DJs, Producer fired for mocking Berg

[dmspilot00]

I don't usually post off-topic threads, but I thought this might be of some interest because of all the talk on Iraq, Berg, and since we have some people here who work/used to work in radio.

2 Ore. DJs fired for mocking Berg's death
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Two disc jockeys were fired after playing an audiotape of the beheading of American Nick Berg by Iraqi militants, and cracking jokes about the grisly death.
Listeners called the radio station to complain after hearing Berg's bloodcurdling screams in the broadcast of the tape, followed by the DJs laughing and playing musical accompaniments.

The DJs, known as Marconi and Tiny, were fired Thursday from their morning show perch at Portland's KNRK-FM, which is owned by Pennsylvania-based Entercom Communications Corp. Their producer, known as "Nickie J," also was fired. Station employees would not release the legal names of the three.

"It was so over-the-top that I don't know that there is any logical, appropriate way to attempt to spin it," Clark Ryan, Entercom's vice president for FM operations in Portland, said Friday.

The station's manager sent an apology out over the airwaves, saying: "The actions of the KNRK news morning show were insensitive, inappropriate and repulsive. On behalf of Entercom Portland and KNRK, I apologize to our listeners."

Immediately after the broadcast, the DJs were suspended, and then fired the next day, Ryan said. The station specializes in new rock and alternative music from the 1990s.

One of the DJs apologized on his Web site, posting a statement that read, "I have become so numb to the horrific things that happen in this world that I sometimes forget there are still people who feel. I in no way meant to be insensitive to anyone. My comments on this were inapropriate (sic)."

Berg's headless body was found Saturday in Baghdad. Three days later, a videotape posted on an al-Qaeda-related Web site showed him decapitated by hooded, armed men.

Words can't describe how despicable this was. I am sickened by just reading desciptions of the video, let alone hearing it and then having people laugh at it??!!

 

[jarhead]

Shock Jocks have never been the vanguard for good taste. This guy and Howard Stern, and others thoughout the major markets are all over the airways across the country. There has been a quiet barrier starting to rise up against the promoters of bad taste, not only from regulators in the FCC, but from the bosses, and the public at large. Sponsers of Coke, Ford, Walmart, and Joe's Diner don't want to be associated with this type of "free speech". Bad for business, if it isn't just in bad taste.

 

[pa28cfi]

If it weren't for the internet none of us would have even seen the video and know enough to be offended. The networks refused to air it in the first place because they decided it was in "bad taste" and didn't want to risk upsetting the viewers and sponsors. Oh the irony.

 

[Dash8]

stern would have better sense than to do something like that, don't lump him in with all the local numbnuts trying to be more 'out there' than him.

Shock Jocks have never been the vanguard for good taste. This guy and Howard Stern, and others thoughout the major markets are all over the airways across the country. There has been a quiet barrier starting to rise up against the promoters of bad taste, not only from regulators in the FCC, but from the bosses, and the public at large. Sponsers of Coke, Ford, Walmart, and Joe's Diner don't want to be associated with this type of "free speech". Bad for business, if it isn't just in bad taste.

 

[SDCFI]

I lived in Portland for 9 mo's and used to hear these guys on the way to the airport in the morning. I'm not a fan of morning shows in general, I'd rather hear music, but these guys were (are) complete tools. Nothing they did was ever funny.

 

[JetSpeed219]

I agree with you SDCFI, I live in Portland now and I've heard these guys and they are dumba$$es.........I'm glad they were fired.

 

[flyifrvfr]

I like Don and Mike, I think they are pretty funny. They have an afternoon drive show. Flagship radio station is WJFK 106.7 out of Fairfax, VA