WMUB Listener Feedback

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