Top Radio Host Shifts Blame as Advertiser, Radio Network Drop Show
Michael Savage points finger at critics, falsely recasts inflammatory remarks about autism
** For Audio/Transcript of the remarks, CLICK HERE **
Washington, DC - With an advertiser pulling sponsorship and a radio network dropping his program, conservative talk-radio host Michael Savage yesterday sought to recast controversial comments he made last week in which he said autism is "[a] fraud, a hoax" and that most children with autism are just "brat[s]" who haven't "been told to cut the act out."
Responding to the uproar caused by his comments, Savage said, "I stand by my words," and he lashed out at Media Matters for America, the progressive media watchdog that on Thursday first noted Savage's controversial remarks. Despite using words such as "dummy," "idiot," "brat," "moron," and "fool" to refer to children with autism, Savage said he was misquoted and taken out of context.
"Michael Savage is desperately trying to dig himself out of a hole by qualifying his original comments," said J. Jioni Palmer, a spokesman for Media Matters. "The reality is he didn't use any qualifiers when taking his mean-spirited swipe at children with autism and their families."
Savage's comments on his nationally syndicated radio program have been roundly denounced by a host of organizations seeking to raise awareness and promote sensitivity regarding the needs of those with autism. During the same program, Savage said children in "the minority community" were told to say they had asthma as part of a "money racket" to get "extra welfare" benefits.
In response to Savage's remarks, the insurance company AFLAC announced it will no longer sponsor Savage's program, while the seven-station Super Talk Mississippi radio network has decided to drop Savage's program from its lineup.
"Savage can try to obfuscate matters all he wants, but the fact remains -- his words are his words, and they were clearly directed at children with autism," Palmer said. "Instead of trying to shift blame, he ought to do what's right and apologize to the millions of autistic children, their families, and others he insulted."
Talk Radio Network, which syndicates The Savage Nation, claims that Savage is heard on more than 350 radio stations. The Savage Nation reaches at least 8.25 million listeners each week, according to Talkers Magazine, making it one of the most listened-to talk radio shows in the nation, behind only The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Sean Hannity Show.
Background:
Savage falsely recasts autism remarks to claim he was "take[n] out of context"
http://mediamatters.org/items/200807220003
Michael Savage recast July 16 comments he made about autism in order to claim that he was "take[n] out of context." Savage falsely suggested that his comments distinguished between "the truly autistic" and those he described on July 21 as "the misdiagnosed, the falsely diagnosed, and the outright fakers in the autism field."
###
RSS Feeds
Exactly WZ...
We need a Guantanamo for right-wing trash talkers. These filthy punks (they control 90% of talk radio, thanks to the corporations) are responsible for a lot of what has happened to our country.
"to continue to expose them for their evil deeds and their horrible comments."
While "horrible comments" is a matter of opinion, i am not at all sure that these fellows have ever committed what you call "evil deeds."
"These filthy punks (they control 90% of talk radio, thanks to the corporations) are responsible for a lot of what has happened to our country."-8 hom mccain
No sir, it is actually you who are responsible for what has happened to our country.
And by the way, they "control 90% of the radio" simply because it is a competitive market where a popular show is successful, rather than a liberal show.
"And by the way, they "control 90% of the radio" simply because it is a competitive market where a popular show is successful, rather than a liberal show."
Oh bull****.
Keep trying though.
I've been emailing Autism websites, advocates with mailing lists, local therapsists and clinics, plus I've called stations. Honestly? I didn't really think it could work. I guess a LOT of people are doing their part, and I am absolutely elated to see that it's working... To see that OUR FREE SPEECH, and OUR FREE MARKET can BEAT this man!!! This is a victory for intelligence and common sense and compassion and humanity everywhere.
LET'S KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
MMFA - YOU GUYS ROCK!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUSHING THIS!!!
I am a democrat, I'm voting for Obama, but I think MM is taking this issue a little too far. Savage is entitled to his own opinion, it is free speech. I am glad I live in a country where Michael can critize others and voice his opinion. Remember, he has 8 millon listeners, so he's not alone. Also, if some liberal commentator said something that I did not like, I would not want him to be fired and I would not want his sponsors dropped.
