04.29.07
PRESS RELEASE: Asian American Justice Center Joins Advocacy Groups to Condemn Insensitive On-Air Remarks on CBS Radio, Call for Firings
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Leonie Campbell
Tel: 202-296-2300 ext. 135
Cell: 202-492-4591
Asian American Justice Center Joins Advocacy Groups to Condemn Insensitive On-Air Remarks on CBS Radio, Call for Firings
Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a leading national civil and human rights organization, and its affiliates – Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Asian Law Caucus and the Asian American Institute – join advocacy groups nationwide in strongly condemning CBS Radio, demanding a more racially sensitive programming ethos, and calling for the firing of two hosts at WFNY, its New York affiliate, following an inexcusably crude and offensive tirade against Chinese restaurant workers on “The Dog House with JV and Elvis.”
In the six-minute segment, which aired on April 5 – and re-aired on April 19 – shock jocks Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay made a call to a Chinese restaurant in which they ordered “shrimp flied lice,” sexually propositioned a female waitress, and referred to another employee’s body part as a “tiny egg roll.”
“While we welcome the prompt apology from the station and suspension of the two employees, we believe this is far from enough, given the very gratuitous nature of this episode,” said AAJC Deputy Director Vincent A. Eng. “We believe the station should terminate them and their producer, and improve and re-issue guidelines for offensive and discriminatory and objectionable terms.”
Asian Pacific American Legal Center Executive Director Stewart Kwoh added, “In addition to developing guidelines on offensive and discriminatory terms, those involved with radio production must be regularly trained and reminded of such guidelines, and the guidelines should be shared with community groups so that the station is accountable to our community.”
“CBS Radio needs to take steps to ensure that the industry, and its own employees in particular, uphold standards of professionalism that merit their use of the public airwaves,” said Malcolm Yeung, a staff attorney at the Asian Law Caucus. “In granting a license, the federal government requires that radio programming be responsive to community needs. Continuing to employ racist shock jocks violates this criteria.”
“I find it appalling that this kind of outrageous behavior was allowed on the airwaves, and only merits a suspension,” said Tuyet Le, executive director of the Asian American Institute in Chicago. “Radio executives should show greater responsibility by firing these employees.”
# # #
The Asian American Justice Center, formerly known as NAPALC, is a national organization dedicated to defending and advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans. It works closely with three affiliates – the Asian American Institute of Chicago, the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles – and nearly 100 community partners in 49 cities, 23 states and Washington, D.C.
Jimmyconnors! said,
April 29, 2007 at 2:52 pm
You don’t even know these people and you’re calling for them to be fired. You scumbags
Jillian said,
April 29, 2007 at 7:01 pm
You guys suck grow up little babies
You don’t have the right to decide I cant listen.
And by the way im a woman.. All those liberal p***ies you posted supported you because they are fake liberals who want to get along with everyone no matter what the cost.. you guys SUCK 4 life.
Rebecca Yu said,
April 29, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Only way to stop these racist tards is to hit em where it hurts - their paycheck! Time to throw the doghouse in the doghouse!
humpy said,
April 30, 2007 at 4:42 am
“You don’t have the right to decide I cant listen.”
we don’t but CBS and its advertisers certainly do.
now go to your anne coulter racist websites and screw your inb*** whitey fathers.
if you’re all so inclined, why don’t you make a podcast then? maybe because you’re too poor eating roadkill and molesting your sisters and daughters (as whitey womyn yourselves) to even know how to setup a podcast?
G.S. said,
April 30, 2007 at 5:00 am
No matter how it comes about.. In the end it is plain and simple censorship… because you don’t like it, through your actions you’ve decided that no one should be able to listen to it and no one CAN listen to it.
Wow you guys sure have a lot of work to do… Who’s next Hot 97? Comedians? Cartoons? Sitcoms? Whole television networks? Other Radio hosts?! Rap music? Rock music?
Censorship no matter what disguise you want to wrap around it…
Long live the DogHouse? said,
April 30, 2007 at 11:22 am
“Wow you guys sure have a lot of work to do… Who’s next Hot 97? Comedians? Cartoons? Sitcoms? Whole television networks? Other Radio hosts?! Rap music? Rock music?”
