BOTTOM LINE COMMUNICATIONS
|
|
BLC EDITORIAL... The revocation of press credentials by the Kansas City Royals of radio talkers Bob Fescoe of WHB-810 and Rhonda Moss of KCSP-610 for asking tough questions during a news conference is playing out the way many media watchers anticipated. Follow the money... Fescoe, on his morning show (6/12), apologized for his actions and begged the Royals to rescind the action. He said maybe he didn't ask the questions correctly. Maybe he made poor decisions... It was painfully obvious that Fescoe's employer WHB, the radio rights holder for the Royals broadcasts, and owner Kevin Kietzman blamed him for his actions. He sounded like a guy hoping to keep his job. (Later Kietzman said he assured Fescoe he will keep his job.) Moss, who was a member of the tough sports media in Detroit before coming to KC, made it clear from the onset she considered the Royals action completely out of line. She refused to apologize for asking tough questions. When she was contacted via phone that her credentials were being revoked (while sitting in the press box at Royals stadium prior to a game) she was stunned. Initially, Moss was worried that she might lose her job. However, Moss's employer, Entercom Communications, has stood behind her 100%. Ironically, this has turned into more of a "follow the money" drama than one of journalism. WHB owner/talk show host Kevin Kietzman made it known that he considered the tough questions asked during the news conference inappropriate. His support of Fescoe has been tepid at best. Journalistic integrity be damned, this involves a broadcast partner and major money. On his afternoon talk show (6/12) Kietzman said that he felt both Fescoe and Moss "crossed the line" in their questioning. He was particularly critical of Moss's questions and said they were really the reason Fescoe's credentials were taken since he simply followed her lead. His station is trying to get Fescoe's credentials reinstated. Kietzman even reported that Moss was caught eavesdropping outside Glass's door listening in on conversations. He agreed with a caller that the Royals were probably concerned about pulling credentials from a single woman, and added Fescoe to look like they weren't picking on just a female. "She is an edgy, rude and mean kind of person," he stated, and later added, "He (Fescoe) wasn't half as bad as her. We would like to see him get his credentials back." This is the same Kietzman who severely criticized several KCSP staffers earlier this year for receiving money from supporters of a recent stadium renovation ballot issue. KCSP had supported the ballot issue, while WHB opposed it. Kietzman said it involved journalistic integrity, however, at the time, Kietzman had been an outspoken advocate for building a new stadium downtown. The Kansas City Press Club has been asked to get involved in the issue. If a team can dictate who covers it, then what is to stop mayors from giving press credentials to reporters who ask tough questions? It's clearly a censorship issue. There are gray areas in journalism as there are in every facet of life. However, there is no gray area when journalists are banned for asking tough questions and doing their job. If real journalists don't take a stand on this issue then their credibility will have taken a major hit.
|