Joe's Response

In my opinion, Air America should not have fired her. The things she said about Hilary Clinton was said off the air, therefore had nothing to do with them. Ok, maybe a suspension or something would have been a little more appropriate, but firing her was way to harsh.

I feel that since she was fired for saying something, that yeah.. it kind of is a violation of free speech. I know that she should monitor what she says being in the public eye and what not, but still, she is entitled to say whatever she wants, and she clearly was punished for doing just that.

If I were a broadcaster i would avoid talking negatively about anyone, especially someone who could potentially be our next president. Plus there is a time and place to let an opinion like that come out. I try to build bridges, not burn them. 

Response to Air American.....

Q1: I think that Air America should halt her show for a period of time and this is the penalty for her. Ending her employment is too much. But I think it is just a common action for the stations/companies, especially in China. If somebody says something that is offensive to other people or organizations, he/she might get fired immediately.

Q2 : For me, it’s really a tough question. I would like to say that it is a violation of free speech because the public sphere in America is so open and tolerant and every kind of opinions can find their ways to be conveyed. However, for me, this kind of comments and so-called comedy shows make me feel uncomfortable. I don’t feel like hearing a host in a nationally show liken somebody to a prostitute. It’s silly and out of joint of the ethic standard.

Q3: No. I would not deliver a comment like that! As a journalist or a person work for the media, it’s necessary to be cautious and sensitive of our sayings. Using proper words is a way of showing your professional skill in this field.

I feel that it unnecessary to fire Randi Rhodes due to a comment she made out of her work environment. However I do feel that a suspension fits her act. As a radio host no matter where you are I believe that people always use your voice as source for information. By slandering someone in the position of Hillary Clition you can affect the way other people perceive her. Although this country thrives on freedom of speech, I believe that people in the position of Randi should always be aware of what they say.

I do believe that firing her is violation on freedom of speech especially due to the fact it took place out of the work area. But if lewd remarks suck as hers go away unpunished, citizens may look at our government as a one that accepts lawlessness.

If I was a broadcaster I wouldn’t have delivered comments like that. As I have stated the job of a journalist is to deliver news to the public. Saying inappropriate comments like that can’t go overlooked.

Question 1: Air America suspended Randi Rhodes after her comedy act was posted on YouTube on April 3rd. Randi Rhodes on April 9th announced she was leaving Air America to move to another radio network -- Nova M Radio. Her comments "Geraldine Ferraro turned out to be David Duke in drag... What a whore Geraldine Ferraro is! She's such a f----ing whore! I want to see her have to stand beside her husband at one of those mandatory 'I have sinned against you; I'm a whore' kind of a press conference. Mr. Ferraro should have to stand next to his whore of a wife... Hillary is a big f----ing whore, too." was made during a comedy act. I don't think Air America should have indefinitely suspended her inappropriate comments. I also think Air America is taking this to the next step-- even though she just announced today ((April 11th 2008)) that she was going to Nova M Radio, Air America already took down Ms. Rhodes section of the messages boards, all her show archives, and other things.

Question 2: Yes I believe this is a violation of freedom of speech. When the comments were made she did them during a comedy act not during her radio show. In the end I really thing Air America is just over reacting.

Question 3: I don’t think I would ever say anything like that especially as a broadcaster. You have to watch everything you say. It’s like all your comments are under a magnified glass and one wrong word or comment and you are out of a job. I wouldn’t want to lose my job over a comment like that.

Hello CEI !

Hello CEI,

Randi Rodes, a former Air America host lost her job due to some remarks she made about Senator Clinton that surfaced on YouTube.

Please conduct your research on-line to become more familiar with the story. I have provided one for you.

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK OF 4.8.2008:

Do you feel that Air America should have continued her employment, or are they justified for letting her go for something she said off-air?

In your opinion is this a violation of free speech, why or why not?

Would you have deliver a comment at an event, in that context, in public setting as a broadcaster? Why, or why not?


Good luck and thank you.

~ JM



The radio host Randi Rhodes has ended her employment with Air America, the liberal radio network, it said Thursday, leaving the network with a three-hour hole in its afternoon schedule. Ms. Rhodes, who was host of the nationally syndicated “Randi Rhodes Show,” was suspended a week ago after a video of her making disparaging remarks about Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton surfaced on YouTube. Ms. Rhodes, left, used vulgar language to liken Ms. Clinton to a prostitute at an event sponsored by KKGN, the Air America affiliate in San Francisco, on March 22. In a statement the Air America chairman, Charlie Kireker, and the company president, Mark Green, said Ms. Rhodes had chosen to terminate her employment. She hosted the 3-to-6 p.m. hours for Air America, and the network did not say who would take her place, although the possibilities include Sam Seder, a Sunday host. “We will soon announce exciting new talent and programming that will accelerate Air America’s growth in the future,” the officials’ statement said. Ms. Rhodes, however, will be back on the air soon, at least in one market. John Scott, the program director of KKGN, said on its Web site that Ms. Rhodes would join his station on April 14.

repsponse to DJ

If a disk jockey made a comment about my neighborhood I would take it very personal. Disk Jockeys are often the voice of a community and people we often rely on what they say over the air as a source of valid information. My initial reaction would be to make sure that the Dj would be suspended temporarily from the show as well as giving an on air apology to the people who were offended by the comments made. I don’t feel that randy’s discipline was enough. I don’t feel that he understood the seriousness of his actions.

repsponse to DJ

If a disk jockey made a comment about my neighborhood I would take it very personal. Disk Jockeys are often the voice of a community and people we often rely on what they say over the air as a source of valid information. My initial reaction would be to make sure that the Dj would be suspended temporarily from the show as well as giving an on air apology to the people who were offended by the comments made. I don’t feel that randy’s discipline was enough. I don’t feel that he understood the seriousness of his actions.