Oh, Oh, Oh, On the Radio!
"I was so surprised and shocked, and I wondered, too....If by chance you heard it for yourself...I never told a soul just how I've been feeling about you...But they said it really loud...They said it on the air...On the radio"
Good for Josh Molina for reporting on the latest travis-ty...my favorite topic has really done it this time with a policy that keeps local leaders from supporting non-profits. What's up with that?
Mayor Blum and Supervisor Rose have an excellent point that we brought up last September -- in questioning the relationship between the News-Press and their sister radio station that really is only a sister station based on a contract to run the place. I think Mayor Blum is right in wondering out loud whether the FCC should look at this.
I wish I hadn't announced a quote of the week so early -- this one from Council Member Falcone was one for the record books. I like how she said a lot but really didn't say anything at all. Does she really not have "firsthand knowledge" of the dispute? Does she and Armstrong never talk about the Mayor and Supervisor Rose? I'd be really surprised if they don't...here's the quote:
Good for Josh Molina for reporting on the latest travis-ty...my favorite topic has really done it this time with a policy that keeps local leaders from supporting non-profits. What's up with that?
Mayor Blum and Supervisor Rose have an excellent point that we brought up last September -- in questioning the relationship between the News-Press and their sister radio station that really is only a sister station based on a contract to run the place. I think Mayor Blum is right in wondering out loud whether the FCC should look at this.
I wish I hadn't announced a quote of the week so early -- this one from Council Member Falcone was one for the record books. I like how she said a lot but really didn't say anything at all. Does she really not have "firsthand knowledge" of the dispute? Does she and Armstrong never talk about the Mayor and Supervisor Rose? I'd be really surprised if they don't...here's the quote:
Councilwoman Iya Falcone, who has been strongly supported by the editorial page, said she had "no firsthand knowledge" of the dispute, adding that "it would be wonderful for the community if the parties could work out their differences."
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 4/27/2006 05:00:00 AM
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39 Comments:
This report makes clear with no doubt that the News-Press owner or management, as delegated to ONE PERSON has full control over the content of the KCSB-AM radio station. That same ONE PERSON also writes the editorials for the same newspaper.
Thus, the newspaper owner controls the entire content of this radio station programming. Did that cross the line with Federal rules? Molina obviously will continue to pursue that and I am sure has a good back-story of what the FCC staffer would not say during the interview and why.
A ruling if not fine by FCC against the News-Press owner will make that state Coastal Commission action against her seem trivial.
Sad that the news reporter, Josh Molina, had to write in his article specifically that the news department "operates separately and independently" of the editorial department. This need to state the obvious, as news editor Jerry Roberts has to do often in his occasional column, is a symptom of how chilling the climate at News-Press really must be. The Independent Angry Poodle poked fun at that a few months ago.
The goofy editorial yesterday by, yes, Mr. FACTSWRONG, now is explained with all the salient details revealed in the actual news article today. Gross omission indeed is FACTSWRONG.
Very weird is the quote in the fourth-to-last paragraph of the news article, where FACTSWRONG says that he banned Marty Blum from the recent show about non-profit organizatins because Blum declined to appear on his show last election night in early Nov. 2005. That contradicts the reporting in that same paragraph thath indicates the purpose for banning a politico is to prevent too many appearances and self-promotion. Such a purpose sort of makes sense, but Blum has NOT been on any of these radio shows, so the "policy" really does not apply here.
FACTSWRONG just does not like Blum and Rose because they do not placate him or kiss his arse. Everything else is puff and spin.
Marty Blum and Travis Armstrong at it again -- and Marty automatically defended by Sara -- same ole, same ole...
Sara---I agree with your and Valerio's post above;
But puzzled and disappointed by your interjection of Iya's quote and your over the top assesment of it in this debate; why create or add fuel to what many perceive as Travis' obsession with interpersonal relations among female officeholders? and your comment about what "she and armstrong talk about" kind of feeds into the N-P ed page dysfunction. I happen to know that a few other Councilpersons have been seen bending Travis' ear of late--so what? innuendo is the business of Travis FACTSWRONG, but not here, i would hope.
mistype from the first comment:
That is KZSB-AM radio station, the News-Press radio station now revealed bo be controlled by one person.
I mistyped it as "KCSB" because I was thinking of all the other local radio stations that actually do include local news, such as KTMS (990 AM) and KCSB (91.9 FM). KEYT (1250 AM) went defunct for local content a year ago but was good at local news, especially in the heyday with Jerry Cornfield Show.
Upon re-reading the original Molina news article today, this all is even more bizzare (see the headline on the jump) in that the apparent "policy" is that a guest on any of their radio shows (KZSB-AM 1290) first must kiss the ring of Travis Arm(facts)wrong.
