WGTB Panel Takes Control Station Directors Parish Restricts Disenfranchised Editorial Policy by Mark Mcadams by Ted J

Special Edition

Exam Issue GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C. WGTB Panel Takes Control Station Directors Parish Restricts Disenfranchised Editorial Policy by Mark McAdams by Ted J. Sudol In an effort to give the General Manager of the Georgetown's Alternative Radio Station station more control over station programming WGTB·FM hac; been ordered by the University's policy, the WGTB Review Board reduced the Review Board that "all records now requiring station's board of directors, who had previously had sensitive language disclaimers will not be aired and one vote each to the station manager's two, to an requests for exceptions must be brought before the advisory group. Mary Parish, chairman of the board," a station spokesman reported Wednesday Review Board, pointed out, "As far as the FCC is evening. concerned, the manager is ultimately responsible for The board empaneled by University President everything that goes on at the station. When Rev. Robert J. Henle, SJ, last June "to manage the something goes wrong the FCC doesn't call in a station and advise the Director" also told station whole group of people; they call in the station officials that "records with sensitive language manager." bleeped out will not be played either, but are Although the decision is in effect at this time, negotiable," the director continued. there seems to be a question as to whether the WGTB Administrative Assistant Geri Calkins said Review Board's decision is final. in an interview that approximately 300 songs would Parish said, "We've been given a mandate by the have to be cut from their programming. She stated .~ President to run the station and all directives of the "Georgetown legal counsel and the Federal Com Review Board stand unless vetoed bv the Presi- munications Commission who approved our sensi dent." . tive language policy, have never given us any indications that we are doing anything wrong." /4, ', ~ GTB Directors plan to appeal the Review Board's decision to Father Henle although WGTB News Acting General Manager Mary Parish explained Mary Parish, Acting General Manager of Station WGTB yesterday "the Review Board stand is that sensitive Director Jude Franco admitted "We don't think we'll have much success." language records are no longer to be aired; we feel there is no need to air them because it is clear the Sleeman Barred From Station Parish also added that the radio station might be FCC is becoming more stringent in dealing with considered a student activity, and that the Review Board's suggestion may need the approval of Stu ClaimsWholesale Censorship dent Activities Director Jeff Fogelson. Fogelson isn't sure whether or not it's his decision, but does by Jim Colaprico say that if he has to decide he will "go along with On the same day that he announced his intentions to appeal his what the Review Board said." dismissal, former WGTB General Manager Ken Sleeman was directed "not to be at the station at all until proper grievance procedures have Franco feels that the review board's decision is been followed." The order came from acting Station Manager Mary going "to take the radio station right from under Parish, who further ruled that her predecessor "does not have a radio our feet. We no longer have any say in the future of the station." show" on the. station.., Among a number of charges filed . The radio station s Board of by Sleeman, he contended that Mary Parish said, "Through our council, we have Directors mad~ a formal appeal to the university failed to give him found that we are in very grave danger of not the WGTB R~vlew ~oard,.Wednes. the two weeks official notice that getting our license back. I keep hearing all these day, to ~onslder rems.t~tmg Slee- it is required to give all employees claims about violating first amendment rights when man t~ his former position and to prior to their being fired. This they don't even realize that there may not be any recognize .Sleeman as a volunteer provision is set down in the radio station at all. We're coming out the heavies in at the stall.on.. University's Staff Personnel Hand. this whole thing because nobody seems to under According to station spokes. book. Sleeman's notice of dis. stand that our license is in big trouble." men, the Board declined to decide missal was dated December 8 The Federal Communications Commission is the question of recognizing Slee- 1975. Parish refused to comment presently considering the question of how much m~n's volunteer status until the on this and any other aspect of control the licensee of an educational station must gnpvance committee has made its Sleeman's appeal. exercise over that station. An FCC official involved r-commendauons. If Sleeman is He also contended that the in the GTB case explained that problems over a lack not rein~tated at that t.ime, the dismissal notice "fails to give any of control by the licensee occur when the lack of -FM Boa.r~ Will then reconsider rec- specific grounds for the action." control is such that it results in frequent violations