kcrw gone mad.

heard about the firing of sandra tsing loh via not martha today and i just had to write to my (formerly) beloved kcrw and find out just what the dillio was.

well, this gm sure has crafted a strongly-worded letter regarding the whole matter, hasn't she? this world is getting scarier and scarier and scarier. i really want to live in a place that people are not so freakin' freaked out by a nipple (with or without shield) or the word "f.u.c.k." can't we just lighten up just a tad?

there are some things in life that you go to the wall for. the right to use obscene or indecent language on the radio is not one of them.

the loh life feature that caused kcrw to cancel sandra tsing loh's program uses this language in an intentional and unambiguous way. moreover, it was presented in a context that shocked and offended listeners who phoned, wrote and e-mailed the station after the broadcast.

this language violates kcrw's policy on offensive language. it could endanger the station's license and/or result in heavy fines.

in the wake of recent events, is there a radio or tv programmer today who is not aware of the serious risks involved?

kcrw is original, idiosyncratic and adventurous. it is also realistic and grown-up. we know access to the airwaves is both a privilege and a responsibility.

the station has fostered an independent, free-thinking spirit that pervades its influential public affairs and cultural programming and its trend-setting music broadcasts.

these programs and that spirit are far too important to put the station at risk over a crude four-letter word.

sincerely yours,

ruth seymour
kcrw general manager