Yesterday it was announced that Mike Malloy was fired from Air America Radio "for financial reasons." The news was announced on Democratic Underground by at 11 oclock yesterday morning by Kathy Bay Malloy, Mike's producer.
This is not a published news article, but I think it qualifies as LBN.
This is Kathy Bay Malloy and we just got news that as of this minute we've been terminated by Air America Radio.
We don't have all the details yet, but got a tip from someone who'd seen the new network lineup that we weren't included after all. We just had that confirmed by one of the suits a few minutes ago. We're told that its a financial decision.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support and we'll keep you updated as we receive more information.
Kathy Bay Malloy
Shortly thereafter, someone from Democratic Underground set up a Petition to Reinstate Mike Malloy. At this writing there are over 2,800 signatures, at a rate of well over 230 new signatures per hour.
The petition reads:
To: Air America Radio
It sends a very bad signal to the growing majority of progressives in America to silence an uncompromising liberal voice such as Mike Malloy. Just as voters reach a tipping point, the credibility of Air America is seriously damaged by this action. For the sake of his current and future listeners, and all of the other hosts on Air America, reconsider this awful decision and give us Mike back.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
In addition to signing the petition,
Petition to Reinstate Mike Malloy
Air America Radio has set up a comment line at 212-871-8290
Email Air America Radio:
http://www.airamerica.com/...
For comments on Mike Malloy's blog on Air America Radio:
http://www.airamerica.com/...
Why was Mike fired:
Until Mike makes a statement we just don't know the reason for his firing. Here's one opinion, from the horse's mouth, Sheldon Drobney on Huffington Post:
I am a good friend of Mike Malloy and when I started Air America Radio, I wanted him, Randi Rhodes, and Al Franken. I thought that would be a good start. And I got them. When I got a call from Mike Malloy yesterday I was shocked that the AAR board had not offered him a contract.
He is the lowest paid of all the regular hosts on AAR and they put him in an awful time slot, 10pm-1am ET. As I stated before, I am a minority owner of AAR and I am not on the board of directors. I do run 2 AAR affiliates in Phoenix and Little Rock. However, the AAR board does not seem to want my advice. It is a shame because I could really help. I have lots of experience in business and I understand good talk radio.
AAR is the most branded name in talk radio primarily because the MSM gave them all that free publicity and the right wing talk show hosts always bring up AAR. While I was involved in AAR operations, I recognized that the free publicity we got was wonderful. I also know that you do not have to like your talent and in fact most radio hosts are a bit egocentric and at times difficult to deal with. Howard Stern is the best example of that. Does anyone really like Stern? But, he does create controversy and get lots of listeners. Isn't that what talk radio is about? And Mike Malloy is extremely controversial, but he is knowledgeable and lots of people enjoy his show.
I suspect Malloy's termination was more about personality than performance. It certainly was not about money. My suggestion to those who love Mike Malloy is to do what the audience of 60 Minutes did when they terminated Andy Rooney several years ago. Email or write them about your feelings and we may still have a chance to get him back. I have already vigorously registered my complaint directly to the board and I understand that Sam Sedar also did on the air yesterday. Go to the AAR web site at http://www.airamericaradio.com and let them know how you feel. Register on line free and click "About Us" on the right side of the top and "Contact us" will appear. I talked to Mike Malloy and he would be open to coming back if too much time does not pass.
Here are two theories, and please, consider the source.
Accuracy in Media CAVEAT EMPTOR says that a two and a half hour interview with Webster Griffin Tarpley was the straw that broke the camel's back, pissing off AAR's potential financial backer George Soros and Democracy Alliance:
The former high-level LaRouche associate, Webster Griffin Tarpley, was on the Malloy show to promote his view that unnamed U.S. officials carried out the attacks on 9/11 and blamed Muslims for the terrorist acts
That Air America would air an interview with Tarpley (associate of Lyndon LaRouche) at a time when it is angling for major cash from George Soros was strange indeed. One has to conclude that it was a factor in Malloy's ouster.
"I don't think I've ever had one person on for two and one-half hours," Malloy said as he thanked Tarpley and urged him to "watch your back," as if his life was in danger for spouting this nonsense. Apparently aware that some of the charges that were made on his show were too impossible to believe, Malloy told his audience, "Just make your own decision." It looks like the rich liberals running Air America have made theirs.
* CAVEAT EMPTOR: Latin for "Let the buyer beware." I am not endorsing Accuracy in Media as a source, nor this theory about Mike Malloy's being fired by Air America Radio.
Shelby LaPre of RadioPower.org has a solution:
AAR fired the best morning show on Radio (Morning Sedition) because it was too over the top for advertisers. Now they have fired Malloy. As they move closer to the middle and court the D.L.C. money they're running us all out of business. Lucky are the few who are allowed to be on AAR if they watch their step. This is the Wal-Marting of liberal radio. This is what is wrong with all commercial radio. This is why supporting independent affiliates like RadioPower and others is more important than corporations like AAR.
The only way that we the people can someday gain freedom over the content of our radio programs is to support independent, commercial free, INTERNET RADIO.
We're working to get Malloy back on RadioPower Progressive Stream. To this end, and for the populist cause in general, we ask our listeners to Donate to our network.
Shelby LaPre
RadioPower.org
Mike's Last Show Hurricane Katrina rebroadcast by Head On Radio
Since Air America didn't have the decency to let Mike say goodbye. We have been given permission to rebroadcast Mike's final show on I.E. America. 10pm eastern time tonight. Rebroadcast
Statement from Mike Malloy:
The righteous anger and frustration felt right now by so many supporters of our program should be expressed to Air America Radio directly.
Here's the phone number to call: 212-871-8290 or email to: comments@airamericaradio.com
And don't forget to sign the petition!
Petition to Reinstate Mike Malloy