[rfu-automation] Re: Explicit Lyrics on Automation

Fri Feb 27 12:40:16 CST 2009

The short version: we need to talk about this issue. Until then, we  
should remove the track in question.

Can someone take care of checking the log and removing the track from  
the 'clean and local' listing (and Zara)?

***
I talked briefly with Stephen about this last night. It seems likely  
that the word, if it occurred, was in a track that intended to use it  
in a 'reclaiming' fashion. However, that may not be sufficient for our  
purposes.

First:
- The word is not likely to fall foul of the FCC's indecency and  
obscenity rules
- The IMC has a commitment to providing a welcoming space for all, and  
in particular of not permitting racist behavior [I make no judgement  
on whether the use *was* racist in this case]
- It is possible that use of the word could cause offense or, to put  
it mildly, confusion to a casual listener, irrespective of the intent  
of the artist, or the person who adds it to automation
- Automation does not allow us the opportunity to add context and  
explanation to listeners when airing individual songs, and tracks may  
air at any time of the day, separated from tracks of similar genre or  
context

My suggestion:
- As an interim measure we seek to remove the track in question from  
automation until we reach consensus on a long-term solution
- We discuss the matter at the next Automation meeting, with proposals  
on policy to be brought to the general meeting
- I believe any policy should recognize the special situation of  
automation, as opposed to individual shows, where a presenter can  
choose a mix of songs and give context.
- Any rule should be simple to implement and monitor.
-- That suggests it may be best to have a policy of removing certain  
words from all tracks entered into automation, even though in some  
cases this goes beyond what would be required to adhere to FCC rules  
(and will not, in other cases, be enough to ensure compliance).
-- It also suggests a different standard be expected of live shows.

Andrew

On Feb 27, 2009, at 12:00 PM, rfu-automation- 
request at lists.chambana.net wrote:

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:18:29 -0600
> From: "Noel L. Vivar" <nlvivar at gmail.com>
> Subject: [rfu-automation] Explicit Lyrics on Automation
> To: WRFU Automation <rfu-automation at lists.chambana.net>
> Message-ID:
> 	<c3649b070902261218w45bd9511meabc649b3cb23290 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> at around 12:10, I'm pretty sure that I heard "nigger" on the air. Is
> this ok with us? I'm at the station right now, but I'm not sure how to
> check the automation. How does our system work on that computer?
>
> I'll talk to Stephen if I get the chance.
>
> -Noel
>
> -- 
> Noel L. Vivar
> 505 E. Clark St., Apt. 24
> Champaign, IL 61820-4420
> 630.740.5775
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:48:57 -0600
> From: Stephen Fonzo <fonzo.stephen at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [rfu-automation] Explicit Lyrics on Automation
> To: "Noel L. Vivar" <nlvivar at gmail.com>
> Cc: WRFU Automation <rfu-automation at lists.chambana.net>
> Message-ID:
> 	<887c6a420902261548n70b19b7aw7e06962ca352008f at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I'm not sure how we should deal with this case.  However, to check the
> automation, you need to view the ZaraRadio logs.
>
> Here's how:
>
> 1) After logging in to JIMBO, open the Content [G:\] directory and  
> at the
> bottom open the Zara files folder.
> 2) There is a log folder - open this and view the contents by date  
> (they are
> also named by date).
> 3) The logs have the time that each file played, and the name of the  
> file,
> as well as any notes about errors.
>
> If we decide that this is explicit enough to take out of rotation,  
> we don't
> actually delete the file.  Search for the song in iTunes, and change  
> the
> label so that it does not include [clean] in the album or song title.
>
> -Stephen
>
> On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 2:18 PM, Noel L. Vivar <nlvivar at gmail.com>  
> wrote:
>
>> at around 12:10, I'm pretty sure that I heard "nigger" on the air. Is
>> this ok with us? I'm at the station right now, but I'm not sure how  
>> to
>> check the automation. How does our system work on that computer?
>>
>> I'll talk to Stephen if I get the chance.
>>
>> -Noel
>>
>> --
>> Noel L. Vivar
>> 505 E. Clark St., Apt. 24
>> Champaign, IL 61820-4420
>> 630.740.5775
>> _______________________________________________
>> rfu-automation mailing list
>> rfu-automation at lists.chambana.net
>> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/rfu-automation
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Stephen Fonzo
> Media Training Advisor
> AmeriCorps CTC VISTA
> Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
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