I was sorry to hear about the departure of Republican talk show host, Ken Pittman from WBSM in Fairhaven, MA (1420 AM). Ken’s audience consisted of a small but vibrant political constituency in the greater New Bedford area and his presence will be missed on the local scene.
The decision to remove Ken from the stations lineup was apparently a business decision made by the corporate ownership to make room for a new syndicated program hosted by former Arkansas Governor and 2008 GOP Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who will in all likely hood fill a need for the views of a true social conservative and evangelical Christian, which has been absent from the region for as long as I can remember.
Ken and I had our differences during the 2010 Republican primary campaign on various Massachusetts political blogs in which his comments could be quite cutting and insulting at times as is quite typical of the rhetoric commonly used in the blogosphere, which I must admit I sometimes fall into myself, yet his demeanor on his radio show always seemed much more cordial to me. Of course there were times when he held the feet of his debate opponents to the fire in a way in which Democrats are not use to on the Massachusetts South Coast as he did to Congressman Barney Frank and many local politicians and liberal media personnel on more than one occasion.
Yesterday the phone lines were abuzz on WBSM with furious callers outraged that an accomodation could not have been made to keep Ken in the stations lineup as apparently was made for the rest of their staff. Many felt that there was more to the story than the station's management was admitting. City Councillor Brian Gomes, himself a victim of Pittman's critical attacks over the years cited that his show filled a need for coverage of topics with a local flavor and remarked on the station's history of providing local talk shows, which is true. In fact, the first radio talk show I ever heard was "Openline" on WBSM hosted by Hal Peterson in the 1950's and I've enjoyed that format ever since. It's a shame Ken has to leave but we wish him the best in his future endeavors
If you'd like to express your opinion to the management of WBSM about their decision to remove Ken Pittman from the station's lineup of broadcasters, you may call them on the business line at (508)993-1767 or on the "Openline" at (508)996-0500.
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Cumulus Media Sells WBSM May 2, 2012
Since the above post was first published, radio station WBSM, 1420 AM has been sold to Townsquare Media of Greenwich, RI, opening an opportunity for Ken, I would think, to mobilize his vast army of supporters to pressure the new owners to give Ken his job back. For more info on the sale as well as the void that has occurred at WBSM since Ken was fired and the inadequacy of their present coverage of local issues go to my latest post entitled RadioStation WBSM, 1420 AM Sold Again
Ken's a rightwing hack with a very shallow understanding of public policy issues. Glad he's finally gone.
ReplyDeleteSorry but you can accuse Pittman of many things, being guilty of a lack of understanding of public policy? That alone is an incomplete sentence, never mind a coherent thought. I think you should become more educated in politics before you lob stupid and novice insults at a guy who would eat your breakfast, intellectually speaking.
Deletei was interviewed by him several times and he couldn't have been more conceited or rude. good decision, wbsm.
ReplyDeleteI was interviewed by him on the planet Jupiter. I offer as much proof as the idiot above me.
DeleteKen is one true american. He is diplomatic and balanced in his reporting. If there is an issue that both sides need to be heard, he brings in both sides.
ReplyDeleteTo the "Anoymous coward" commenting on public issues, study a little more about the U.S. Constitution. Find out the principals onto which our country was founded. Then you'll see America needs guys like Ken Pitman to make sure that public policy (law making) remains in the public eye, not behind closed doors.
Hans Doherty.
this to anonymous ken was the best thing for this area he told it like it was and if people didn't like his views they could change the channel and not listen to him but to say he was a hack is dead wrong.
ReplyDeleteRght wing hack? I don't know any but I know any but I do know hundreds of left wIng hacks that DO NOTHING BUT LIE AND PUSH THEIR PROGRESSIVE AGENDA! I feel sorry for the sheep that follow the liberal communist agenda! Ken I listened to your show every day fo the last 7 years, now i have no reason to listen to WBSM.
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida and I listen to The Ken Pittman show everyday (Online)to get my fill of Mass politics. I no longer have a reason to listen to WBSM!
ReplyDeletePittman's inability to speak Austrian-accented German was beginning to hold him back professionally. He will not be missed.
ReplyDelete