Media Column

Please allow me space to address the Kevin Brass “San Diego Spotlight” item about me from May 15.

Columnist Kevin Brass can be forgiven for accusing me of taking cheap shots at former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock. Kevin can be forgiven for printing that I am motivated by a lust for publicity. Kevin can be forgiven because he has (nor has Southern California) never been exposed to an activist radio talk show such as mine.

The object of my effort directed at Hedgecock is to address a radio industry trend that I see as a major violation of the public trust on the part of my own industry. Ratings-hungry talk radio stations across the country have taken to hiring as hosts controversial mayors, judges, etc., all with one thing in common: They have been convicted in a court of law, convicted of violation of the public trust.

This is not in keeping with a radio station’s legal and moral obligation to “serve the public interest.” Broadcasting stations have lost their license for less.

Oh, by the way, Kevin, in the column attacking me for attacking Roger Hedgecock . . . wasn’t your lead story an attack on Union columnist Tom Blair? Naughty, naughty.

MARK WILLIAMS

XTRA-AM 690 Talk Host