[rfu-automation] Re: Explicit Lyrics on Automation

Fri Feb 27 13:59:24 CST 2009

We're on a slippery slope here towards censorship. We are supposed to be
screening automation in order to maintain FCC compliance, not in order to
protect listeners from being offended in ways which would not jeopardize our
FCC license--there are so many ways listeners could be offended that we
cannot and should not anticipate them all.

As I understand it we are not responsible for the content of what we air
*except* wrt the IMC's policies, the 501c3 status content restrictions, FCC
content restrictions, and any applicable laws (maybe we're liable if we air
fake emergency warnings, or something like that). There's no law against the
N-word, as offensive as it may be in some contexts.

Our policies should not include content restrictions. Period. The only
content restrictions we should be enforcing are the ones being imposed on us
by our relationships with the IMC, the IRS, and the FCC.

If someone is creating a hostile atmosphere by airing racist content, then
we should give them a chance to correct it and if they don't, show them the
door. We shouldn't just censor that content and allow the person to continue
to operate in a racist manner outside of those content restrictions.

The only reason to be pre-emptive about removing automation content is when
it's obvious that a single complaint could cost us our license or jeopardize
the 501c3 status.

So in this case, just noticing the N-word does not rise to the level where
we need to take action. If on the other hand one of us hears the N-word in a
track on automation *and is offended by it*, then that one of us *should
complain about being offended* so that we can address what is really, and
not just potentially, offensive content.

Otherwise we're doing our community a disservice by "protecting" them from
each other's free expression and the conflict / discussion that ensues.

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 12:40 PM, Andrew Ó Baoill <andrew at funferal.org>wrote:

> 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.netwrote:
>
>  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> 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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-- 
Joe Futrelle
Person
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