and now these bozos). This indicates a clear pattern of behavior and corporate attitudes. By all means, let's get the FCC after these goons ...
Actually, Tinker, this brings the total to FIVE CC stations, including one in the San Jose / Santa Cruz area of Northern California and one in, I believe, Missouri. We need to exert united, concerted pressure on the FCC, as well as the sponsors. Concentration of broadcast media ownership is already a highly controversial issue; let's add the pressure that the CC management is too inept to keep their own DJs from openly using the public airwaves to advocate criminal assault. Perhaps CC should lose a few licenses ...
Da Tinker
And these goons bill themselves as 'creative'. One comes up with a schtick, and all use it, without even thinking about the consequences. Thanks for the correction.
I'm working a multo-pronged attack, the management of the radio stations, advertisers & the FCC. The Houston branch has recanted, but I want them to do some free bike advocacy stuff.
Geraldo
I just emailed CC. Bear in mind that it doesn't matter if you don't use anything the sponsors sell, they won't know that when you email them.
Also, as much as I hate lawsuits, I think it would be great if there is a way for injured cyclists in these cities to file suit against CC for inciting the violence.
Pete Clark
Originally posted by Geraldo
Also, as much as I hate lawsuits, I think it would be great if there is a way for injured cyclists in these cities to file suit against CC for inciting the violence.
I just saw a movie (based on a true story) about a girl who was raped by three men in a bar.
It started with one man, but onlookers cheered him and actively encouraged him and two more man to rape her, as well.
The jury found that the onlookers broke the law by enciting the violence, and they went to the slammer.
Nice flick.
BigFloppyLlama
Originally posted by John E
Actually, Tinker, this brings the total to FIVE CC stations, including one in the San Jose / Santa Cruz area of Northern California and one in, I believe, Missouri. We need to exert united, concerted pressure on the FCC, as well as the sponsors. Concentration of broadcast media ownership is already a highly controversial issue; let's add the pressure that the CC management is too inept to keep their own DJs from openly using the public airwaves to advocate criminal assault. Perhaps CC should lose a few licenses ...
Do you know which stations promoted this in San Jose and Santa Cruz? I listen to a few clear channel stations, but usually find them to be somewhat rational.
ngateguy
Clear channel owns several staions in any given market, here in Seattle they tend to be on the tame side . It doesn't matter on individual stations it is the corprate attitude that I look for. Clear Channels corprate culture looks suspiciously like they are really condonong and promoting this kind of programing so in that case since they make money off of me listening to them I will not listen to any of their channels until that corprate culture changes. This time a simple on air apology and a small donation to local bike advocy groups will not work. If they do not believe in this kind of programing or are trully sdorry for any mis doings of their employees they will make examples of those employees and fire them. It is time for a nationwide boycott of Clear channel stations. And if they still do not get the message then it is time to boycott their sponsers. The dollar bill weilds a huge amount of power, we must use it to get our point accross. I myself am a regular shopper of stores in the Kroger chain, and ATT wireless is my cell phone provider I have written letters to both of them explaining my disgust and that I will not give my money to people who sponsor companies that advocate violence against anyone. They need to be reminded that we do not have to spend our money with them and that there a tons of other options out there than their company. I was reading that Clear Channel has been flooded with emails from cyclists and there are protests being planned in the Raleigh area. I say if they do not fire these DJ's that we protests in all their markets and boycott all their sponsers. Rermember Letters ans Faxes work better than phone calls and emails. Companies seem to pay attention more to the person who takes the time to write and mail a letter than one who emails or picks up the phone to complain.
LarryJ
Here is the email I sent to the CEO (John Hogan) and COO (Lowry Mays) of Clearchannel, in addition to an FCC rep.
I've put the reply I received from Clearchannel's regional VP below my note:
=======================================
Dear Mr. Hogan,
A persistent rumor has been circulating in the cycling
community that a talk show host in Raleigh,
specifically Bob Dumas of G105/WDCG-FM, advised
listeners to violently
and criminally assault cyclists on the road.
Unfortunately the station manager was unresponsive to
requests by a well known and well respected cycling
advocate to North Carolina to provide specific details
about the nature of the broadcast, and in fact
exhibited amazing ignorance about traffic law
pertaining to cyclists.