I think MM is promoting is promoting a hateful agenda and hurting free speech.
"I think MM is promoting is promoting a hateful agenda and hurting free speech."
So let's have it. What exactly is this 'hateful agenda'?
So let's have it. What exactly is this 'hateful agenda'?
I guess shining light on a hate-filled cockroach like Michael Weiner so the whole world can see what passes for intellectual though is his twisted mind is this guy's idea of a "hateful agenda"...
Isn't it almost always a tell-tale sign when some new poster adds a disclaimer at the beginning of their post that says something similar to what this poster said?
He says "I'm a Democrat and will be voting for Obama, but...."
If he were a regular reader of Media Matters he'd know that it's not a free speech issue at all. If he were a Democrat he'd know that ignoring the bad guys did no good at all, and actually did significant harm to our nation and to our political process.
Too many people think that declaring their support for 'our' guy gives them extra credibility when they make a nonsensical argument. It doesn't. And it's often a sign that someone is trying to pull the wool over our eyes by saying that a reasonable Democratic supporter could believe the same things they do. No reasonable Democratic supporter thinks that this is a free speech issue or that we should just ignore him and allow his crapola to crater by itself. Maybe this poster is honest but badly mistaken.
He said "I think MM is promoting a hateful agenda and hurting free speech."
Media Matters is not promoting a hateful agenda. They aren't hurting free speech at all. It's okay to hate offensive speech. Any caring person should be offended by what Savage said.
HectRR...
First off, speech is not "free." The cons control 90% of talk radio. If speech was free, it would be 50 - 50, right? And don't give me that crap that liberal talk radio doesn't sell, because we know it does, when it's promoted.
Second, Media Matters and others are excercising their free speech, right? So why are you upset? Why do you want to take away Media Matters' free speech?
This man is spreading filth, Media Matters highlights it. So let the chips fall where they may.
"The cons control 90% of talk radio. If speech was free, it would be 50 - 50, right?"
Now this is where you are wrong. What you mean is; 'if it was fair, then it would be 50-50.' then the fairness doctrine is the thing for you.
But while we still live in a country of free speech, the market will be dominated by what people want to hear. And apparently, people do not want to hear liberalism.
"And don't give me that crap that liberal talk radio doesn't sell, because we know it does, when it's promoted."
Really? What exactly do you mean by "promoted?" So you say that when it is "promoted," then it is successful. Do you have examples of this?
"But while we still live in a country of free speech, the market will be dominated by what people want to hear. And apparently, people do not want to hear liberalism"
I believe Phil Donohue's program was cancelled for politcal reasons not too long ago. Apparently, people did want "to hear liberalism" but got shut out.
One more time. It's not a free speech issue. There is not implicit right given to anyone to have a radio show broadcast over the airwaves that we, the people of the United States, own. Nobody is trying to pass a law to make what Savage said illegal, which would impinge his free speech.
What hateful agenda is MMFA pursuing (as others have asked)? Pointing out the words the fell from Mr. Savage's mouth is now hateful? Being intolerant of the very intolerant is somehow hateful? How is that again?
My opninion is that MMFA has every right to question what Herr Savage has said. They are simply expressing their free speech by questioning Savage's free speech. And Savage is expressing his free speech by defending his earlier expressions of free speech.
But i believe iti s incorrect for MMFA to misrepresent herr Savage's statements by taking them out of context. This is a misuse of free speech.
MM did not misrepresent Savage's words, and you know they didn't, but you said it anyway. Why?
And what the hell does a radio show have to do with free speech?
And why does the party with 90% of radio not get 90% of votes?
Get off our board. You're bringing it down.
"Jeez, who is this guy? And what the hell does a radio show have to do with free speech?"
Steeve, a radio show is just another medium for expressing free speech people want to hear. As is a television show. Or a bullhorn.
"And why does the party with 90% of radio not get 90% of votes?"
IT is not a party that has 90% of radio, it is conservativism. Savage himself is an independent.
Also, there are many liberals who listen to conservative radio and still vote otherwise. There are also many conservative listeners who do not vote, for whatever reason.