Ken Sleeman, former General Manager of WGTB ogOlzmg that status. In an interview earlier this week of FCC policy. This question is one of the matters them. The board has expressed their willingness to "He's not to be on the air until the administrators who made the being studied by FCC committee considering the grant exceptions for songs that have some value. WI' get a decision from the dismissal decision, Parish, Vice renewal of GTB's license. other than sensationalistic." gripvance committee. If he was President for Student Develop Jude Franco sees the new power structure as allowed to remain on the air, it ment Dr. Patricia Rueckel, Asso Student Senator Rich Haas (SBA'77), the only "definitely undemocratic." She contends that "the student representative on the six-member Review might be construed by some to be ciate Dean of Students William University is out for their own self interest. They an advocacy broadcast," Parish Schuerman and Student Activities Board, commented after the Wednesday meeting want total control of the station. They don't care that the record ban was "a necessary step in proving said. Sleeman, in an interview at Director Jeff Fogelson, charged about the other opinions here." his home, called Parish's actions Sleeman with failure to exert to the FCC that we are doing something positive. "Wholesale censorship." adequate control over the station. Franco sees the Review Board's move as "a long Another complaint can seriously jeopardize the The former Station Manager The group specifically cited the term controversy," adding that "the directors are license." earlier in the day submitted to Free Clinic public service an not going to readily accept the Board's decision." The FCC has used the Pacifica case when dealing P~sh and University Secretary nouncement controversy, an incl Mentioning WGTB's reputation as a community with sensitive language questions, but recently the Ylrginia Keeler his Cormal appeal, dent concerning neighborhood oriented alternative radio station, Franco said, "We issue has been appeaJed to the courts. Many stations are presently awaiting a decision before forming any In accordance with the University complaints about the language seriously question the University's concerns Cor the -employee grievance procedure. (Continued on page 4) community." (Continued on page 3) Page 2 The HOVA Friday, December 12,1975 editolial

r~....." ~, ~® On Totem and Taboo () I• '! One has to grant that the Univcrsity Iangu.lgc had yet t () be decided by the legally has the authority t o make :\lar)' courts. In the second place, the guidelines Parish the Acting General Manager. and she set by the FCC were quite specific as to can legally ban what she w.mts. But one what words were taboo and under what cannot pretend that this makes it any less conditions. FCC's objection was only to transparent that Parish is not a rightful really shows broadcast when there were likely to station manager, but an administrator who be children in the listening audience. This still is directed by the Office of Student certainly docs not justify a ban on all Development. There is validity to demands that more records containing sensitive languages at all students should be involved in GTB but not times, even in the most paranoid of minds. It the question at hand. The latest series of is important to note that complaints by the directives do nothing to increase student public arc not violations but merely com involvement in GTB and in fact were never plaints. intended to. Finally the University itself has stood by The question involves nothing but the the station's disclaimer policy. In a letter of University interfering with programming and October 23 University Secretary Virginia policy decisions of GTB. Keeler responded to an FCC inquiry into the "You're making a tempest out of a language used in a GTB broadcast by stating teapot," the University says. "Nobody is that the University felt that the disclaimer trying to stomp on GTB," Parish assures the had provided adequate assurance that there ,ostIum student body. The assurance is no good. were no children in the audience. This was If there were any doubt as to where her written well after the WBAl ruling and was I am taking this opportunity to clarify some of the issues that have true loyalty lies, Parish moved quickly to in response to the latest complaint in GTB's been raised over the last lew days concerning the termination of Mr. end it. Within less than a week of Parish FCC file. Kenneth Sleeman and the future directions of WGTB. taking over, the University has barred I realize that there are many questions about the details surrounding What is important is that the University is the termination. I am sorry that I cannot expand on these at this time. ex-station manager Ken Sleeman from the using their troubles with the FCC to justify My silence is necessary because Mr. Sleeman has begun grievance air, emasculated WGTB's Board of Directors, proceedings through the University. While he may be willing to its bannings in the name of necessity. Yes, it banned the station from commenting in the jeopardize those proceedings by