Radio daze
A letter to National Radio Hall of Fame President Bruce DuMont regarding the upcoming induction of Focus on the Family's James Dobson:
We are outraged by the planned induction of Rev. James Dobson into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Dobson has made hatred against LGBT people a centerpiece of his so-called 'ministry.'
For example, Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman on Oct. 23, 2004, 'Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth.'
Dobson has manipulated research results to back his anti-gay teachings. Letters and videos documenting the concerns of respected researchers can be viewed at TruthWinsOut.org and RespectMyResearch.org .
Dobson founded a 'ministry'—Love Won Out—that promises to 'cure' homosexuals, even though such 'reparative therapy' is condemned by every respected medical and mental health association in America, including the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
We believe that you and your associates at the museum must be aware of Dobson's contribution to anti-gay hate, and yet you chose to ignore, or perhaps even applaud, his harm to our community. Museums should be places that celebrate the best of human endeavor, not the worst.
You told a Windy City Times reporter that when nominations are considered, 'there is no discussion of politics.' You called Dobson's record 'remarkable.' Excuse us if we don't describe anti-gay hate mongering as 'remarkable!' Neither do we accept your transparent 'no politics' rationalization, likely calculated to attract right-wing dollars.
During the 1930s the widely listened-to yet odious Father Charles Coughlin had a 'remarkable' record too, preaching hatred of Jews to millions as he fawned over German Nazis and Italian Fascists. Why is he not among the Hall of Fame honorees?
Assuming that David Duke had a successful radio program, are we to believe that your Hall of Fame would induct the notorious racist? We both know the answer to these questions.
While open racism against Jews and Blacks is properly shunned by most people, it seems that gays are still considered expendable in some quarters. Shockingly, this appears to include the Museum of Broadcast Communications and its National Radio Hall of Fame.
We demand that the Dobson honor be rescinded. Should this not occur, along with gay leader Wayne Beson, we urge other LGBT community organizations and individuals, and all fair-minded people, to unite to protest this disgusting 'honor' on Nov. 8 at Renaissance Chicago Hotel.
Truly yours,
Gay Liberation Network
Chicago
Dear Editor:
The 157 members of the National Radio Hall of Fame ( NRHOF ) represent a broad cross-section of individuals and diverse program formats.
Nominations are made by the National Radio Hall of Fame Steering Committee ( RHOFSC ) , which consists of radio executives, academicians, trade journalists and others interested in preserving the rich history of radio and creating a shrine to recognize its role in society.
The principal responsibility of the RHOFSC is to nominate individuals who meet the following criteria for induction in four categories—Pioneer National, Active National, Pioneer Local or Regional and Active Local or Regional:
—A local broadcaster must have made at least a 20-year contribution to the radio industry and distinguished him/herself at the local and/or regional level.
—A national broadcaster must have made at least a 10-year contribution to the radio industry and distinguished him/herself at the national level.
The political and religious views of a nominee have never been and are not taken into consideration by the Committee—that is a possible consideration however for those who choose to vote.
After nominations are made, open online balloting begins in May of each year and runs through July 15. Eligible voters include the general public, members of the National Radio Hall of Fame as well as over 2,000 radio historians, educators and industry leaders.
In past years the public could vote if they were NRHOF members or if they joined the National Radio Hall of Fame online for $15.00. But the NRHOFSC this year felt that buying a membership in order to vote could create the impression that votes could be bought, and so the requirement to buy a membership was eliminated and an open ballot process was used. The Committee agreed in May that the new procedure would be reviewed at the end of the year, as it will.
The online voting is supervised and certified by Votenet, a highly respected online vote tabulating firm. Results are ratified by the RHOFSC.
The person that finishes first in each of the above named categories is inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame at its annual gala/broadcast from Chicago on the second Saturday of November.
The major online radio trade publications all carried frequent reminders about the ballot deadline. The process was not a secret to anyone in the radio industry nor to any of the nominees.
This process was designed to be fair and open. Objections to the political or religious views of some nominees and inductees is expected in a free and open society.
The National Radio Hall of Fame respects the views of all Americans and has demonstrated that in 16 years of national balloting.
Professionally, I have probably provided more local and national on air exposure for gay and lesbian leaders and issues than any other mainstream radio talk show host over the past 25 years. I respect the community and understand their passion on the issue at hand.
Bruce DuMont
Chairman
National Radio Hall of Fame
