Multiple groups in the University community are mobilizing in response to what they say is racist programming broadcast on KUGN-AM, but the University has declined to take a stance against the radio station. The ASUO offered a resolution that proposes KUGN include a disclaimer with any reference to the University.
University President Dave Frohnmayer sent a letter to ASUO President Rachel Pilliod on Friday afternoon, stating the University would not become mired in contractual issues with KUGN as a way of getting the station to change its programming.
He added most listeners realize the comments made by radio hosts are personal opinions, and don’t represent the views of the station, its advertisers or its affiliates.
“I am not convinced that anyone believes the University has any connection with KUGN programming or that of any station beyond the broadcasts of our athletic programs,” Frohnmayer stated in his letter.
KUGN holds the exclusive local broadcasting rights for Ducks athletic programming through an agreement with the University, and the station is also allowed to market itself as “the voice of the Ducks.”
Several campus groups contend that the affiliation between the radio station and the University is inappropriate because of what they allege are bigoted remarks made by KUGN nationally-syndicated talk show hosts Michael Savage and Michael Medved.
Thursday evening, a coalition of students, staff, faculty and community members convened to discuss how to deal with the situation.
The group said that its objectives weren’t to censor views expressed by Savage — or to a lesser degree — Medved. Their aim was to distance the University from KUGN.
Philosophy Professor Cheyney Ryan said Concerned Faculty for Peace and Justice have also been talking about KUGN. The group has been discussing the issue for the past six weeks and has assembled a legal team to examine the contract with KUGN to determine what
options the University has, Ryan said.
The coalition’s desire to separate the University and KUGN was echoed by the ASUO Executive on Wednesday with the resolution. Maddy Melton, co-multicultural advocate for student government, said the resolution recommends when KUGN uses any University logos, trade names, service marks or trademarks, that it immediately be followed by a disclaimer saying the radio station’s programming only represents Ducks athletics and not the University or its policies.
ASUO spokeswoman Lacy Ogan said while student government appreciates Frohnmayer’s opinions and understands the University cannot legally break its contract, she said the ASUO is firmly standing by the resolution. She added it will be up to the coalition to decide what action to take in response to Frohnmayer’s letter, and the student government will uphold whatever decisions the group makes.
However, not all students believe that the University needs to break its connection with KUGN. College Republicans Chairman Jarrett White said while the two talk show hosts sometimes make offensive comments, they provide a healthy political discourse and help stir up debate.
“Savage is entertaining and I don’t think he’s meant to be politically correct,” White said. “Yes, some of the things he says might be wrong, but I think he’s a good conservative voice to balance out public debate.”
Gabe Sitowski, a University senior and regular listener of KUGN, said the recent characterization of the station as “hate radio” is completely off the mark. He added that while Savage sometimes engages in long emotional rants, he usually voices a retraction if he goes overboard.