publicly discussing these issues, we are internal situation, and prohibited the station is of primary importance that the license be not. At an appropriate time these details will be made public. from playing records that require disclaimers retained and it may be true that the license Of utmost importance at this for "sensitive language." is in as much trouble as University officials point in my mind and in the minds are crying, though GTB's complaint file at of the members of the WGTB These dictates arc tutally unacceptable. Board of Review is that we must There is no case for the University telling the FCC does not seem ot justify this maintain our broadcasting license. GTB what records to pl.iv as long as they contention. Even if it is, the actions the Without that license we are left don't violate FCC regulations. University had taken are not ncces<;;lIT to with no radio-alternative or other Also, the University should not be telling wise. All of our actions to this save the license. point have been taken with that in GTB what they c.tn Of cannot comment on When they are viewed in that light it is mind. or when they can run these comments. It Both the University's communi- makes no difference if the University feels dear t hat they amount to nothing more than cation attorney and the communi the comments are misguided, unflattering, or an at tempt to silcncc programming that has .. ~,' ,cation attorney who sits on the repetitious and unnecessary. Such action is been an embarrassment to the University Board of Review have assured us through their professional contacts clc.uly interference with the station's pro and to impose its tastes on GTB and the that our license is in grave danger. gLlmmmg. listening public. As licensee the) have the FCC regulations require that the { ~ In we case of the banning of records power to make every decision from firing 'licensee exercise responsible control requiring disclaimers, the FCC scare being Sleeman to banning records but they have over its station. Unfortunately, how well Georgetown University has handled that responsibility is now in question. thrown up by the University is questionable. no place in even a semi-open society. The A great number of rumors have begun over possible program changes In the first place the famed WBAI (Pacifica) decisions should be reversed, the WGTB and alleged censorship. I would like to speak of these rumors. The case is being appealed; in their written Board of Directors should be given back following things have not been done: decision the FCC states that it had decided control of the station's programming, and 1. The concept of alternative radio has not been altered in any way. not to take any action against the station Mary Parish should be removed as Acting 2. No regular program has been removed from the air. because their guidelines concerning indecent General Manager. 3. No public service announcement at any time was ordered to be removed from the air. The following things have been done: 1. Steps have been taken to remove from the air specific salacious material which might result in further complaints against our license being filed with the FCC. A licensee exercising responsible control must not be construed as censorship. 2. Ken Sleeman has been removed from the air pending the outcome of a University grievance procedure. 3. The Review Board has decided that WGTB will broadcast all This is a special exam issue covering recent events concerning the status of WGTB-Fl\t. • Hoya basketball games. Contributing are: Lou Anne Bulik,Jay Carroll, Jim Colaprico, Lou DeMille, Greg Kitsock, Mark 4. The Review Board has assumed full managerial responsibility in McAdams, Wayne Saitta, Ted Sudol, Barry Wiegand. line with its mandate and has directed me as Acting General The next issue of the HOYA will come out January 15, 1976. Manager to implement its decisions. It is clear that the future of WGTB-its programming, its format, its The HOYA is published each week of the acadenuc year (with the exception of holidays and e xamtnauon periods). Subscription rate: '7.1)0 per year. Address all correspondence to The HOYA. Georaetown direction and its role in the University community will be thoroughly University. Washinet.on. D.C. 20056. Telephone (202) 625-4554. The HOY A 15 composed at Polygraphic examined and determined by the Board of Review. Composition Corp.• Washington. D.C.