Apology over U.S. anti-cyclist campaign
Fri Nov 7,12:32 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Clear Channel Communications, America's largest radio group, has apologised to bicyclists to end a controversy caused by disc jockeys at three of its stations who urged listeners to run cyclists off the road and throw bottles at them.
The apology came in a letter from Clear Channel Radio Chief Executive Hohn Hogan to Elissa Margolin, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists that was released by the organisation on Thursday.
In his letter, Hogan said that disciplinary action was taken at all three stations involved in the controversy and that one staff member had been fired. He also said Clear Channel would launch a campaign to promote road safety.
"The comments made by Clear Channel Radio Stations in Cleveland, Houston and Raleigh (North Carolina) were inappropriate and intolerable," Hogan said in the letter. "I do not support and condone the anti-cyclists messages and have taken steps to insure they do not occur again."
Margolin and Hogan met on Wednesday at Clear Channel's San Antonio, Texas headquarters, the organisation said.
In separate and apparently unrelated incidents, morning disc jockeys at Clear Channel-owned stations in Cleveland, Houston and Raleigh, North Carolina, had urged motorists to harass cyclists.
The broadcasts included suggestions that listeners slam on their brakes in front of cyclists and then open the passenger door or throw soft drink bottles at riders, according to listeners who complained.
The League of American Bicyclists told the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) at a meeting in October that the comments broadcast by the radio stations amounted to inciting listeners to commit felonious assault.
But the organisation and two other cycling organisations -- America Bikes and Thunderhead Alliance -- said on Thursday they were pleased with the action that Clear Channel had taken in response to the outcry.
The company, which owns over 1,200 radio stations, has also been something of a lightning rod in the debate over U.S. media consolidation.
Clear Channel revealed in July that it was the target of a Department of Justice (news - web sites) investigation into whether it had abused its market position to shut out competitors.
"your horse is too high" - tigerchik
Fri Nov 7,12:32 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Clear Channel Communications, America's largest radio group, has apologised to bicyclists to end a controversy caused by disc jockeys at three of its stations who urged listeners to run cyclists off the road and throw bottles at them.
The apology came in a letter from Clear Channel Radio Chief Executive Hohn Hogan to Elissa Margolin, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists that was released by the organisation on Thursday.
In his letter, Hogan said that disciplinary action was taken at all three stations involved in the controversy and that one staff member had been fired. He also said Clear Channel would launch a campaign to promote road safety.
"The comments made by Clear Channel Radio Stations in Cleveland, Houston and Raleigh (North Carolina) were inappropriate and intolerable," Hogan said in the letter. "I do not support and condone the anti-cyclists messages and have taken steps to insure they do not occur again."
Margolin and Hogan met on Wednesday at Clear Channel's San Antonio, Texas headquarters, the organisation said.
In separate and apparently unrelated incidents, morning disc jockeys at Clear Channel-owned stations in Cleveland, Houston and Raleigh, North Carolina, had urged motorists to harass cyclists.
The broadcasts included suggestions that listeners slam on their brakes in front of cyclists and then open the passenger door or throw soft drink bottles at riders, according to listeners who complained.
The League of American Bicyclists told the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) at a meeting in October that the comments broadcast by the radio stations amounted to inciting listeners to commit felonious assault.
But the organisation and two other cycling organisations -- America Bikes and Thunderhead Alliance -- said on Thursday they were pleased with the action that Clear Channel had taken in response to the outcry.
The company, which owns over 1,200 radio stations, has also been something of a lightning rod in the debate over U.S. media consolidation.
Clear Channel revealed in July that it was the target of a Department of Justice (news - web sites) investigation into whether it had abused its market position to shut out competitors.
"your horse is too high" - tigerchik