WCPT - Cancelled Ben Joravsky

[mikeysnot]

I was out of town when it happened, came back and thought he was on vacation for the week, did not realize it was permanent vacation.

Ben was great, funny and entertaining and he can handle the wrong wingers that called in.

fucking stupid move WCPT.

[Fullduplexxx]

1. They just threw wayne besen out to make room for him

[mikeysnot]

3. I was OK with that.

When wayne was on vacation Ben filled in for him and I was "I wish they would give him his on show." Wayne was terrible debater and engaged in logical fallacies when backed into a corner.

[snowybirdie]

2. Shakeups

at WCTP. Norman Goldman leaving too. They better not cut Stephanie!

[mikeysnot]

4. Well since the change

I have not been listening to his show either. I put my ipod instead at 2 pm.

Where did you hear that from...

[snowybirdie]

5. Saw it on DU

a few days ago

[kacekwl]

6. Noooooo, not Norman.

Chicago radio is the pits lately. Getting worse it now it seems.

[mikeysnot]

8. I turned it on last night

and he was explaining why and when his last day is but I missed the reason he was quitting...

[Stuart G]

10. I found this on the internet...Wikipedia:

I cannot believe Norman is leaving....very sad ...I will miss him..He is a great progressive voice.

A few minutes ago, when I was looking at this thread, that is when I found this out. Just now..I searched around and found this at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Goldman
______________________________________________________________________________________
On February 5, 2019 Norman announced his show was ending in a few weeks, claiming he "went broke". He admitted to spending $2 million dollars of his own money over 9 years propping up the show.

[Snarkoleptic]

7. Here's Ben's "Reader" piece on the subject (Gist- station owner didn't like Ben being anti-Rahm)

https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ben-joravsky-farewell-to-wcpt-but-the-show-must-go-on/Content?oid=65953434

It seems as though the station and I have what you might call a fundamental disagreement over how to cover Chicago mayoral elections. I believe in bringing in all the candidates. Ask them tough questions. Give them time to respond. And then call on other sharp political observers to help you figure out what's really going on—with lots of humor to make the B.S. a little easier to take.

Actually, now that I think about it, I should have seen this coming. Several months ago—well before Rahm said he wasn't running for re-election—a honcho at the station told me I was being too tough on the mayor. "Go easy on Rahm," he said.

I paid no attention—it's a little late to put that genie back in the bottle. Also, I never figured a Chicago journalist would be fired for being too tough on politicians. Man, was I naïve. Guess the Reader spoiled me by letting do my thing for all these years.

On Friday I read WCPT's official explanation for why I was fired—it came in a press release that quoted Pinski. Which I will quote. 'Cause, as every journalist knows, you gotta tell both sides of the story. (By the way, I reached out to Fred for comment and he didn't respond.)

[lunasun]

9. Thanks for posting this link