Radio also tends to be avoided by most libs, them viewing it as a primitive conservative medium.
It is also worthy to note that there may not be a 90% dominance of conservatives in comparison of all radio shows, while it may very well be 90% in a ratio of popular radio shows.
Get off our board. You're bringing it down."
I see that a contrary viewpoint is a negative thing in your world view.
But i am actually a long-time conservative member of this board, i have only recently returned from a brief hiatus. During which apparently a lot of new members have appeared.
i am basically your friendly neighborhood white nationalist around these parts. A poster named Funnymanpants can tell you all about it. He should be around soon enough.
thanks for the welcome.
Unfortunately, You're Misguided
The free speech amendment has nothing to do with who says what on a media outlet. It is an amendment that prevents government from abridging that freedom.
Sure, Michael Savage can air his viewpoints as an employee of a radio syndicator which seeks contractual agreements to view them. However, advertisers and listeners have a perfect right to express when he has crossed the line.
In some ways, Savage has not offended me personally... even though my best friend's son has Asparger's. I view him as a clown that I've never taken seriously. Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before he stepped in his own crap.
I'm guilty of listening to him only when I desire comic relief. And in some ways, I take great pleasure with those who've embraced his hate speech in the past as gospel who are now turning against him because their ox has been gored.
Nothing to do with free speech. It's all about the free market. Savage should understand that. If his sponsers drop him it's because they think he's damaging their image and costing them money. There's no censoship involved.
Well, you're wrong. This isn't about FREE SPEECH at all. No one is saying the the government should punnish him. (The FCC won't fine him, and that's as it should be!) If they did I'd be the first one in line to fight that kind of action/nonsense and defend his right to say whatever he wants. (And I daresay I've been the most outspoken anti-Savage poster in these threads!) The constitution makes it so that the gov't can't CRIMINALIZE speech. Comercial consequences, brought on by the actions of the public, are NOT protected.
This is about OUR FREE SPEECH and the FREE MARKET. Why should I give my hard earned $$$ to companies that pay this man's salary to say the crap he does? What right does he have to MY MONEY if he's going to defmame me and my family and mock my childeren? FREE SPEECH doesn't guarentee you a stage or a sponsor. FREE SPEECH can always have (non-criminal) consequences.
He's getting what he deserves, and it's the very power of FREE SPEECH (as we speak with our dollars) and the FREE MARKET that are punnishing him.
AND I LOVE IT! THANK YOU MMFA FOR YOUR PART IN THIS!
Savage has got to go, period. As the parent of an autistic son, his remarks cut deep. But we aren't the first to get stabbed by this hate monger, are we? Some in the autism community think we are calling too much attention to this, and giving Savage what he wants. I point out the comparison to Imus. Stupid remarks bring some short term attention, but in the long run, this sort of thing needs to bring a pink slip, like it did for Imus. And as for free speech, what about professionalism on the airwaves? Do quality talk show hosts call sick kids names? He should be fired for sucking as much as anything else.
Don't bother with the local affiliates. Most of them are powerless. I spoke to the GM here in Denver. He's wanted to pull Savage for a long time. He can't because of a corporate deal. In Denver, Savage has ZERO local advertisers. The station would not lose a penny if he were dropped. So much for his so called great 'ratings.'
This is a Talk Radio Networks issue. Call Mark Masters at TRN. Tell him to drop Savage. Call Direct Buy.com and Swiss American Trading Company and tell them to pull their sponsorship of his show. THAT'S how we get him off the air.
- MATT'S DAD IN DENVER
DB is a scum-scam outfit that fits right in with the scum-scam Savage and Levin.
Which is why I will never set foot in a DirectBuy showroom. Nor will I ever eat at a Ruth Chris (sp?) Steak House, because of their long-standing relationships with Sean Hannity and Jeff Christie.
Plenty of horror stories about DB all over - check 'em out. Not surprising that they advertise almost exclusively on wingnut radio... you won't hear any DB ads on the Ed Schultz show unless Hell freezes over.
Give your boy a big hug from me (and my two autistic sons) and let him know we're winning!
Savage is a coward...
