NHMC Calls Investors to Help Stop Trafficking Hate
Pasadena, CA. — National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is set to send a letter to Clear Channel’s two major investors – Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners – informing them of the riskiness of investing in a business that profits from hate and division, does not comply with its own code of conduct, ethics and diversity policies, and fails to respond to the public that it is licensed to serve, even when vast numbers of its audience raise serious concerns to the Board of Directors.
The letter calls on Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners to encourage Clear Channel to curtail its pattern of hate speech against Latinos and other people of color over Clear Channel’s radio stations. Particularly, NHMC calls for the investors to support removal of infamous Latino haters – John Kobylt and Kenneth Chiampou – from Clear Channel Radio’s KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles.
In May, NHMC and Cúentame delivered over 16,000 signatures to Clear Channel’s Board of Directors, calling on the Board to fire hate pundits John and Ken. In a letter to Clear Channel’s Board, NHMC described how John and Ken fail to comport with Clear Channel’s conduct, ethics and diversity policies. Clear Channel has not responded to the letter.
Also in May, the National Latino Congreso passed a resolution agreeing to patronize companies that refrain from advertising on hate programming such as that on Clear Channel’s The John and Ken Show, and to boycott companies that continue to advertise on such programs. Indeed, The John and Ken Show has lost its advertising deals with over thirty major national advertisers because of the duo’s tendency to spread hate and misinformation about people of color and the LGBT community.
“Responsible corporations are beginning to understand that advertising on Clear Channel Radio is too risky given its company culture of hate profiteering,” stated NHMC’s President and CEO, Alex Nogales. “People of color now comprise 1/3 of all people in the United States and we are fed up with the steady stream of hate and misinformation that Clear Channel Radio stations across the country direct at our communities. Enough is enough! If advertisers want our business, then we ask that they advertise on programs that inform and entertain without promoting hatred and violence.”
“We sent this letter today to educate Clear Channel Radio’s major investors – Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners – that Clear Channel Radio is a risky investment. Clear Channel’s history of race-baiting and trafficking in hate has alienated many would-be listeners, and it’s failure to respond to community outcry raises serious questions as to whether it is fulfilling FCC mandates that dictate that broadcasters serve their local communities,” stated NHMC’s Executive Vice President, Inez González.
Comments