2-16-14
Apparently Steve and Leeana (pictured) are in a bit of hot water for a story they made up about same sex marriage on their program last week. The Connoisseur Long Island morning team have apologized and the story about what they did is making national news (see Chicago Tribune). Without the knowledge of management, the pair told a story about someone named Sophia having a birthday party, and a parent invited to the party rejecting the invitation, scolding Sophia's parents for being gay (see note below). The morning host's posted invitation to the party on Facebook and invited comments from listeners. It's a topic that might certainly seem real torn from the news headlines these days. CEO Jeff Warshaw told Radio Ink, "Even though (Steve and Leeana) are strong supporters of gay rights, their actions were a mistake and not consistent with our culture."
Steve & Leeana posted the following apology to the station website. "This story was, in fact, totally fictitious, and created by the two of us. This was done without the knowledge of K-98.3 management or ownership. We were attempting to spur a healthy discourse on a highly passionate topic, but we made a mistake by misleading our listeners into thinking that this specific situation actually existed. We are very sorry that we perpetuated this falsehood, even after it was clear that it had taken on a 'life of its own.' We deeply apologize for violating your trust, and we will work hard to regain that trust."
What are your thoughts? Is it OK to fabricate a story to generate discussion about a topic that is making headlines today?
(2/16/2014 11:13:13 PM)
Give 'em a good talking-to and make them promise to be good. That is, unless there is someone who is a lot better and more P.C. than them standing in the wings.
Actually, the story of their experiences after the transgression may be more appealing than the concocted story anyway.
It is perfectly acceptable to make up a fake gay couple...create a homophobic RSVP to their daughter's birthday party...and later tell incensed listeners that "we were only trying to promote discussion on a critical issue."
Yes, perfectly acceptable. Assuming you want a one-way ticket to the Unemployment office.
- Tom Tradup, V.P., News & Talk Programming SRN
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