When the heat's on he lies, and crawls under the kitchen table.
When the heat's on he lies, and crawls under the kitchen table.
Like the useless cockroach that he is.
I have an updated list of Savage advertisers. Some of these may be TRN clients who are just included in his show, but nonetheless, they need to be contacted en mass:
Nevada State Corporation 877-330-0155
Web X on line meeting
Consoladated Resorts
Midwest National Life Insurance
Mega Life Health and Life Insurance
Genesis Financial Services
and of course, Direct Buy.com (800-950-5575) and Swiss America Trading Company (800-289-2646)
These sponsors need to be contacted and boycotted if they don't respond. And keep getting after Mark Masters at TRN to dump this guy.
- MATT'S DAD IN DENVER
Personally? Not being black, arab, muslin, female, gay, etc... his remarks never hurt me personally. (I was offended, but not hurt personally.) To anyone out there who was hurt by him in the past? Well, he has been fired before, so I imagine there's be public outcry before.
I'm taking this personally, and doing my part in this fight, because of my two boys, and every wonderful child I've met becasue of the struggles that they face together. You don't mock disabled children and demean their parent's efforts to help them and get away with it, even in America - which is the country which is probably most tolerant of his usual brand of hate-speech.
And you're absolutely right - his racism, mysoginy, homophobia and incitment of religious hatred should have gotten kicked off the airwaves a long time ago. And it's an utter shame that it hasn't, but feel free to pile on this time around!
Plus, in a way, his bigotted history works against him big time in this case. If he was an otherwise reasonable guy, people would forgive him and show some understanding (give him the benefit of te doubt) if he came on the next day and said "I'm sorry. I exagerrated, and THIS is what I really meant..." But with such a long history of utter verbal incontenance and crainial diarreah, at this points NOBODY'S LISTENING TO HIS B^LLSH!T explanations anymore.
You are not a God Savage; you are not a holy man or "the truth" or any of those things. You are a little old man from the Bronx who did well in Radio then you damaged your career by saying all the rotten stuff you said dont blame MMFA or anybody but yourself...
The concern trolls for Savage here are hilarious. MMFA is promoting a "hateful agenda" for bringing Savage's comments into light and is just trying to bring the issue of misdiagnosed autism to light.
Why don't you people get it. I mean, who are you going to believe? Concern trolls or your lying eyes and ears?
Michael Savage in my opinion is a whining jerk. Whenever he is personally attacked he tries to proclaim it as an attack on all conservative commentators. He is too angry and vitriolic as well. However he has a right to his opinions and if we don't like it we can tune out and the stations who carry him won't if their ratings fall. Also contacting sponsors is in everyone's rights.
In this instance though if you listen to his entire discourse there is a lot of truth buried in his blathering. Pharmaceutical companies are peddling pills to solve every problem and teachers and health care professionals are giving in to their pitches as an easier way to deal with difficult situations. I think his views are more valid for children diagnosed with ADD and AHD but if they can find a way to throw more pills on the market for Autism and the diagnosis will follow to create customers.
I for one am more concerned with using mind altering drugs and performing chemical lobotomies as is now done. I suggest that everyone who is so upset about Michael Savage rent a copy of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's nest and see how you feel about forced mind control techniques.
All these guys have had the fcc cover their Arsses for the last eight years and have grown accustomed to saying what they want and getting away with it.
Its a new day coming "weiner"
You all are just getting bent out of shape. Michael was mostly correct, you all are just trying to pile on because you hate him. Too bad, he will continue to be correct and be widell supported.
I almost believe you care about real austistic children. I do, I support them, and I have no issue whith what was said. cheers, out!
What am I not understanding. If you dislike the man and he infuriates you so much, what is the problem with changing the channel? If Savage continues to say things that offends people enough, he won't have the third most popular radio show in the country any more. It's not his fault that he doesn't sugar coat things; he is also an entertainer. If your kid really is autistic and isn't just dumb, then Savage wasn't directing his comments towards you. Stop being a wimp and take it for what it's worth; and if you don't like the comments Michael shares with his audience, stop listening him and go listen to Bernie Ward.