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October 10, 2019 9:08 am  #1


Sauga 960 Adds On Air Disclaimer Warning To One Of Its Shows

This is the first time I've heard this on any Sauga 960 program - an on-air disclaimer aired before The Marc Patrone Show that the views expressed in the following show do not necessarily represent the management or ownership of Sauga 960.

For those who've never heard it, the former CTV reporter and CRTC Commissioner is a pretty rabid pro-Conservative host, who openly campaigns for the ouster of the current government. 

I don't want this to turn into another political harangue here, but I can't help but wonder if they've gotten enough complaints about his show that caused them to add the warning. Whatever the reason, these things don't happen by accident. 

 

October 10, 2019 3:29 pm  #2


Re: Sauga 960 Adds On Air Disclaimer Warning To One Of Its Shows

The "disclaimer" won't work (legally). This is "broadcast regulatory law 101."    During an election campaign, broadcasters -that is the licensee (not the hosts) are ultimately responsible for ensuring there is a balance in the presentation of viewpoints on political issues.  That doesn't mean you have to "pull" a host, but it does mean that there could be an audit of positions taken on air, candidates who receive airtime etc.   If for example, a high percentage of time, on one side of the ledger was "pro-conservative" due to a host's comments, and there wasn't some equality of other expression, on the air, then there may be a problem.  The regulator will also, look at the time(s) of day counter-vailing (balance) was aired.  If the broadcaster ran other political viewpoints at 11:30 pm, that could be a problem...if the host's comments were in peak time periods.

This is not conjecture, it actually happens.  It happens most often in BC where some fringe candidates complain about lack of balance.  The question is, whether anyone listening to the station would feel compelled to complain to the CRTC and what, if anything the management is doing to provide real balance to Patrone's comments.

 

October 10, 2019 4:28 pm  #3


Re: Sauga 960 Adds On Air Disclaimer Warning To One Of Its Shows

That's very interesting, tvguy. Thank you.  Does that mean some News/Talk stations might be in trouble if there was ever any diligent/official monitoring? 

 

October 11, 2019 9:00 am  #4


Re: Sauga 960 Adds On Air Disclaimer Warning To One Of Its Shows

tvguy wrote:

The "disclaimer" won't work (legally). This is "broadcast regulatory law 101."    During an election campaign, broadcasters -that is the licensee (not the hosts) are ultimately responsible for ensuring there is a balance in the presentation of viewpoints on political issues.  That doesn't mean you have to "pull" a host, but it does mean that there could be an audit of positions taken on air, candidates who receive airtime etc.   If for example, a high percentage of time, on one side of the ledger was "pro-conservative" due to a host's comments, and there wasn't some equality of other expression, on the air, then there may be a problem.  The regulator will also, look at the time(s) of day counter-vailing (balance) was aired.  If the broadcaster ran other political viewpoints at 11:30 pm, that could be a problem...if the host's comments were in peak time periods.

This is not conjecture, it actually happens.  It happens most often in BC where some fringe candidates complain about lack of balance.  The question is, whether anyone listening to the station would feel compelled to complain to the CRTC and what, if anything the management is doing to provide real balance to Patrone's comments.

You'd think a former CRTC Commissioner would know the rules. 
 

 

October 11, 2019 9:59 am  #5


Re: Sauga 960 Adds On Air Disclaimer Warning To One Of Its Shows

The point of the disclaimer is more to limit complaints, and possible issue with clients towards management and the station.

As well, as long as their is balance on the station, having one PRO CONSERVATIVE talk show isn't going to cost you a licence.  You just have to ensure equal time is given to both sides over the weekly/daily schedule.    Talk shows are better when opinionated vs the host playing safe to not offend anyone.  Safe shows never last, and normally don't perform.   NEWS on the other hand is required to be balanced and should not be opinionated.   That a different discussion.   

 

October 11, 2019 10:11 am  #6


Re: Sauga 960 Adds On Air Disclaimer Warning To One Of Its Shows

That won't be a problem for Sauga 960. They don't have any newscasts, which is odd for a station that describes its format as "News Talk."

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