KFI debuts diversity programming moves

Under fire for the recent comments on the “John & Ken” show, Clear Channel Los Angeles has made the first moves to diversify its on-air lineup.

Two new weekend shows have taken to the station’s airwaves, hosted by David Cruz and Mo O’Kelly. The introductions of the new shows are the first fulfillment of the commitment that KFI management made several weeks ago after meeting with LA African-American community leaders. Clear Channel Market Manager Greg Ashlock, KFI Program Director Robin Bertolucci and Marketing Director Neil Saavedra had pledged to audition for a diverse group of local hosts and guests. That has now led to two new shows. This is a rare and laudable initiative by a talk station to diversify its talent roster and its audience. I hope it works!” said a note to RBR-TVBR from David Honig, Executive Director of the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council.

In contrast, National Hispanic Media Coalition President and CEO, Alex Nogales said: "It appears that [Jack Messmer] has failed to contact anyone in the Los Angeles community regarding this Los Angeles station. Instead he relies on David Honig's assessment of the situation. David Honig is a Washington, DC insider -- he is not a member of the Los Angeles community and, in this case, he does not represent our interests. His claim that this move is 'rare and laudable' is fatuous and I've taken David to task over it. Although I am happy to see two more people of color on Los Angeles' airwaves, let's be clear about one thing: adding Cruz and O'Kelly to KFI only on weekends when hot levels (the number of people listening) are immensely small is tokenism, at best. This has been done before and these slots have not led to weekday shows with large audiences and meaningful compensation. Clear Channel's move is cynical and underhanded and does nothing to alleviate KFI and Clear Channel Radio's pattern of hate against people of color, LGBT people, women and others. KFI haters John and Ken, Rush Limbaugh and Bill Handel air every weekday to large audiences, but nobody listens to KFI on the weekends. This in no way makes up for the regular menu of hate that KFI and Clear Channel serve up weekly. KFI is throwing us scraps and expecting us to smile and pat them on the back. But in a community as diverse as Los Angeles, where 2/3 of all residents are people of color, we deserve better. John and Ken must go! And if KFI and Clear Channel are serious about diversity and inclusion, which I suspect they are not, they should feature women and people of color at times when the community is actually listening."