Guest cfif Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/15/gay-rights-groups-protest-outside-news-channel-8/news-breaking/ Nearly 100 people picketed in front of WFLA News Channel 8 on Wednesday, opposing the station's decision to run a religious paid program they say contained hate speech against gays and lesbians. The one-hour program, "Speechless: Silencing Christians," aired on June 27, the same day as the St. Pete Pride parade. "It was a slap in the face of the gay pride movement," R. Zeke Fread, the director of Pride Tampa Bay, said at Wednesday's protest. "It was an hourlong attack on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people." [yt]8CxzaI1gLpk[/yt] Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTVNews 194 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Well, I think it is fine for them to air it. It was paid for. I think as long as they allow other groups who would like to buy some airtime, it's fine. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52186 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProButtonPusher 230 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The Following is a Paid Program. Views and Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of WFLA-TV or its management. No matter what you air, you're going to offend someone. I don't agree with what the program was saying, but they have the right to air whatever they want. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennTV1983 804 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The Following is a Paid Program. Views and Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of WFLA-TV or its management. Do some people even take that disclaimer seriously? Seriously?! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52189 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProButtonPusher 230 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 You make a valid point, but would a TV station HONESTLY accept any sort of programming if it were too extreme or they KNEW it would piss off viewers? It's a fine line. There's no way WFLA went in to this wanting to piss off the Gay and Lesbian community. The LAST thing they need is bad press. When I first saw the title, I thought the 100 who were protesting had just gotten fired by the station.. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jero23 105 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Well, I've always noticed that Media General has a slant on the more socially conservative end of the pendulum, so this is no surprise at all. All one has to do is look at the views that are published on the Tampa Tribune to know this. WFLA-TV threw themselves under the bus with this just chasing after the dollar, but I guess in these economy times anybody will "whore" themselves out for the almighty dollar. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 596 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Yeah, even though the AFA did pay, someone at WFLA had to know they would be criticized. There would be equal criticism if a LGBT rights group aired a program going against Christians. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 So if a neo-nazi group paid the $35,000 should they have their "views" on air???? What about the KKK? in a word, yes, their views should air - it is freedom of speech. We may disagree or not, but they do have a right to say it and pay for it. Cfif, you and I both know, FLA knows that fewer people would be pissed off by the rantings of an anti-gay group than the KKK or the neo-yahoos and they made a buck or two with it. Point being, people in support of gay rights, or any other cause for that matter, should get together the $$, pay FLA for the time and use it constructively to demonstrate how gay people are "regular" people who are morally, spiritually, and ethically sound as well, rather than protesting. Given FLA's ratings, who knows how many people actually saw the protest? A reciprocal informercial might reach more people than a short news bite. Now that FLA has presented one side, they could be pressured into presenting the other side. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que 73 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 You can't say anything, air anything, or even do anything without some how pissing off someone or some group. Like Nathan said, if this was a program airing against Christianity, there would be the same protest. People do have the right to free speech, but it appears you can't say your real thoughts of individuals because then it is considered hate? If the LGBT people don't like the message, then how about they make their own paid program and air it. (I am not against any groups here, just find it stupid in today's society where you can't really speak your mind on anything without some group finding offense to it) Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52206 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestbiteme 13 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Now that FLA has presented one side, they could be pressured into presenting the other side. Isn't this why television stations used to air editorials? "The editorial policy of WXXX-TV encourages the opportunity to present contrasting opinions..." I don't know how to take it. On one hand, I respect the freedom of speech argument. It's valid... but on the other hand, why should a station whose mission was supposed to be to "serve the community" air something like this? The sad thing is that this day and age, viewers vote with their remotes, and that counts less and less as the months go by. Sure, a station might try to woo people with a sensational story or slick graphics but rarely do they ever put a long-term policy in place, follow through and wait for the ratings to build. If it doesn't happen right now, it's not working. And then these stations turn to VNRs and paid program-length commercials to help them get by. I don't know. It's hard to find anyone with ethics or credibility. We all have our own biases and no matter the amount of training, those biases show through. I would like to say that if I ran WFLA, I wouldn't have run such a program. However, reverse the situation: I would probably run something that was sympathetic to LGBT issues-- not something anti-Christian or inflammatory but as was said, it's hard to tell how someone would take something-- and given the way most stations operate, who's to say anyone really even reviewed it? Or cared to? (Supposedly they did, but really?) I am totally with the people who protested WFLA. Hopefully it will help the station management to learn a little lesson about what they air. However, most of my choler is directed toward the organization that produced this material. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52208 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A3N 1002 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Is it a sheer coincidence that this paid program is aired in or around the time that many cities across the country are celebrating Pride weekend? These types of paid programming (commercials, etc), always seem to air when there is some major LGBT event going on (i.e. Prop 8 in California). Yes WFLA is within their right to air this paid program, but they should have either extended the opportunity to the LGBT community to come up with a counter program and then maybe run them side by side. They could have also had their GM and or ND make a statement before hand to alert the viewers of what was going to air instead of airing the generic viewer alert slide. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que 73 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 so basically it's free speech* with an asterisk. *if you can pay great then, maybe some holocaust deniers and pedophiles can team up for a documentary. They do, after all, have the right of free speech. Really? How many protest have happened through out the country? I am sure those have gotten far more attention than one single paid programming on a television station in Tampa. But if you didn't air this program, would you be restricting the supporters of the programs right to free speech? And what time did this program even air? If you don't like the material don't watch. But then again it is publicly going against the LGBT people. Every one has the right to free speech and every one has the right to protest. Don't like what the other people are saying, protest it. That is what we do now in America. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 596 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 A station which prides itself on "accuracy" should not be airing a prime-time documentary which, in part, extols "ex-gay" programs; which are almost universally considered to be crap. It's not the "ex-gay" program they promote because the effectiveness of that is your personal opinion, it's more because the AFA does what they do in a distasteful way. We're given free speech, but we're supposed to use the right responsibly (shouting "fire" in a crowded theater). I didn't see the program so I can't judge, but from what I get, WFLA could have decided not to air it because of the tone the program presents. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Isn't this why television stations used to air editorials? "The editorial policy of WXXX-TV encourages the opportunity to present contrasting opinions..." I don't know how to take it. On one hand, I respect the freedom of speech argument. It's valid... but on the other hand, why should a station whose mission was supposed to be to "serve the community" air something like this? The sad thing is that this day and age, viewers vote with their remotes, and that counts less and less as the months go by. Sure, a station might try to woo people with a sensational story or slick graphics but rarely do they ever put a long-term policy in place, follow through and wait for the ratings to build. If it doesn't happen right now, it's not working. And then these stations turn to VNRs and paid program-length commercials to help them get by. I don't know. It's hard to find anyone with ethics or credibility. We all have our own biases and no matter the amount of training, those biases show through. I would like to say that if I ran WFLA, I wouldn't have run such a program. However, reverse the situation: I would probably run something that was sympathetic to LGBT issues-- not something anti-Christian or inflammatory but as was said, it's hard to tell how someone would take something-- and given the way most stations operate, who's to say anyone really even reviewed it? Or cared to? (Supposedly they did, but really?) I am totally with the people who protested WFLA. Hopefully it will help the station management to learn a little lesson about what they air. However, most of my choler is directed toward the organization that produced this material. I agree with your points. They are well said as always. If I were to run FLA, I would not have chosen to run the program. But, MG and WFLA are both very HARD-UP for cash. - so it shows, they will air anything that pays them. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 517 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 What we see here is two extremes of free speech. One view of fears of accepting an alternative-lifestyles and one by the protesters having a 'H8' sign. However, on this issue, I am on the side of the protesters. I realize that money is money. And with TV stations and newspapers alike, the more they can get, the better for the bottom line. But, this is just another futile attempt by a right-wing ultra conservative Christian organization to spew hate speech. It makes me think why these people are afraid of embracing change and tolerance. Any person who endorses or perhaps watched this hour long fear-mongering show need to realize something VERY VERY simple: This is 2009. Not 1959. Get with the times. Why don't programming like this stay on religious stations?? Now, as for the station itself, I have a question. When stations are presented with programming opportunities, isn't there some type of question/answer/brainstorming session that is raised saying, "ah, this is too much of a hot-button issue. Perhaps we should say no." But sure, again, the point of money comes up. But if I were running a TV station, I rather not air it, then have a crowd of people at my station protesting something we ran. But also, if I didn't run it, I would have the ultra-religious/moral crowd, protesting. On second thought, looks like stations are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I think my conclusion to my point is this, we live in very very confusing times. You can't please everyone. As much as I think that the moral crowd's point is quickly being muted, and the independent spirit is rising in this nation. -- Matt Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsguy22 59 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 What we see here is two extremes of free speech. One view of fears of accepting an alternative-lifestyles and one by the protesters having a 'H8' sign. However, on this issue, I am on the side of the protesters. I realize that money is money. And with TV stations and newspapers alike, the more they can get, the better for the bottom line. But, this is just another futile attempt by a right-wing ultra conservative Christian organization to spew hate speech. It makes me think why these people are afraid of embracing change and tolerance. Any person who endorses or perhaps watched this hour long fear-mongering show need to realize something VERY VERY simple: This is 2009. Not 1959. Get with the times. Why don't programming like this stay on religious stations?? Now, as for the station itself, I have a question. When stations are presented with programming opportunities, isn't there some type of question/answer/brainstorming session that is raised saying, "ah, this is too much of a hot-button issue. Perhaps we should say no." But sure, again, the point of money comes up. But if I were running a TV station, I rather not air it, then have a crowd of people at my station protesting something we ran. But also, if I didn't run it, I would have the ultra-religious/moral crowd, protesting. On second thought, looks like stations are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I think my conclusion to my point is this, we live in very very confusing times. You can't please everyone. As much as I think that the moral crowd's point is quickly being muted, and the independent spirit is rising in this nation. -- Matt You hit the nail on the head. I haven't seen the program, so I can't judge, but you would think there would have been some sort of discussion about this with management. Looks like the money issue won out. Television stations do not have to air anything other than a required amount of educational programming. After that, it's up to the station. Stations DO have a responsibility to reflect their communities, be a responsible voice, and even dare I say, research the paid programming they air. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Does FLA still have that Viewers Voice segment where they "hold themselves accountable" to the viewer? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52263 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsguy22 59 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I don't think they do.... I'm sure the "viewers" would be supportive of this. Hillsborough County is especially supportive of hate groups! After all they did elect this cow. (Note Mrs. Storms lame attempt at a "Marcia" hairstyle. Not smoot at all.) I'm sure she's a big fan of Gayle Guyardo. Haha who or what is that?!? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52267 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsguy22 59 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Why, it's Ronda Storms, Tampa Bay's Favorite Politician! Book-banner and strip club fighter! She also doesn't like gay people too much. No wonder she has absolutely no style. I think I have heard of her before, in various circles. Even thing I've seen her screaming at people at commission meetings on an FLA story done by their big investigative guy. Steve, is it? Wow, maybe I shouldn't make Tampa my goal market. Figured it was a bit more progressive. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52270 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A3N 1002 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Wow, U-G-L-Y. She should call Kathy Fountain, ASAP for some beauty tips. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52271 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsguy22 59 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Thanks for the info man. Sorry to get the thread so off topic. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jero23 105 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Well, all I have to do is look at MG's trademark of foolishness on WVTM with the airing the 700 Club weekdays at noon when NBC wouldn't have dare aired that crap. Media General has an agenda and it is very obvious. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52289 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 596 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 700 Club airs on like, 4 places here... WAVY at 11am, WSKY, WHRE (TBN), ABC Family on cable. Not surprising since CBN is based in VA Beach... I don't think CBN is as bad as everyone puts it to be, it's just Pat Robertson who's a nut. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5584-nearly-100-people-protest-outside-of-wfla/#findComment-52297 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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