WTVN Mocks Mayor, Immigrants
- by: Ohio Action Circle
- recipient: Clear Channel, 610 WTVN
We the undersigned write in strong condemnation of a promotion being run through your affiliate 610 WTVN, a copy of which appears here: http://tinyurl.com/StopWTVN
The ad depicts Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman on a Permanent Resident ID, or "Green Card." The site describes a trip in which the winner of the contest will receive the chance to "chase illegals" and "a few pesos in spending cash."
The offensive promotion mocks the immigrant community, particularly Latinos. First, a human being cannot be "illegal." Relegating a human being to such a subclass is unethical, and what’s worse, WTVN seems to think that chasing undocumented immigrants is some sort of game.
According to the FBI, the rate of hate crimes against Latinos has spiked in recent years, corresponding with a rise in inflammatory anti-immigration rhetoric. The type of depiction of the immigrant community displayed by 610 WTVN and other media outlets is contributing to the sudden rise in Latinos being targeted by hate groups and other extremists.
Furthermore, the station's mockery of the immigrant community is in direct violation of the Clear Channel Creed, which in part states:
"We believe we have an obligation for the well-being of the communities in which we live. We further believe the future success of our communities and the industries where we do business is dependent upon the responsibility we feel, the high standards we set and the positive impact our actions have."
Mr. Dytko, such a disregard for the values of your company, namely the intrinsic value of the communities it serves, reflects poorly on your company and on those companies which choose to advertise with you. To be clear, we plan to meet with these local companies to voice our concerns. Many of these businesses have a substantial Latino customer base.
It should also be noted that this promotion is not the product of one of the syndicated national shows, which frequently air on 610 WTVN. Our community sadly has become all too familiar with the hateful and otherwise offensive comments directed toward us on conservative talk radio. Clear Channel is clear that the views and opinions expressed on these shows are those of the radio personalities, and not necessarily those of Clear Channel or its affiliates. However, as is clearly stated in the promotion, this is a direct product of 610 WTVN.
We demand that 610 WTVN end this promotion immediately and publicly apologize.
Brian Dytko
General Manager
Clear Channel Columbus
2323 W. Fifth Ave.
Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43204
Mr. Dytko:
We the undersigned write in strong condemnation of a promotion being run through your affiliate 610 WTVN, a copy of which appears here: http://tinyurl.com/StopWTVN
The ad depicts Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman on a Permanent Resident ID, or "Green Card." The site describes a trip in which the winner of the contest will receive the chance to "chase illegals" and "a few pesos in spending cash."
The offensive promotion mocks the immigrant community, particularly Latinos. First, a human being cannot be "illegal." Relegating a human being to such a subclass is unethical, and what%u2019s worse, WTVN seems to think that chasing undocumented immigrants is some sort of game.
According to the FBI, the rate of hate crimes against Latinos has spiked in recent years, corresponding with a rise in inflammatory anti-immigration rhetoric. The type of depiction of the immigrant community displayed by 610 WTVN and other media outlets is contributing to the sudden rise in Latinos being targeted by hate groups and other extremists.
Furthermore, the station's mockery of the immigrant community is in direct violation of the Clear Channel Creed, which in part states:
"We believe we have an obligation for the well-being of the communities in which we live. We further believe the future success of our communities and the industries where we do business is dependent upon the responsibility we feel, the high standards we set and the positive impact our actions have."
Mr. Dytko, such a disregard for the values of your company, namely the intrinsic value of the communities it serves, reflects poorly on your company and on those companies which choose to advertise with you.
To be clear, we plan to meet with these local companies to voice our concerns. Many of these businesses have a substantial Latino customer base.
It should also be noted that this promotion is not the product of one of the syndicated national shows, which frequently air on 610 WTVN. Our community sadly has become all too familiar with the hateful and otherwise offensive comments directed toward us on conservative talk radio. Clear Channel is clear that the views and opinions expressed on these shows are those of the radio personalities, and not necessarily those of Clear Channel or its affiliates. However, as is clearly stated in the promotion, this is a direct product of 610 WTVN.
We demand that 610 WTVN end this promotion immediately and publicly apologize.
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