Is Travis such a prima donna that on election night (Nov.2005) he could not get out on the mean streets of downtown Santa Barbara (centered around State and A) and actually find the candidates for an interview?
Marty Blum was at Nu restaurant for hours that night, making speeches, holding court, and conducting several news media interviews for print, TV, and radio.
Although an investigation would be interesting by FCC or some kind of legal ruling about the conflicts when a local dominant daily newspaper also controls the content of a local radio news station, a better way to deal with it all is simply NOT to listen to KZSB, the News-Press radio station. Try KTMS or KCSB instead, and many others.
Marty and Susan have acted like royalty their entire political careers. They ignore the wishes of the "little people" and pursue their own narrow agendas. They continuously make bad decisions, yet have a sea of apologists who are oh-so willing to cover for them.
Thank goodness the peasants have an ally in Travis. He reminds our elected officals that they work for the citizens who elect them. Kudos to Travis for taking a tough stand...even in the face of undue criticism.
Looks like Travis the editorialist is getting his Karmic Retribution back at him. How will he spin his way out of this one? I suppose that sells more newspapers for the Sunday edition.
Do not see how the quote by Falcone is relevant, though. No conspiracy there. What is so hard to believe that she actually did not know anything about this except for what she read in the email from Blum to the other city council members? Thus, no "firsthand knowledge" by Falcone. The rest of the quote about "wonderful for the community" is pure Iya, though, grinning as she twists the knife.
valerio, you referenced Travis' editorial yesterday as a "news article." It is anything but news, which would indicate a certain amount of journalistic integrity, which he clearly lacks. As is ALWAYS the case, he is merely writing opinion.
per "Anonymous" at 9:32 (just make up a name, would you?):
No, every time I wrote "article" I was referencing the news article by Molina published today, April 27.
The "editorial" or opinion by Travis Armstrong was published the day before. And that editorias indeed was weird with vague and obtuse references about what Blum really did or did not do.
I soon hope to read another editorial explaining why elected officials who want to be the guest on a public-service radio show about and hosted by local nonprofit organizations first must appear on the Travis show to be criticized and ambushed in real time and in person, as a continuation of the whining complaints that appeared previously on the editorial pages. Where is the public service there? Travis personally and directly is censoring the public-service discourse by his unilateral veto of the content of those other radio shows.
So when will the comments here start claiming how it is all the fault of Susan Rose, how The Guzz will save the neighborhoods, how Das has the Big Ideas, and how Janet Wolf is strong and indeed will beat Secord?
My earlier comment with this:
"Very weird is the quote in the fourth-to-last paragraph of the news article, where FACTSWRONG says that he banned Marty Blum from the recent show about non-profit organizatins because Blum declined to appear on his show last election night in early Nov. 2005."
means that the news ARTICLE included reporting about, and a quote by, the editorialist of the same newspaper, and an analysis (per my note "FACTSWRONG says") of the inconsistency in logic of what that editorialst said, in an interview, about his reasons for banning Blum and Rose from any show on that radio station.
It's CRAZY MAN: The news reporter on the City beat doing an analysis and defacto criticism of the editorialist and Golden Boy of the same newspaper's private owner. Molina has some big brass ones today!
Will Church and State there at NewsPress really have a Wall of separation?
Yesterday's News-Press editorial was stunning ... in its level of mean-spirited personal attack. Disappointing because I've liked many of their stands and strongly appreciate that a paper should be in opposition, should be a watchdog of government.
I've wondered for a long time why the vindictiveness against the mayor. Unbelievable the personal level of the attacks. One can disagree with some of her votes or her statements, that's the process, but if all the paper can come up with is in yesterday's editorial, well, I think we've got a good and responsive and responsible mayor!
One point I know a little about. The editorial went on about "government e-mail for campaigning." The last election I ran a campaign signs blog to which people sent in photos of misplaced/illegally placed signs. I then reported to the various campaigns. Of the three incumbents, Roger Horton never responded by e-mail at all; Iya Falcone always responded using her city e-mail account; Marty Blum responded consistently using her campaign account.
I saw no big deal in this, which e-mail account was used, but that the paper goes on so about it makes me wonder about the rest of the editorial.
I would agree with Ms. Falcone and Mr. Barnwell that it is to the community's benefit to get this out of the way, and as Brian said, for the mayor to have a radio forum for public issues. Maybe there are other community radio stations for the Hutton Foundation to put on its program?
Sara,
Must any dispute, including this current idiotic one between Travis and Marty, include you placing Iya Falcone front and center? As long as Marty breathes she will remain the champion of "said a lot but really didn't say anything at all."
Valerio,
You really need to find something to do with yourself.
