Saturday, December 29, 2018

So Called Progressive Radio Station Making Questionable Moves

They did it again.
Radio station WCPT (AM 820) out of Chicago suddenly announced the firing of political talk show host Ben Joravsky following his daily show on Thursday, December 27.
Benny J as he has been affectionately known by his producer Dennis Schetter (aka Doctor D) and his loyal listeners is also a political columnist for The Reader, a newspaper based in Chicago and is known for his vast knowledge of all things political in the city of Chicago.
Joravsky had to be taken by complete surprise with the WCPT management decision because he signed off on Thursday by stating there would be many follow up interviews and stories surrounding the upcoming Chicago mayoral election (primary in February and expected run off election in April) that has as many as 18 candidates vying for the spot being vacated by the outgoing Rahm Emanuel, who back in September announced he would be not be running for a third term.
Just a few weeks prior to axing Joravsky, the FM (92.5) affiliate for WCPT was sold off to a religious music format. Several years ago, the so called "progressive" radio station also had a 92.7 and 99.9 FM affiliation as well, but those were also sold off.
Joravsky (pictured at right with yours truly) offered more of a localized political gabfest and he regularly held interviews with political candidates and also movers and shakers while he and producer Dennis ridiculed Donald Trump, outgoing Illinois governor (Thank God) Bruce Rauner  and many other right wing nut jobs (including troll callers) with a good dose of humor. Producer Dennis also does a great voice impersonation of Trump and Rauner, but that routine will likely be squelched as management looks to go in a different direction.
A couple of years back, WCPT also unexpectedly got rid of political talker Wayne Besen, who was more involved with national politics on his show, so when Joravsky stepped in as his replacement and emphasized Chicago politics on a regular basis, things clicked and the show was a welcome break from the national view of all things political on the daily broadcast schedule.
With the sheer dominance of right wing political talk shows all across the United States, WCPT has been a refreshing change of venue since it came on the air in 2007 following the departure of Air America radio, which was a champion for left wing style political views.
It's unfortunate this continues to happen, but hopefully the station will remain on the air as it carries the shows of political talkers Bill Press, Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartmann and Norman Goldman as well as Amy Goodman and her news report on a nightly basis. Hal Sparks is on the air on Saturday and is followed by legendary Chicago political reporter Dick Kay (Back on the Beat) with his political views.
There is a big outcry about this decision and while there will be a revolving door of varying hosts for the next few months (coincidence this happens as the Chicago mayoral election is in high gear?) until a replacement is selected, no one will be able to do what Joravsky did or bring the knowledge of  Chicago politics he possesses.
The old saying applies here . . .  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Maybe it is time to change the MANAGEMENT at WCPT-AM 820 in Chicago.
They seem to be wanting to go off in a different direction and that is not a good thing.


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