[rfu-automation] Re: Explicit Lyrics on Automation

Fri Feb 27 14:21:39 CST 2009

Ok. I do think that there are a couple things that we probably still
have to work on:
1) a document on what is ok and not ok  to be on automation. Just
something really mechanistic such as a list of words.
2) more control over what is getting on the automation.

I know that we've been working on this a lot, and I think that it's
gotten better.

I just wanted to report what I heard.

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 1:59 PM, Joe Futrelle <futrelle at shout.net> wrote:
> 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.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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>
>
>
> --
> Joe Futrelle
> Person
>
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>

-- 
Noel L. Vivar
505 E. Clark St., Apt. 24
Champaign, IL 61820-4420
630.740.5775