Here's my made up name,
Chino de Gillespie
Yeah, let's get the FCC to come to town and set up shop. Why don't we get a kindergarten teacher instead? This sandbox style dispute is really more in their arena don't you think? There indeed is a "rotten smell at De La Guerra Plaza" and its coming from about every office in the area, including Madam Mayor's. Grow up, have a meeting, see a shrink, hire a witch doctor but, please, will all parties stop this nonsense. There is a community out there that is sick and tired of all of you.
Sick and Tired at City Hall
Sorry, I don't buy the argument that everybody is acting childish. Blum is standing up to a bully who can't seem to win the debate with ideas, so he takes unfair advantage by using every advantage and half-truth he can stick in his column. Armstrong's stance on the radio show is so weak that he couldn't even come out with it in his editorial yesterday.
Instead, we had to read (for at least the third time I can remember) an editorial calling Blum unethical because she returned a campaign donation to SCE and because she reimbursed SCE for tickets and refreshments. Oh yeah, she also used her office e-mail (twice, by Armstrong's count) for a campaign-related activity. Not only don't I see these as activities worthy of a public condemnation in multiple editorials, I also don't think her objection to being removed by Armstrong from the radio show qualifes her as a communist.
Armstrong get more desperate and hurls more one-sided garbage at his opponents. We're at the point now with these recent comments where Joe McCarthy comparisons are brought to mind.
This is not Armstrong sticking up for the little guy. These are plain mean-sprited, vindictive attempts to defame opponents. Can one of you Armstrong defenders defend his column yesterday or his decision about the radio show? When your own newspaper makes you look like you're over the edge, something is seriously wrong.
All comments must be approved by the blog author.
All political guests must be approved by Travis.
All guests on the Tonight Show must be approved by Jay Leno.
What universe is the mayor living in that she claims access to any media her right of office? Please!
Anonymous 3:24:
First of all, unlike Jay Leno, it was not his show. He wasn't on the show and he doesn't own the station. The mayor didn't claim anything; she was asked to be on the show, "Community Matters", by two non-profit organizations who were trying to put on a broadcast in the public interest.
Secondly, I asked whether anyone could defend Armstrong's position. You did nothing to defend it. It seems Armstrong has the power (at least for now) to veto any guest on any show on that station. Just what Santa Barbara needs--prohibiting the Mayor and a Supervisor from speaking about a public interest matter by a political opponent who has no connection to the show itself. There are good reasons to prohibit monopolies on information sources. Perhaps the News-Press can next buy KEYT and prohibit the Mayor from ever being seen on local television. Armstrong may have been right. There might be communist issues here. He's just looking in the wrong direction.
I ask again: can any supporter of Armstrong defend his action?
Das could be the middle person on this issue. he has an abilty to bring people togther.
Oh, 534, put down the kool-aid.......you must be od'ing...
Das Williams has been the most divisive force in this election...starting with his entry into the contest only two years into his first term on City Council. His nervous energy is nothing more than a distraction to the adults. Anon 5:34, you are not living in reality.
And Das can fly and leap buildings and sometimes he is mistaken for God. Maybe he is God. Wow.
Let's put some comments that are a little more substantive please? with a little less acrimony....
So my closing rhetorical query at the end of the entry at 10:44am was met about 6 hours later by the very drivel I anticipated, via the Anonymous entry at 5:34pm.
Just start quoting the Little Red Book of Chairman Mao; it is just as specific and applicable. And what is the "middle person" in this attack by the editorialist on the Mayor, and what need to bring people together?
And then the frothy "Bill Carson" takes the bait an hour later.
One more time, the issue is about the local newspaper having complete control of the content of a local AM radio station, all with possible violations of Federal regulations about monopoly of a local media market.
Oh my - oh my -
News-Press publisher steps down
The radio station policy is " if you don't talk to us when we want you to, you're banned...banned!!" Real mature, Wendy. Now that Cole is gone, she and Art will be publishers! What is the biggest joke in SB? THE NEWSPRESS..how sad
Valerio,
Call the FCC. Do you really think that disinviting "Have shears , will cut Ribbon Marty" constitutes a monopoly on local media. Do you think the News Press might have had a lawyer or two check this out before purchasing the station? Get a grip, maybe take some time off, go steelhead fishing.
Chino de Gillespie
Yes, and Clear Channel and another big faraway corp. contol nearly every other nonpublic channel. That's the outrage. Why nothing on this situation! The News-Press has brought BACK local programming when we had none before. What does exist now on anoher station is IN REACTION to the News-Press station. We should thank the NP.
O.K. Valerio, this "froth's" for you. The station policy to prevent Marty and Susan from appearing on KEYT radio is completely justified.
Why should anyone, including elected officials, assume that they can use a radio station anytime they wish as a one-way tool to discuss their pet agenda? Marty and Susan are unwilling to face the heat on the Travis Armstrong Show, but are oh so willing to spin packaged PR on some softball show where they know they will wind up "looking good". Monologue is OK, but dialogue is not?
