Friday, May 14, 2004

The definition of Tact

Dictionary.com: Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others, including the ability to speak or act without offending.

Now I'm not saying that everyone needs to be tactful, not at all, people should be free to speak their minds. But this is completely unacceptable. As a radio DJ you have the responsibility of being mindful of your audience, who in this case, is middle school and high school kids. If you wanna make fun of the tragedy surrounding Nick Berg, fine, be a prick, but to play the audio of the beheading on the radio while laughing and adding instruments, that crosses the line. That station has always sucked anyway.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Two Portland disc jockeys were fired from a local radio station after playing an audiotape of the beheading of American Nick Berg by Iraqi militants, and cracking jokes about the grisly death.

The DJs, known as Marconi and Tiny, were fired Thursday afternoon from their morning show perch at KNRK-FM, which is owned by Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based Entercom Communications Corp. Station employees would not release the legal names of the DJs.

Listeners who heard Berg's bloodcurdling screams in the audio broadcast, followed by the two DJs laughing and playing musical accompaniments, immediately called the station to complain.

One of the DJs apologized on his Web site, posting a statement that read, "I have become so numb to the horrific things that happen in this world that I sometimes forget there are still people who feel. I in no way meant to be insensitive to anyone. My comments on this were inapropriate (sic)."

No shit, asshole.