I realize that "shock radio" is entertainment rather
than
information, and that the manner in which talk radio
hosts maintain an audience is to cut close to the edge
in
terms of taste and societel norms of polite
communication.
But advising listeners to assault law-abiding
passersby
in a possibly lethal manner is very far over the line,
and I'm sure you agree that it is.
My request is that transcripts of the broadcast be
released to the local cycling organizations, and that
if these rumors prove to be true, that you and the
local station work with those organizations to arrive
at a remedy.
There are many funny things in this world, but violent
assault is not one of them. And I hope that the
rumors
I've been hearing prove unfounded.
Larry Johnson
========================================
The Reply
========================================
September 26, 2003
Thank you for your e-mail message regarding recent Bob and Madison morning show broadcasts on G105.
Our morning show includes a good deal of animated banter, between callers and on-air personalities, that can be both humorous and caustic. The intention is always to entertain our listeners. During a couple of shows this week, time was spent by callers and on-air personalities discussing driving and cyclists. During this discussion, comments were made which at the time we felt were humorous in nature. In retrospect we feel that the some of the comments were inappropriate, and for that we sincerely apologize.
Be assured that G105 does not advocate harm to cyclists. Again, thank you for your message and please feel free to write or phone me in the event I can be of service.
Best regards,
Ken Spitzer
Regional Vice President
G105-FM Radio
ngateguy
Nope his response doesn't cut it especially since this is the third time it has happened with in their company.
Spire
Are there any legal ways to obtain a transcript?
ngateguy
I believe that since it is on public airways you can request a copy there maybe a fee involved but I am not sure
MisterJ
You can make a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request, but they do have the right to charge you for it.
I e-mailed everybody, including the two DJ's and asked if it was true, and stated that I considered it to be unacceptable.
closetbiker
Originally posted by ngateguy
This time a simple on air apology and a small donation to local bike advocy groups will not work... The dollar bill weilds a huge amount of power, we must use it to get our point accross.
The best way to hit that pocket book would be to sue. Where is L.A.W. on this issue? They must have lawyers that could make some money for cycling advocacy by a nice, fat judgement. I'm no lawyer, but it would seem to me that this broadcasting is illegal. As noble a boycott of Clear Channel sponsers would be, a suit would be far more effective.
Guest
I know that radio stations tape their broadcasts, but they're not required to keep it.
If someone's looking to get transcripts, they should instead be asking them to review the tapes from that day. They may or may not make a transcript of that, but they normally would not.
If they're really feeling the pressure, they already may have taped over that broadcast already. Then there's not a lot you can do at that point. If we're really serious about getting a copy of that tape, we may need to consult an attorney and have the attorney act quickly to retrieve the tape through legal means as soon as possible.
What about that bicycling attorney out in California? Has anyone attempted to contact him to see if he's interested in pursuing litigation against Clear Channel on behalf of cyclists?
Koffee
fujibike
Received this response today as I would expect many of you may have. I'll be writing their advertisers.
September 29, 2003
Thank you for your e-mail message regarding recent Bob and Madison morning show broadcasts on G105.
Our morning show includes a good deal of animated banter, between callers and on-air personalities, that can be both humorous and caustic. The intention is always to entertain our listeners. During a couple of shows this week, time was spent by callers and on-air personalities discussing driving and cyclists. During this discussion, comments were made which at the time we felt were humorous in nature. In retrospect we feel that the some of the comments were inappropriate, and for that we sincerely apologize.
Be assured that G105 does not advocate harm to cyclists. Again, thank you for your message and please feel free to write or phone me in the event I can be of service.
Best regards,
Ken Spitzer
Regional Vice President
G105-FM Radio
Phone: 919-878-1500
closetbiker
Originally posted by fujibike
Received this response today as I would expect many of you may have. I'll be writing their advertisers.
Forget thier advertisers, we're a tiny percentage of people. They can alienate all the cyclists they want and still have a huge fan base. Sue. Money talks, Bullsh*t walks.
MisterJ
Actually, a vocal minority can have an affect on advertisers. Letting the advertisers know that these activities are disconcerting and generally not in the best interest of society at large can be very effective.