After the DogHouse, let’s put an end to poorly devised “slippery slope” arguments.
It’s quite alright, you’re merely a product of your own demographic.
Ok…I can’t help it…You suck grows up babi whinners who is liberal crybaby commie facists taking away american free speach democracy and constitutionerial right of expressing the ideas in my brain faker lamo asians hypocrites hot97.
Long live the DogHouse? said,
April 30, 2007 at 11:35 am
“And by the way im a woman.. All those liberal p***ies you posted supported you because they are fake liberals who want to get along with everyone no matter what the cost.. you guys SUCK 4 life.”
Dear god, you’re a woman? But that’s totally unexpected! Your idiotic rant suddenly gained more power because of that fact!
Haha. “SUCK 4 life” good stuff.
Linda McAllister said,
April 30, 2007 at 2:37 pm
In all seriousness GS, you will feel differently one day when you are the one being viciously targeted. And I peronally can’t wait for that day…
Amy said,
April 30, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Wow Linda, that’s very nice of you…I can’t say that I’ve ever had danger and oppression wished upon me before. You are quite generous. And Humpy, your inbred white tr**h jokes are very clever. Fighting perceived fire with fire huh? Very progressive. Even better is that your racist comments are actually projected in a mean-spirited and hateful manner.
Linda McAllister said,
April 30, 2007 at 7:36 pm
“I can’t say that I’ve ever had danger and oppression wished upon me before.”
So, G.S. = Amy? Getting all your multiple IDs mixed up here, you troll? And you also admit that what JV was dishing out is in fact “danger and oppression.” You’re not too smart, are you? Busted! =)
It’s obvious that all the “doghouse fans” here are just one lonely loser stuck in his mama’s doghouse!
Amy said,
April 30, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Linda…let me lay this out for you. First, I am not G.S. Second, I was responding to your comment that you can’t wait for the day that G.S. is viciously targeted. Now, placed in the context of this situation, I take that to mean that you not only want G.S. targeted, but his race as well…so he can understand what it feels like. Linda, I’m not sure if you are affiliated with the OCA, Fallout, or just representing yourself individually here, but either way I’m finding that the sentiment seems to be that some of the people on this site feel the need for vengeance; to turn the tables of this oppression that is perceived; to use blantant racism when they themselves are feeling racially attacked. Whether or not your demands are met by CBS, it is your ideals that concern me.
G.S. said,
April 30, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Yeah I am Italian.
Italians are portrayed so much better than Asians… Please…
Lets see off the top of my head… Ginny Tee’s, wife beating, unfaithful to woman, gun toting, wise cracking, pronouncing everything like a retard, ALWAYS IN THE MAFIA, greasy haired, bald headed fat and sweaty, hates blacks and/or hates jews and Irishmen!!
Those were just the few I thought of in about 1 minute, but you see what the difference is…
I can tell the difference between a Hitler Speech and a g** damn prank call, or a popular sitcom…Those
stereotypes do not apply to every Italian, they probably refer to less than HALF of the whole Italian-American population in America- But I realize that, and I really wish more people could tell the difference between a true threat of violence to a group of people and a prank call or a JOKE done laughingly.
Just to set it straight.. When the Italian Defamation groups go after people or movies or any entertainment media I feel the same way and I wish they would take a f***in chill pill…
You don’t see this as a slipper slope.. I hate that term because 99% of the time its B.S.
But After IMUS got taken off, now they have to go after HIP HOP and Rap, now this radio show, and a few other shows have been cancelled to..
Its every individual’s choice to decide if they want to listen to something that someone else MAY DEEM Offensive, “having no place in society” as I see getting thrown around here over and over again.
The whole IMUS thing just brought it to the mainstream, but this censorship has been going on for a while… And yes the FAR RIGHT is guilty of it to, but this is mostly an effect of the FAR LEFT and the media that they control and special groups that are supported because of their “EVERYONE MUST GET ALONG” agenda.
G** it’s so frustrating, dont choose for me, I CAN DO IT ON MY OWN.
humper said,
May 1, 2007 at 6:23 am
if it’s censorship then why are asian-american voices always censored?
if you’re about equality and not being hypocrites that you are, give telly wong and the fallout central guys the same equal air time on CBS, then it’s platform for free speech. as it is, you racist redn***s are just guilty of censorship by your own definition.
and you’re so sad and kneejerk reactions to everything you don’t even know what censorship is when it comes to the government and not private organizations like corporations.
