WMUB Listener Feedback

WMUB General Manager Cleve Callison writes:

Recent Friday Feedback comments by WMUB graduate assistant Xu Zhonghua and a reaction from listener Richard Carlson have sparked several emails to WMUB, sampled below. Some took issue with Mr. Carlson's views; others took issue with WMUB's decision to air them, and call for an apology. We have printed some of the critical messages, principally those where it appears the writer actually heard the comments on the air. [MP3 files are available for Xu Zhonghua's commentary and Richard Carlson's response.]

For the record: we have greatly enjoyed working with Xu Zhongua and have learned much from him during his work here for the past two years. We have learned about China, and about how Americans think about it. In addition we have learned about our own society as well. He is a fine young citizen of the world. I believe that Americans who value freedom of expression and honest dialogue will welcome, as we do, the expression of his views, whether positive or negative, about the U.S. Mr. Carlson is likewise free to express his views. And just as he was critical of Xu Zhonghua, he should expect that others will be critical of him.

Is this a First Amendment issue? In my view, no, because the First Amendment does not guarantee that every viewpoint will be heard when the speaker demands. Indeed, the letter writers are correct that WMUB has a legal and moral obligation to exercise our own First Amendment editorial judgment in deciding whether to run any given listener comment, or how much of it to run. But it is very much a public service for us to provide a forum for the exchange, sometimes the vehement exchange, of differing views.

Despite threats of financial retaliation, I believe that we have a public service obligation to err on the side of open dialogue. So that argues for airing Mr. Carlson's views. As one of our letters below puts it, "only with the most serious reflection should we move to censor or sterilize communications among ourselves."

I also can't agree with those who suggest that the more strongly-worded of Mr. Carlson's comments should have been deleted. To do so might remove a context listeners need to evaluate his views.

Thank you. Feel free to disagree, and let us know, by writing to us.

I am a contributing member of your station. I was very disappointed to hear the reply aired this past [Fri]day morning. A fellow from West Alexandria was commenting on a commentary done recently by your station reporter from China. I have no objection to listeners voicing opinions on commentaries. My objection pertains to this listener telling your reporter to go back to China and take all of his Chinese friends with him. In essence, I took that statement to say "You and your kind are not welcome here." From my view as an American citizen I am writing to say your station reporter is welcome to stay as long as he wishes. I have enjoyed listening to his reflections on this country. Just because someone voices an opinion unlike(or diametrically opposed) to your own does not give you the right, fellow listener from West Alexandria, to ask our guest to leave.

As for WMUB' decision to air the commentary reply I have a few thoughts. As journalists you were in a difficult position. In deciding in favor of its airing you did not censor this listener's comments. However, what is your policy about what is known as "hate speech"? What is the criteria that you use to determine when something falls in that category? From my view the West Alexandria listener did cross the line and engaged in remarks that encourage exclusion and hatred of Chinese people. I find that completely unacceptable.

--S.C., Oxford

I regret that my first communication with you since becoming a member has to be a complaint. However I was offended and somewhat shocked by a listener comment I heard this morning. It was aimed at a student intern at the station. It did not really respond to the intern's earlier commentary but instead was a xenophobic and personal attack on the student and all Chinese people. I believe strongly in the open exchange of ideas but feel inflammatory speech ultimately stifles the free and open exchange of ideas. By summarizing and reading relevant portions of the listener comment you could have presented his position in a way that would open debate rather then offend and polarize. I have only lived in the Oxford area for a few months but feel that our community is really above such hate speech. I look forward to hearing an on-air apology from the station to the intern and your listeners.

--D.P.

I merely wanted to make an observation. I'm on the staff at Miami U. I'm aware that one or more persons are encouraging folks to protest statements made by a caller regarding a commentary aired by WMUB. I've seen the email that's being routed, the email encouraging folks to complain to WMUB. I believe the email "demands" that WMUB air an apology.

Please do not hastily submit to such demands. Freedom of speech is so very important. If the caller who made the reputedly objectionable remarks revealed his or her prejudices, perhaps revealed his or her irrationality or ignorance, so be it: only with the most serious reflection should we move to censor or sterilize communications among ourselves.

--anon., Miami University

My husband ... and I are long-time listeners and members of WMUB. Therefore, we were particularly appalled to hear the xenophobic rant against your Chinese intern this morning (5/7). While you may need to respond to or consider all sides of an issue, there was no reason to air this caller's views, and certainly not in their entirety.

While I realize that listeners' comments often do not reflect views of the station, by airing this type of racist diatribe you give it legitimacy and credence.

Please apologize to your intern on our behalf and on the behalf of the rest of the listening audience who in no way agree with the views aired this morning. He is doing a great job and we appreciate his willingness to contribute to our country and community, despite what others may say.

--S.H, Miami University

I am an avid listener of WMUB and was made aware today that there were xenophobic comments directed toward an intern at the station while conducting an on-air discussion. I am curious to know how the station intends to go about making the necessary apologies?

--J.C., Miami University

I am a contributing member of WMUB and frankly, if you hadn't charged my credit card last month [for my pledge], I would consider revoking my contribution.

This morning WMUB aired a LONG message from a listener who was responding critically to a commentary by a WMUB intern/Miami grad student from China. The listener escalated to a series of insults, ultimately instructing the MUB intern to:

"Go back to China and take your Chinese friends with you."

There is no reason WMUB had to run this listener's comments in their entirety, thereby providing a platform for xenophobic hate-mongering.

I really think OUR radio station should provide:

a) an immediate on-air apology to both the intern and listeners
b) an on-air commitment to refrain from offering a venue for racist, xenophobic, and other hate speech in the future.

--A.S., Miami University