• and is printed at the Northern Virpnia Sun. Arlington. Virginia. The past few days have not been easy for any of us-not for me, not The writing. articles. layout. pictures and format are the responsibuitv of the Board of Editors and do not for the Review Board and certainly not for the staff of WGTB. necessarily represent the Views of the Administration. Jo'aculty and Students of the University unless Contrary to popular belief, I am not AttHa the Hun. I want us to have a specifically stated. Signed columns represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarilY reflect thf' editorial position of this newspaper. The University subllCribes to the pnnciple of responsible freedom of good, professionally run radio station. To have that we must first expression for our student editors. maintain our FCC license-that's all I'm trying to do. -Mary Pansn Friday, December 12, 1975 The HOYA Page 3 GTB License Under Investigation ,FCC Considers Sensitive Language by Wayne Saitla that was required of him and brought to FCC against WBAI. pict sexual and excretory activi WGTB's license remains in more. He fired people that vio after the station had aired a ties and organs in a manner limbo, as it awaits renewal by the lated regulations on the air." comedy routine entitled "Filthy patently offensive by contempo Federal Communications Commis FCC officials confirmed that Words" which included many rary community standards for the sion, The FCC currently is investi GTB's record of complaints and such words. The commission broadcast medium are accordingly gating complaints filed against the possible violations is presently. found the station in violation of 'indecent' when broadcast on station, whose license expired under study but would not FCC regulations, although the radio or television." October 1 of this year. Renewal speculate as to the chances of the station ran a disclaimer informing The decision, the most defini of the license will not be decided license being renewed. listeners that the broadcast "in. tive on the matter to date, is until the investigation is com Most the the complaints filed eluded sensitive language which presently being appealed to the pleted. This should take about against GTB have concerned sensi might be regarded as offensive to courts by WBAI. If the appeal is two or three months, an FCC tive language used by the stations some." successful the policy of running Official said in an interview in some of its programs. By the In its decision the Commission disclaimers will satisfy federal Gerri Calkins, Assistant to the · yesterday. provisions of criminal code 18 concluded that words which "de- regulations. General Manager of WGTB University officials have said USC 1464, it is illegal to "utter that one of the reasons Station any obscene, indecent, or profane Manager Ken Sleeman was fired language by means of radio was the troubles the station is communications." Basketball Broadcasts Start; l·~ h a V i n g with the FCC. In the letter The latest complaint filed in which Sleeman was notified of against GTB concerned sensitive · his dismissal, the University language used in a Sept. 23 ~harged him with "repeated fail broadcast. The station had run a Change In Format Possible -ures to exercise proper control disclaimer before and after the by Lou DeMille games were to be broadcast over good time to appeal for a · over the operation of the station broadcast informing listeners that WGTB began complying with the 90.1 FM station, with WGTB broadcaster of our choice rather ~n conformity with the duties sensitive language would be aired. their Review Board's decision to fully cooperating with the George than Chvotkin (the present r ,« idelegated to you by the Univer The station maintained that the broadcast all Georgetown Univer town Athletic Director Frank broadcaster) and also raise the slty as licensee." disclaimer satisfied federal regula sity basketball games last Satur Rienzo and his department. idea of airing Women's Basketball WGTB Acting General Manager tions. day when they aired the St. Ken Sleeman at first proposed along with the men's". ·Mary Parish said that the FCC had University Secretary Virginia Bonaventure game. to begin conducting auditions to Because of WGTB's past lack complained that the University as Keeler responded to the FCC Throughout the semester, Sta find qualified announcers. A prob of interest to air basketball the icensee was not exercising enough inquiry into the matter with a tion General Manager Ken Slee lem with acquiring phone lines Athletic Department began seek .ontrol over the station. Parish letter on Oct. 23 of this year, man had declined to air the Hoya over which to broadcast the game ing commercial stations during added that the University was stating "The licensee feels ade basketball games over their "alter plus time needed to conduct October of 1973, by approaching Iworried that the "FCC would quate safeguards were taken to native radio" frequency, until the auditions would have made it WHMC of Gaithersburg, Maryland · evoke license because of the ensure that children were not GTB review board directed him to impossible for WGTB to comply with the exclusive rights to sensitive language." present in the listening audience do so. with the Saturday night deadline. broadcast the Hilltop games. The · Assistant to the General Man- in significant numbers." The FCC Last Wednesday the Review Because of these complications entire deal, which would also have ager Gerri Calkins disagreed, say took no action on the matter. Board, headed by Chairman Mary Mary Parish ordered a directive permitted WGTB-AM to hook ng, "He (Sleeman) did everything A case for similar violation was Parish, ordered that all basketball providing the Athletic Depart into the line, fell through when ment with the responsibility to WHMC lost its license because select their own announcers. of "technical