Power of the Press Pales Before Power of the People

No shirt, no shoes, no service.  We reserve the right to refuse service.  Signs often seen in private businesses around the country but more and more, the rights of private business have been challenged and altered by organized public complaint.

Ask Don Imus or any other broadcaster who is forced to make changes not due to ideology shifts, but by pressure -real & threatened.

The most recent case comes from southern California where a couple of local commentators said things about Whitney Houston that angred the African-American community.

What followed was suspensions and vows to change the station's talent line up.  Shouldn't that be a business decision best based on real market conditions? 

Here's the story from Inside Radio:

L.A.’s KFI pledges to add diversity to its lineup.

Under fire from local minority groups, Clear Channel’s dominant Los Angeles talk station KFI (640) says it’s reviewing its talk format and pledges to "find a platform" for auditioning a more diverse group of local hosts and guests. It’s also sending controversial afternoon talk hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou to sensitivity training. The personalities have been both a political force in California politics and a thorn in the side of activists who found some of their comments racially-charged. Kobylt and Chiampou returned to the air Monday with an apology in hand after being suspended for referring to the late singer Whitney Houston as a "crack ho." Following protests outside the station and on Facebook, and a face-to-face meeting with local black leaders, a letter from station management says KFI is "making additional programming and operating changes" that should address some of the concerns that have been raised. "We’ve heard your voice," the letter says.

L.A.’s KFI pledges to add diversity to its lineup.

Under fire from local minority groups, Clear Channel’s dominant Los Angeles talk station KFI (640) says it’s reviewing its talk format and pledges to "find a platform" for auditioning a more diverse group of local hosts and guests. It’s also sending controversial afternoon talk hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou to sensitivity training. The personalities have been both a political force in California politics and a thorn in the side of activists who found some of their comments racially-charged. Kobylt and Chiampou returned to the air Monday with an apology in hand after being suspended for referring to the late singer Whitney Houston as a "crack ho." Following protests outside the station and on Facebook, and a face-to-face meeting with local black leaders, a letter from station management says KFI is "making additional programming and operating changes" that should address some of the concerns that have been raised. "We’ve heard your voice," the letter says.