The KEYT radio policy is designed to prevent people like Marty and Susan from getting free air time to pursue a packaged agenda. The policy ensures a balance by requiring them to engage in a two-way discussion of the real issues on the Armstrong show.
The bigger question in all this is why Marty and Susan are so unwilling to have a face-off with Travis. These are elected officials people. They should be ready, willing and able to justify everything they do to anyone who asks. If they can't defend their actions one-on-one with Travis, then maybe his criticism is accurate!
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the host of the show Marty was going to appear on was Harriet Miller. Travis needn't have banned her, she probably didn't relish going on with Harriet and Travis did her an ill advised favor. Badly handled on all sides. I agree with Mr Carson though, why do they think they deserve a free pass? Isn't the platform they have as an elected official enough?
Das is a uniter. People like Bill Carson only oppose him because they support Joe the dispatcher. Carson, get used to saying Supervisor Williams!
I find some of these comments amazing. You talking about a newspaper editor with a political vendetta against certain elected politicians. He smears these elected officials regularly in his editorials with innuendo, half-truths, and personal insults.
You believe he has the right to disallow their comments in the city's only daily newspaper, filter their comments when he allows them in the paper, and control when they are allowed to speak on a radio station.
Newspapers are supposed to provide information and you'd hope they would foster debate on issues affecting the community. What is it that you people are afriad of hearing from Blum or Capps or Rose? Are their arguments so strong that you or the News Press can't refute them in an honest exchange of ideas? Does an organization with enough money to buy up media outlets have the right to stifle the voices of people who were elected by a majority of voters? After buying up the local TV channel and prohibiting their appearances, maybe the News-Press can also buy up anything they have ever written and burn it.
Do you have a basic understanding of how and why a democracy works? Wake up.
"face-off" and "free pass"?!?!?
So a guest of a show first has to appear on one with a hostile, selective-facts, and antogonistic host, with a political rival sidekick, BEFORE she or he can appear on a different show with hosts actually glad to have that same guest?
Of course, the point still is that the host of the Community Matters show on topics of public affairs, housing policies, and local nonprofit organizations somehow becomes irrelevant, and this somehow has all become about the guests of the shows instead, not the hosts or subjects.
What do we have here...20 or so local radio and cable outlets? Everytime I flip channels on either I see Marty's smiling face, usually cutting a ribbon. She can also call Molina over to her office any old time to say whatever comes to her mind. Now she's "unfairly" not being given access to her constituants and thinks the FCC should give her a free pass? It's called Marty logic. Gimme a break.
The issue isn't Marty logic or Rose logic. The issue is that an organization with money is determining who will be heard in several mass media outlets: newspaper and now radio. Maybe you don't find this troubling because you don't agree with the Mayor's politics, but that is very shortsighted. You've heard of equal time regulations for political campaigns? The News Press is on a continuous campaign against specific people, and they don't get any equal time.
I'd prefer to hear from the individuals and make up my own mind. You should too. There aren't nearly as many local radio and cable outlets as you say, and there's only one daily newspaper. And that paper's already decided that people it doesn't like will not be heard, even if they have been elected by a majority of the voters.
About 25 radio stations transmit into the South Coast; with 12 locally based -- 7 of those owned by Clear Channel. That's for radio alone.
There's more than one daily.
And a fair number of weeklies and monthlys and mags.
And the blogs...and other internet.
John, I'll leave it to you to count cable ...
and, please, get with it, it's not like the mayor is being cut off from her subjects.
john, I agree. That is why Travis invited both of them on.
Marty and Susan each have THEIR own cable channel at their disposal any time they want.
Meanwhile...as we bicker over whether or not Marty and Susan are getting a fair shake, Travis has written a couple of pieces revealing the findings of the audit on the county's affordable housing program. Take a look at today's paper (Sunday, April 30). The cry for affordable housing is the pro-development mantra, and yet, the county doesn't even have control over the current inventory that it is supposed to be managing.
THANK YOU TRAVIS for bringing these important facts to light.
Susan and Marty have plenty of avenues and funding for public outreach. If AM 1290 does not want to support Susan's propaganda, then I must say that I am quite thankful for that as well.
wait a sec. the above poster is saying roberts as vp of news is in chrage of supplying program content to the radio, but then there's a complaint that Travis also involved in programming ????
News-Press news editor Jerry Roberts has nothing to do with the radio station. He successfully deflected attempts for the newspaper reporters to spend more uncompensated time to provide content for the radio show, which indeed would be more work for the reporters and take away from their reporting and writing.
Check out today's rant: http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=OPINIONS-LETTERS&ID=564728547428663411
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