difficulties". Rienzo expressed the belief Last year after plans had been that since the Athletic Depart broken off with WAVA, which ment is providing for the broad broadcasts the George Washington cast expenses, Parish's directive games, the Athletic department should stand Approximately secured a "package deal" for till' $1300 will be appropriated from airwaves of WOOK with Rich the basketball budget for tele Chvotkin providing the play by Center Cafe phone and announcer expenses play cornmentary. But this year for the eleven away contests. with WOOK losing its license and Rienzo will meet with WGTB a possible deal with WXRA nixed sometime next week in order to because of an "inability to sell NewHours for Finals determine the programming for airtime," having no other option, the remainder of the season. the Georgetown basketball pro According to Gerri Calkins, the gram once again flew to the meeting might "prove to be a WGTn airwaves. Mon-Fri. 8:00 am - 2:00 am Commentary Labeled Sat.-Sun. 10:00 am - 2:00 am A IMemorial Service' sarily reflect those of the station. (Continued from page 1) WGTB can schedule air-time for internal policies for then parti press releases on the recent cular stations. And now lor something actions, and they can respond to Music Director Skip Pizzi listeners' questions during Open completely different stressed "we have never had a Forum Broadcasts. problem with our disclaimer policy The evening Sleeman was fired before." After the holidays, the the station held such a forum to station will submit to the Review allow listeners the chance to call Board a list of all songs unsuitable the station to discuss the day's to broadcast according to the action. University dictate, when they ap According to Parish, "Since peal the decision at the first Monday, WGTB has been running January meeting. Breakfast at the Center Cafe a memorial service and I am not This action followed a memo sure that is consistent with what randum from Mary Parish on people want to hear. I feel enough Tuesday in which she ordered all editorializing has been done; I'm staff members of the station to not sure what purpose has been Mon.-Fri. stop editoriallzlng or discussing served. 8:00 am - 10:30 am "internal affairs of WGTB-FM, "If they want to do Open including the subject of Ken Forums, that is fine; it is the Sat.-Sun. 10:00 am - 11:30 am Sleeman's termination." subliminal, insidious and indirect She explained the staff still editorializing that I object to. " would be allowed commentaries She explained "no formal during new-casts and shows, pro search committee has been vided a disclaimer be aired to formed yet" and action will be explain the expressed views are of postponed until Sleeman's griev the speaker and do not neces- ance procedure is completed. -

Page 4 The HOYA Friday, December 12, 1975 SleemanDismissalQuestions GTB Future As Alternative by Barry Wiegand dispute heated up the contro mendations which were adopted During the past six years versy, as WdTB staffers again included the creation of the WGTB has weathered an average claimed that they should not have position of General Manager and a of one major crisis annually, but to run Hoya games. Board of Directors with three displaying the resilience of a super Although Sleeman said they other student members. ball, Georgetown's perennially planned to follow a review board Ken Sleeman, an engineer at controversial FM radio station has directive to run the games, admin WETA, was appointed and held bounced back each time. istrators apparently felt in view of the job until Monday. In the wake of the newest disturbances by GTB staff that Programming disputes have dispute which began last week and they were trying to torpedo the continued since then as the has resulted in the dismissal of the order by not cooperating. station has played the most avant station's professional General Last Friday, the Washington garde rock music, including some Manager Kenneth Sleeman, ques Post carried a story reporting that songs containing language that is tions about the future of GTB's an alternative radio station owned sometimes considered offensive. alternative, progressive rock for by the University of Pennsylvania mat are being raised. had received a $2500 fine for WGTB also has upset many Over the summer University broadcast violations. members of the campus com President the Rev. R.J. Henle, SJ Station staff members feel that munity by its continued reluc created a special oversight panel this may have prompted the tance to broadcast Georgetown WGTB members say that more The concert series last Spring to review the station's activities University to fire Sleeman, with sports games on its FM station. than half of the staff is composed made only a few hundred dollars and to recommend whether 'the the fine compounding resent GTB officials have registered a of students, alumni, consortium and was not a fund raising drive, Georgetown Board of Directors ments over Sleeman's comments number of efforts by campus of University students and em but "marathons" have raised more should sell the license. Fr. Henle to the press and the alleged failure officials