In October of 2003, WNNX Atlanta ("99X") debuted its new morning show: "The Don Miller Morning Show". Leading a cast of both familiar and new personalities,
Fred Toettcher aka Toucher, brought a Howard Sternesqe brand
of humor that had been missing from Atlanta radio. In Early 2004, two events
converged. The New Hampshire Primary, January 27th, signaled the beginning of
the Presidential Campaign. The Superbowl, February 1, brought Janet Jackson's breasts into
the national spotlight causing an already conservative FCC to clamp down further
on free speech. Toucher reacted by openly endorsing John Kerry and criticizing
George Bush at every opportunity. Toucher's opinions were balanced by those of admitted Right Wing Conservatives Gary "Wally": Wallace and Christopher Callandro.
On June 17, 2004, a poorly thought out parody called Babies Can't Wait ($), resulted in the firing of then Program Director Chris Williams. Things began to change. The show's name changed and so did the show's political composition. More time was given to the opinions of Wallace, Calandro, and conservative callers, less time was given to any progressive viewpoints.
Susquehanna Radio Corp at this moment has 33 radio stations. While 99X likes to market it self as "forward thinking," Susquehanna, though not as visible as a Clear Channel, stood to gain a great deal from a Bush reelection, due to the consolidation friendly policies of Michael Powell and the Bush picked FCC. Leslie Fram, 99X's program director, deservedly earned a reputation early in her tenure for breaking unsigned or independent label artists. Today, however, the vast majority of new music played on 99x comes from major record labels. 99X may like to project the image of Jack White, but its reality is closer to Jack Welch.
Did 99X Management instruct Toucher and company to stop giving progressive opinions while turning a blind eye to any conservative ones? Was the firing of Chris Williams a sword of Damocles used to supress liberal speech? Does 99X turn a blind eye to statements that are offensive to progressives? Tune in.
Susquehanna Radio Corp at this moment has 33 radio stations. While 99X likes to market it self as "forward thinking," Susquehanna, though not as visible as a Clear Channel, stood to gain a great deal from a Bush reelection, due to the consolidation friendly policies of Michael Powell and the Bush picked FCC. Leslie Fram, 99X's program director, deservedly earned a reputation early in her tenure for breaking unsigned or independent label artists. Today, however, the vast majority of new music played on 99x comes from major record labels. 99X may like to project the image of Jack White, but its reality is closer to Jack Welch.
Did 99X Management instruct Toucher and company to stop giving progressive opinions while turning a blind eye to any conservative ones? Was the firing of Chris Williams a sword of Damocles used to supress liberal speech? Does 99X turn a blind eye to statements that are offensive to progressives? Tune in.
