UCCtruths

The United Church of Christ's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) is trying to capitalize on the Don Imus controversy to generate support to restrict the FCC's media ownership regulations. From the JWM email:

Indeed the public airwaves should be used to enhance the common good, by accurately and fairly reporting the news, including diverse voices in public dialogue about important issues facing our country and the world, and promoting a respectful, thoughtful and constructive exchange of opinions and ideas. If the media were more justly owned and run, there would be people of color involved in producing Don Imus’ show, people who would not have let his remarks slip by unchallenged.

While there is plenty of good reasons to support modification of the FCC media ownership regulations, this is not one of them. Not only is the connection absurd, the reality is that the Imus controversy could serve as an example for the defense of the current media ownership regulations.

Contrary to JWM claims, Imus' comments did not go unchallenged and within a week, Imus was fired by two of the largest media conglomerates - NBC/Universal and CBS - which completely invalidates JWM's arguments against the conglomerates.

The racial demographics of radio employees are also not a guarantee that radio personalities will not continue to say stupid and racist things. Although I don't know the racial makeup of Imus' show, Howard Stern's long time black co-host, Robin Quivers, certainly hasn't curbed the shock jocks comments. JWM's email falsely presumes that only white radio personalities are capable of stupid and racist comments.