posted May 24, 2007
I am very disturbed by what I heard on WGOW Talk Radio this morning. Rather than wait for facts to be disseminated by authorized sources, The station allowed rumor and speculation to take the place of truth and create a frenzy not unlike the torch-carrying locals in the old Frankenstein films.
The tragedy of this horrific accident is only added to by this irresponsible broadcasting and I fault the rumor-mongering callers and to some degree the station.
I don't think anyone would call Talk Radio any form of "journalism," but it seems the station should bear some responsibility to bridle rumor and innuendo and await the truth. As the station functions now, any yahoo can go live on the air, unedited, and broadcast any statement about anyone with no fact-checking or verification. And once it's broadcast to WGOW's wide audience, it's impossible to UN-broadcast and clean up the mess created.
The station and its callers came perilously close to smearing a completely innocent party and creating another victim in this tragedy. I was on the scene at the accident and I can tell you I heard many statements this morning that were simply untrue.
I'll also point out that the driver of the Jaguar was devastated and is also a victim in this catastrophe.
I urge WGOW and its callers to do better. Stick with the facts. The truth will always play out in time. I also urge WGOW's listeners to listen with a more discerning ear.
Bobby Stone
rfstone@gmail.com
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During our recent senate election I had to admire all hosts and hostess. In light of unseemly gossip and rumors about Bob Corker's personal family issues and Harold Ford Jr.'s personal family issues, WGOW personalities were very selective. I respected them for it.
They bit their tongues so hard and took the high road. They could have taken the lower road, maybe enjoyed more call-ins, but opted to show respect to both candidates.
WGOW holds many secrets close to the belt. Sean Paul won't talk about anything at all until it's been etched in stone.
C. Elmore
Brainerd
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I, too, heard the debacle a few days ago concerning the Hixson Pike wreck and I must agree with Mr. Stone. It was careless and irresponsible to let people openly, and with hostility, speculate on misinformation.
I am ashamed to say they must do that to keep people tuned in while they compromise real journalistic integrity.
And I have listened in complete disgust to the rantings and ravings of Robert T. Nash over the incident, back peddling in order to protect his station even though he must know somewhere deep down in this heart that they were wrong.
I do not know Mr. Stone, but I do know that for the last few days Robert T. Nash has slandered his name all over the airwaves, insult after insult, and I find it childish and insulting to his audience.
It's disheartening to think we now live in a society where we ridicule someone for standing up for what they believe in. Perhaps, Robert T. Nash should evaluate the real reason he is upset and humbly apologize. I, for one, have been listening to Live and Local for some time, but I will not any longer.
Sarah Thomas
Hixson
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