COME ON!!!! said,
May 1, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Hate is a bad thing, thats obvious. Hate is what killed Mathew Shepard, hate is what murdered over 30 college students a week ago, hate is what caused the holocaust, and slavery and oppression.
What needs to be seen is that JV & Elvis are not racist, they do not leave the show every day and go to a white power meeting where they bash every other race. They were two comedians that had a prank phone call, that wasn’t funny.
So say what ever you want about them being “Oppressive hateful red****s”
But realize that you are asking for someone to be fired because they made a joke, a joke that you didn’t like.
and yeah there is a difference between jokes and jokes that hurt, but come on we’re adults and The Dog House did not put anyone at risk. How many of the people on this board know anything about the show, how many people actually listened to it.
We are falling into a society that is so obsessed with political correctness, that we are losing rights that actually matter.
lex said,
May 1, 2007 at 9:55 pm
obviously the imbreds have nothing to do but to tread the blogosphere to defend these clowns.
So, let’s start talking about “I”talians. Yup, they are a bunch of w*** b***ers. How’s your little linguine … in your pants?
Irish - are those potatoes big enough to fill your underwear?
Funny right?
COME ON!!!! said,
May 1, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Oh…
Oh wait I get it now, this is because someone made a small penis joke. I had this pegged all wrong, yeah f**k JV & Elvis.
How dare they!!!
humpey said,
May 2, 2007 at 7:05 am
“We are falling into a society that is so obsessed with political correctness, that we are losing rights that actually matter.”
racism and racist libel was never part of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the bill of rights — unless you’re all ******smen that is.
JimmyConnors! said,
May 2, 2007 at 8:07 pm
“How’s the little linguini in your pants?”
What the f***?
BenBenXiong said,
May 2, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Comparison to the “Candy Wrapper” Song broadcast by a San Diego radio station
As you are aware, less explicit material and material that relies principally on innuendo to convey a sexual or excretory meaning have also been cited by the Commission as actionably indecent where the sexual or excretory meaning was unmistakable.
For example, FCC found that words used in the “Candy Wrapper” Song broadcast by KGB-FM, a radio station in San Diego, California, constitute INDECENT broadcast.
For your reference, the “Candy Wrapper’’ song contained the following lyrics:
I whipped out my Whopper and whispered, Hey, Sweettart,
how’d you like to Crunch on my Big Hunk for a Million Dollar Bar?
Well, she immediately went down on my Tootsie Roll and you know,
it was like pure Almond Joy.
I couldn’t help but grab her delicious Mounds, …
this little Twix had the Red Hots. ….
as my Butterfinger went up her tight little Kit Kat,
and she started to scream Oh, Henry! Oh, Henry!
Soon she was fondling my Peter Paul, and Zagnuts
and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I blew my Milk Duds clear to Mars and gave her a taste of the old Milky Way. …
I said, Look … why don’t you just take my Whatchamacallit and slip it up your Bit-O-Honey.
Oh, what a piece of Juicy Fruit she was too.
She screamed Oh, Crackerjack. You’re better than the Three Musketeers!
as I rammed my Ding Dong up her Rocky Road and into her Peanut Butter Cup.
Well, I was giving it to her Good ‘n Plenty,
and all of a sudden, my Starburst. ….
she started to grow a bit Chunky and ….
Sure enough, nine months later, out popped a Baby Ruth.
The Federal Communications Communication held that broadcast by the radio station of such song is INDECENT broadcast and issued the San Diego radio station the Notice of Apparent Liability. KGB, Inc. (KGB-FM), 7 FCC Rcd 3207 (1992), forfeiture reduced 13 FCC Rcd 16396 (1998)(forfeiture paid). See also Great American Television and Radio Company, Inc. (WFBQ(FM)/WNDE(AM)), 6 FCC Rcd 3692, 3693 (MMB 1990) (forfeiture paid) (“While the passages arguably consist of double entendre and indirect references, the language used in each passage was understandable and clearly capable of a specific sexual meaning and, because of the context, the sexual import was inescapable.”); and WIOD, Inc. (WIOD(AM)), 6 FCC Rcd 3704 (MMB 1989) (forfeiture paid)(“notwithstanding the use of candy bar names to symbolize sexual activities, the titillating and pandering nature of the song makes any thought of candy bars peripheral at best’’).
