V103, Jody Watley Dispute Chicago Radio Incident

By Keith Boykin, in music
Wednesday, August 2 2006, 10:12AM

Jody WatleyA Chicago radio station that banned Jody Watley from talking about her performance at the Gay Games last month is responding with a new statement that explains what happened from its point of view. Angela Ingram, Vice President of Communications for Clear Channel Radio-Chicago, admitted that V103 asked Watley not to talk about the Gay Games during a July interview with Watley, but Clear Channel says the request was made because of time constraints, not in an effort to censor Watley.

Watley isn't buying it. When asked about the station's response, Watley replied "it doesn't make sense." She said the restriction was not presented to her as a time issue. "Being savvy and experienced, if I am given a limited time I can usually manage to get everything in," Watley said. "I have NEVER been told, 'Don't talk about this,' the way it was presented to me that day," she added.

Watley Responds to V103

After being forwarded the radio station's response, Watley sent me an email reply to the radio station's statement. "I was told specifically to not mention the Gay Games, simple as that..not because of time limitations. Again, being a veteran artist, I know stations are on schedules because they have to get the advertising in..etc."

Watley noted that the DJ , Herb Kent, never mentioned the issue of time. "The DJ even said 'he didn't understand why' but that's what he was told. I didn't agree, but respected their request at that moment and appreciated that I was still being afforded the opportunity to promote my "The Makeover' and in-store at Virgin, though the station doesn't have my music in rotation. I proceeded as a professional, though I was still stunned, as I have said. I imagine I could have kept the incident to myself, but in light of the city of Chicago being so clearly in support of the Gay Games, after leaving the station, I further reflected how sad it was that this happened. I stand by my story."

Watley suggested that the radio station's statement was "intended to take the 'heat' off of the controversy." Clear Channel received a number of phone calls following the reports of the incident, according to news reports. Clearly, those phone calls and complaints are the only reason why Clear Channel is responding to this issue, but its response makes no sense. In fact, it's insulting to the public's intelligence.

If the station had such a limited amount of time for the interview, why would they choose to focus that limited time on a small event instead of the big event that was the primary purpose of Watley's presence in Chicago? And if time constraints were the issue, why didn't the station explain that to Watley at the time of the interview? Even the DJ seemed to think it was not a time issue. Clear Channel said that the station wanted to focus primarily on Watley's music, but why would they want to focus on the music if the station doesn't even play her music in its rotation? Like I said, it makes no sense.

Clear Channel Says It Was All A Misunderstanding

Clear Channel's Ingram suggested that the censorship was not about homophobia because V103 had discussed the Gay Games during afternoon-drive time with call-in segments and other interviews throughout the week leading-up to the opening ceremonies. Those statements may or may not be true, but they don't prove that homophobia was not the issue here.

The mere fact that the Games were discussed on air doesn't mean they were discussed positively. I've done interviews on enough black radio stations over the years to know that any positive mention of the word "gay" often encourages dozens of angry Bible-toting pseudo-Christians to call in and complain. So even if the Gay Games had been discussed on air previously, that doesn't mean the station executives didn't decide to pull the plug on further conversation so the station might not get a reputation that could alienate its anti-gay listeners.

I'm tired of all the cover-ups. When will PR people learn to apologize for their mistakes instead of stonewalling and spinning all the time? Haven't we learned anything from Mel Gibson, George Bush, or the tobacco industry? When you're caught, it's better just to come clean than to throw out implausible stories that compromise your integrity.

Comments (15) reveal

Comments conceal

Bernie[TypeKey Profile Page]
August 2 2006, 10:48AM

Ahhh, they're at it again. Those PR types. "Spinning" themselves into a whirl of lies and deceit. Do they really think we are that stupid? Do they think we are gullible fools so naive as to accept their BS excuses as truth? And to her credit, Jody Watley has refuted them. So who are we going to believe?

Maybe people should be encouraged to stop listening to that station and a letter writing campaign should be directed at their biggest advertisers letting them know they have a community of listeners that doesn't approve of how they cow-tow to homophobia.

mickevwms
August 2 2006, 11:45AM

Forcing businesses and organizations (such as, radio stations, and such) to take a "you better get gay friendly, or else" approach(to me) is not the answer....

