Saskatoon radio station responds to concerns of anti-Ukrainian racial stereotyping

December 30, 2005 -- Thank you for the opportunity to reply to the article on your website dated December 22nd entitled “Saskatoon radio station using anti-Ukrainian racial stereotyping”. Your site is obviously an active one because we have received a number of e-mails starting back on December 23rd including one from the person who wrote the article.

I would like to state from the outset that, contrary to the author’s claim that CJWW has “no interest in explaining this situation”, I did indeed take action immediately upon receiving the first e-mail complaint. I also replied to his e-mail the same day that I received it, December 23rd.

I take complaints and suggestions about any aspect of our programming very seriously. CJWW has, for many years, been Saskatchewan’s ‘most listened to’ radio station, appealing to both genders of all ages as well as ethnic or racial backgrounds. Examples are specialty shows such as the Saturday evening “Old Tyme Dance Party”, Sunday evening “Country Gospel Show”, and “Sounding Sky” Aboriginal-produced/hosted program that are very popular. Our general music library consists of familiar country music hit songs dating from the 1950’s through to the present day and we take pains to ensure that we do not play music that could be considered offensive as far as gender, age, ethnic, or racial background is concerned.

The song in question by Metro is considered a “novelty” seasonal Christmas tune. It is not scheduled for regular airplay but is taken out of the cupboard, so to speak, each year at this time because listeners ask for it to be played during our evening “Call For Country” and mid-day “Country Lunch” request hours. Otherwise, it would not be on the air at all. For the record, I have never been fond of the song myself. I don’t find it that funny or to have any redeeming social value. However, it has been requested at Christmas time for more than 20 years and this is the first year that I can remember receiving any complaints about it.

Notwithstanding the above, I have absolutely no problem making this particular cd unavailable for airplay on our station if it is now perceived to be offensive to those of Ukrainian background or descent. I do have to take issue with the author of the article on the website regarding his comment that we appear to have little respect for Ukrainians. That, to put it politely, is a “strategic mis-representation of the facts”. In other words, simply not true. In my opinion, and with all due respect, the author is using language throughout the piece designed to elicit an emotional response from readers. There is no “open season” on Ukrainians or any other Ethnic group on CJWW and there never will be as long as I am here (I do not plan to retire anytime soon!).

Best wishes to everyone in 2006 and please do not hesitate to contact me directly at any time with comments about the programming on any of our three radio stations, CJWW 600 AM, HOT 93 FM, or MAGIC 98.3FM. My e-mail address is vicdubois@magic983.fm.

Sincerely,

Vic Dubois
General Manager