Like “Candy Wrapper” song, CBS Radio’s “Chinese Food” prank call containes double entendre and indirect inferences such as “egg roll” and “gun”.
Worse than “Candy Wrapper”, CBS Radio’s “Chinese Food” contains explicitly references to “naked”, “spicy ass”, “dung”.
I understand that CBS Radio’s hosts do have their constitutional Freedom of Speech, and I understand that they are entitled to play “Chinese Food” and “Candy Wrapper” in the privacy of their own homes 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and even require their teenagers and toddlers to memorize such lyrics and scripts as part of their home education. However, I respectfully request that the FCC remind CBS Radio of its regulatory obligations under the Communications Act of 1934 and Public Telecommunications Act of 1992, as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Pacifica Foundation and other federal court decisions. I should have a choice as to whether I want to voluntarily expose myself to “Candy Wrapper” or “Chinese Food” in my own home, or not be involuntarily be forced to be exposed to “Candy Wrapper” or “Chinese Food”.
Given FCC’s decision in “Candy Wrapper”, it is clear that FCC should also sanction CBS Radio for its INDECENT broadcast of “Chinese Food.” “
I hereby respectfully request that the FCC exercises its regulatory jurisdiction and conduct a prompt and thorough investigation and sanction CBS Radio accordingly.
BenBenXiong said,
May 2, 2007 at 9:48 pm
CBS Radio’s Broadcast and Re-Broadcast of “Chinese Food” Prank Call
As you can see from the transcript of CBS Radio’s broadcast, which FCC has received from other complainants who are concerned that children are being excessively exposed to INDECENT, OBSCENE and PROFANE broadcast by radio stations, contains many words which, given the context of the 6-minute broadcast and re-broadcast of “Chinese Food” prank call during noontime and in the afternoon, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards in violation of FCC indecency regulations. Such INDECENT words, include, without limitation, the following:
“naked”
“spicy ass”
“tap her ass”
“Asian girl”
“gun”
“egg roll”
“dung”
“bitch”
BenBenXiong said,
May 2, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Re: My complaint to the FCC against CBS Radio for its broadcast and re-broadcast of “Chinese Food” prank call
To: Federal Communications Commission
Enforcement Bureau
Investigations and Hearings Division
Room 4-C330
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554
E-mail: fccinfo@fcc.gov
I am sending this e-mail (and a copy of the e-mail printout by regular mail) to the Federal Communications Commission as my complaint against CBS Radio on the ground that its radio broadcast on “Chinese Food” prank call contains INDECENT material in contravention of FCC rules and regulations.
Reasonable Restrictions on Broadcast of Indecent Material
The FCC has defined broadcast indecency as “language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities.” Indecent programming contains patently offensive sexual or excretory material that does not rise to the level of obscenity.
The courts have held that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely. It may, however, be restricted in order to avoid its broadcast during times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. Consistent with a federal indecency statute and federal court decisions interpreting the statute, the Commission adopted a rule that broadcasts — both on television and radio — that fit within the indecency definition and that are aired between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. are prohibited and subject to indecency enforcement action.
jm said,
May 10, 2007 at 1:48 am
Sorry if this will offend but a joke I heard many years ago was “What is the shortest book in the library? Answer: A history of German Humor” Make your own inferences. To the writer above: How is naked obscene? Or Asian girl? Or dung or gun? The skit was juvenile and silly, yes. Obscene, NO! Lighten up and use your considerable legal talents for something that might save a life or two (look up Darfur and how Chinese investment in Sudan oil equals the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocents) instead of opening a tiny can of worms!!!!!!!!!!
humpy said,
May 10, 2007 at 6:33 am
hey, let’s look at how pax amerikkkana is killing hundreds of iraqi civilians everyday before we talk about chinese involvement in the sudan. *rolleyes*
likopinko said,
September 10, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Hello
Perfect work!
G’night