Harry Frazier
August 2 2006, 1:24PM

Well, I think its going to keep happening for one reason....for the most part people en mass are stupid and do fall for it. they'll take Clear Channels response at face value and swallow it whole. How you think these idiots here in DC at Capital Hill got voted in...not be smart people.

Keith and other readers,

While on radio topic: If you listen to the Steve Harvey radio show he has "person" Eugene on (whether he is a real person is unclear or a character). But Eugene is a steriotype of a gay man, figer poppin, lip smackin, sas talked, gay black man. The problem is and maybe its just me but I find him offensive because he is so steriotyped and the Steve and his nephew slighly berate him constantly. I challenge those to listen if you have not before and I'd like to hear if others find him offensive

chris-leo
August 2 2006, 1:52PM

mickevums??

it most certainly is the answer - at least one of them. organized bigots and individuals out there telling these same businesses, "you better get gay UNFRIENDLY, or else." apparently it works when they do it, and it's been known to work when we do it.

Mike Prov1
August 2 2006, 2:39PM

One market segment that every radio station wants is youth (18-34.) The young have far different attitudes towards homophobia than the over-50 market. The fact that this station is finding itself having to "spin" is an indication that the word is out and the complaints have been effective. Bravo to Jody Watley for sticking to her guns.

Don't wait for the "right time." The time is now.

Liquid Fonts
August 2 2006, 6:30PM

Harry, I've heard that gay character with the voice on the Steve Harvey show and it is obviously for str8 black folk who want to kickback and have some laughs at some gay steretypes, but if you question them as to why its funny, then they want to make you out to be overly sensitive and whinny or political, I actually believe the folks at Steve Harvey show think that this characters presence is evidence of inclusion.

rpcjr
August 2 2006, 6:38PM

i don't see how anyone can attach the word integrity to anything that big business (i.e. Clear Channel) is or does. they clearly have an agenda to make the most money, irregardless of any ethical dilemma. all the shucking and diving is (as usual) a response to someone calculating lost dollars and nothing else. i'm still baffled as to why they would not let Jody discuss the Gay Games.

Mark Norris
August 2 2006, 8:25PM

Liquid Fonts: That is a sad state of where we are as black people if that is true that they think it is inclusion. Kinda like the old Mammy's and Amos N' Andy skits that made White folks feel like they included us back then. I say let's be overly sensitive, whinny and political.

Bernie[TypeKey Profile Page]
August 2 2006, 9:43PM

mickevwms, what do you think the Montgomery bus boycott was all about?

"Treat us with respect or we'll withhold our money."

Works EVERY TIME! The only thing businesses really fear is the loss of money.

sharif
August 2 2006, 10:06PM

I applaud Jody Watley for handling this matter so classy,when told she couldn't talk about performing in the gay games, she did not nut up and went off like I would have, she still did the interview and spoke about the incident afterwards to the fans and media, which by it self can fix the situation, radio station V103 does not realize the number of gay, lesibans and bisexuals that listen to them and if all of a sudden their ratings plunge down they have no one to blame but themselves. Thanks Jody Watley for your supporting our community, it is entertainers like you and Raz B. that help open doors for our community.

Jeff S.
August 2 2006, 11:38PM

People actually listen to Steve Harvey?

j. brotherlove[TypeKey Profile Page]
August 3 2006, 5:10AM

Lawd... Herb Kent is still on the radio?

Blue
August 3 2006, 12:50PM

Tom Joyner's show is just as bad, if not worse. They say more ignorant stuff on there than a little bit. You should have heard the things they were saying after Kanye West spoke up about homophobia. Just plain ignorant. That's why I can't be around too many straight black folks at once. Uck.

Mervin Malone Jr.
August 3 2006, 2:57PM

Homophobia in the black community (and in traditionally "urban" media markets) is a sad reality. Indeed, it boggles the mind as to why blacks -- long victims themselves (ourselves)-- would buy into something as base and self-destructive as homophobia.

I applaud Ms. Watley for the social and artistic heroine she's always been, and Keith Boykin for keeping us informed.

Bernard
August 4 2007, 11:39PM

I'm so tired of the shove it down our throat with the this Gay life style shit. That stuff should be left behind closed doors.


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