to force them to broad ployees, however. than $35,000. The money has gave the station one year to prove to cooperate on broadcasting the cast the games, including repeated Despite these disputes with the been used to expand programming that it conformed to the "reli St. Bonaventure's game. efforts by the Student Senate to University, the station has ap and to hire another paid profes gious and educational" mission of One source who asked not to withhold station funds until the parently managed to retain a sional staff member. the University. be named noted that the adrninis games were broadcast. group of loyal listeners. As the Station officials have pointed WGTB review board members trators who fired Sleeman said Other controversies have re Student Activities budget has to these accomplishments as proof have been told that the FCC is they had received advice from volved around the low number of failed to keep pace with inflation that the station has a greater investigating complaints about the University lawyers. Georgetown undergraduates on and the number of organizations responsibility to the Metropolitan station running songs containing Since then, he said, the Univer the station. Some station critics asking for funds has increased, community and its listeners. How "sensitive or indecent" language. sity has been looking for addi have charged that many or most WGTB, once the largest funded the FCC, the University and the Station officials say the matter tional means to revamp the of the staff are unconnected with activity, has been forced to seek station resolve this question will is purely routine, adding that station which has been anathema the University. outside money. determine WGTB's future. some area stations have their to many members of the George license approval delayed because town community for so long. of staff shortages at the FCC. In the fall of 1970, the year University administrators, al the station adopted its alternative ways concerned about obscenity programming, the station had to complaints and suffering shell defend itself against eight charges shock from a bombardment of circulated around campus alleged alumni complaints about WGTB ly by the station's former manager programming, reacted immedi the Rev. Francis Heyden, SJ and ately to Sleeman's request for chief engineer Arthur Dietz. A information about cooperating special arbitration board with with a clinic which dispenses birth members from the FCC cleared control and abortion referrals. the station of accusations about WGTB staffers interpreted a the new "free-form" format. letter from University Secretary In summer, 1971, University Virginia Keeler which advised President the Rev. R. J. Henle, SJ them against running a public closed WGTB down on July 15 service announcement for the after he had received complaints Washington area Free Clinic as an about programming from Uni order. versity and station officials. After Sleeman informed clinic Henle appointed a special com officials of his interpretation of mittee chaired by Public Relations the move, they were contacted by Director Art Ciervo to investigate local newspapers and television the station. The Ciervo cornmis newsmen, who put Georgetown in sion recommended that the sta the headlines. tion be allowed to broadcast At the same time, the thtee again, but also proposed a new year old basketball broadcast governing structure. The recom- ~tion Attitude Seen As Cause to Problems toward the radio station has to be (Continued from page 1) investigated," Sleeman said. used in a Frank Zappa album When asked to comment on aired over a year ago, and what the University's contention that they felt could have been "a more he has not cooperated with its professional handling of the first directives, he said, "We've obeyed basketball game broadcast this every order no matter how dis year." gusting or unworthy we thought They further noted the "gen they were. We've not disobeyed eral resistance of Sleeman to any directive." realize that he is employed by the Regarding the station's request University." Mentioning that Slee that Sleeman be reinstated, the As a m.mber I und.,.-.nd you will mail m. NAME man viewed the radio station's ties Review Board's answer was "No .ach month an information card on n.xt ADDRESS to the University as "nebulous,' comment." Parish stated that "it I months tape. If I do not want that _I.ction, CITV STATE they expressed that their ties are is not within the Review Board's I mark the appropriate box and mail the card PHONE "strong." power to reinstate Sleeman." "In I back. I will only rec.iVethe _I.ctions that "I'm strenuously opposed to the past, decisions on the granting int.rest m. and I have prepaid for. I under· the University's attitude that the of volunteer status have always I stand the card must b. mail.d back within radio station's an in'house affair. been the right of the station's 10days. It shows that the radio station Board of Directors," the station's I CHECK HERE IF YOU 00 NOTWANT TO doesn't have to be investigated, Administrative Assistant Gerri I..!E ~TmI'L!H~IR~T2!V.Q _ the attitude of the University Calkins said.