WLS Fires Skinner

[leQ]

this was in the morning's e-mail from carolyn kay of makethemaccountable.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



WLS RADIO HOST FIRED AFTER SHE ANNOUNCES HER CANDIDACY FOR US SENATE





DATE: July 21, 2003



CONTACT: Carolyn Kay 312-697-0887 [email protected]



Prominent WLS radio personality Nancy Skinner was fired Monday following her announcement that she is running as a Democrat for the US Senate seat being vacated by Peter Fitzgerald (R) next year.



Skinner made the announcement on her Sunday program “Ski and Skinner” which began in 1997. Management at WLS informed her Monday that it was a WLS company decision. There are no longer Federal Election Commission equal time restrictions that required her termination.



Skinner was disappointed with the decision. “I’ve built up such a connection with listeners across Illinois who feel their views are shut out of talk radio. We had these three hours a week where Democrats could unspin the week of right wing blather on cable shows and talk radio. It saddens me,” Skinner says.



Skinner also co-hosts a nationally syndicated program called Good Day USA which airs on 380 radio stations across the country including six Illinois stations. (www.dougstephan.com). She is a frequent contributor to political debates on CNN, MSNBC and the Fox News Channel. Ms. Skinner believes that it is her media experience that will make the difference in her candidacy, “In national politics you live and die in 30 second sound bites –like it or not. I know how to effectively communicate our message, to cut through spin and get the truth out in an increasing conservative mass media.”



Talk radio is a medium dominated by conservative hosts and Nancy’s success as a progressive Democrat was a rarity. “More people have been to the moon”, she jokes. Still the issue of media concentration and its effects on the airing of all views is a real concern to Skinner and will be a part of her campaign. “The airwaves belong to the American people and when radio and now cable TV are all tripping over themselves to see who can be more conservative, we have a problem for our democracy,” she says.



Ms. Skinner has a business degree from the University of Michigan and a background in environmental consulting. Following the floods of 1993, she persuaded the flood-stricken community of Valmeyer, IL to rebuild off the floodplain using the best environmental and design principles available. She assembled a team of national experts, several federal agencies and the White House to participate. The town and its mayor, Dennis Knobloch, received a Presidential award for the effort.



Skinner’s website is SkinnerForSenate.com

[chiburb]

1. Not unexpected, but a shame nonetheless...

Her 3 hours WERE an oasis in an otherwise barren Chicago radio scene.
Let's see if WLS continues with Ski (her co-host) and a new partner(?).

[kentuck]

2. I will not listen to WLS without Nancy Skinner...

Consider this a one-man boycott...

[dArKeR]

3. Is it the same Skinner as the DU Skinner?

Sorry, I'm clue-less

[Lithos]

4. No

Different Skinner. Our Skinner is better known as David Allen.

[dArKeR]

8. thanks

[Aaron]

5. Didn't Ventura get to use his radio show for his campaign? (n/t)

[SideshowScott]

7. Yep, But dont you know its always unfiar when it comes to Democrats?

Its totaly true..The GOP will do anything and I MEAN ANYTHING to make sure the Democrats message is silenced..WHy? beacuse the GOP know the truth that they try so hard to hide, Distort and Slander the fact that people agree with democrats more than the GOP on issues that concern americans..The GOP cant win on issues and they KNOW it..Giving Skinner 3 hours a day to talk about them would be crushing to the GOP..All that money time and energy to silence any dem that has a direct link to the american people means they can say and do whatever they feel like without debate..Rush knows it..Thats why he fought hard to make sure Rhandi didnt get her syndication deal..Thats why no really good dem or anyone on the left has one eather..We need to fight this media nazi-ism tooth and nail
Scott

[BiggJawn]

6. "Gee Nancy, we'd have to give your challenger 3 hours a week.."

First, the Fairness Doctrine went down the crapper YEARS ago, so that's a false statement.
Secondly, WLS already has Insanity, Gush Pfleghmball, and that black woamn who obviously never heard the elder Watt's comment about chickens and Col. Sanders...
I was afraid they'd pull some shit like this. When GWII got going, they shuffled their schedule around so they could air the Talking Points constantly, yet keep the wingers on. Ski and Skinner got "pre-empted" a few times for "War coverage", but Gush stayed right where he was. I think they got flooded with E-mails.

[Eloriel]

17. Third, the Fairness Doctrine NEVER required "equal time"

It only required that controversial subjects, esp. of local interest, be aired and that opposing viewpoints also be aired. If some aspect of an issue wasn't covered in that way, responsible parties could petition the station and they'd usually get about 60 seconds which could be aired ANY time (like midnight to 6 a.m.) to make their case. It mostly kept stations honest about airing both sides because of the nuiscance factor, including complaints to the FCC which were serious issues back then, unlike now.

Eloriel

[librechik]

9. Listen to Nancy now at ieamericaradio.com

She's talking about the firing a little bit...

[AntiSmirk]

10. Damn, Damn, Damn

I thought this might happen. I like Ski but I'm not sure he can hold the show together by himself - he's a little too laid back. Well, at least I know who I will be voting for here in Illinois in the Dem primary.

[kentuck]

11. Can't you just imagine the passion that Nancy would bring to the women

in the Senate? Compare her to someone like Patty Murray, for example. Nancy will be a fighter and an example for the other women of the Senate. She will not shy away from a fight because she is very well informed and knows how to tie the facts together...

[schultzee]

12. Will she still be on ieamericaradio.com in the A.M.? She is great.

They probably fired her because they support the republican greedy corrupt pigs.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

16. True, True, True...

American media is very much censored by the government and the corporate world. In other westernized nations in Europe, this is not allowed!

[Wink]

13. WLS says they didn't fire her.

I sent this letter:

Thanks for getting rid of Nancy Skinner. The liberals had far too much time on you're radio station (6 man hours per week). I like to listen to the Bush cheerleaders 24/7. That way I don't have to think about my president being a crooked liar. In case you haven't noticed I am being sarcastic. You guys are jags for removing one of the few liberal voices on radio. I guess I'll listen to Gary and Roe and then switch the station for the weekends.


Their response:

Nancy has not been fired. During her pursuit for candidacy of the US
Senate, Nancy Skinner will not be hosting a talk show on WLS.

Effectively immediately and until further notice, Ski Anderson will be the
solo host of the Ski Anderson Show on WLS, Sundays from Noon-3pm.


###

Al Brouilette
Webmaster
http://www.wlsam.com
312.984.5334

[BiggJawn]

14. Oh, a ReTHUG "What 'IS' is" argument.....

Yeah, Nancy wasn't fired, she was "Terminated with Extreme Prejudice"...
She's not on the air. she was an on-air personality. she's not on the air anymore. What would you call THAT?

Yeah, it all depends on what WLS' definition of "is" is....

[yankeeinlouisiana]

15. What about Ski Anderson??

Are they trashing the entire show? It was definetly an oasis. Every Sunday I would listen to them. Unfortunately, I wasn't home this Sunday and only caught the last hour.

Well, I guess it's time to send WLS another email rant. I sent one when they fired Mike Malloy and I'll really miss Nancy on Sundays.

It'll be a long shot, but I hope she wins. I'll make sure I tell all my family and friends in Illinois to vote for her!!

Remember, when one door closes, another one opens.