MEDIA / KEVIN BRASS : Channel 8’s Minority Hiring Focus of NAACP Complaint

While the Federal Communications Commission decides whether to impose sanctions, reject the claim or hold more hearings, KFMB-TV (Channel 8) continues to defend its minority hiring practices.

KFMB maintains its efforts in that area have been adequate because there “aren’t that many (blacks) in San Diego,” according to the station’s attorney.

“We do well relative to the minority population in San Diego,” said KFMB’s Washington-based attorney Gregory Schmidt.

“Absolutely not true,” countered David Honig, counsel for the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People.

Earlier this year, the NAACP and the National Black Media Coalition filed a petition with the FCC asking that license renewals for six California television stations, including Channel 8, be denied.

The complaint alleges that KFMB has a “neutral rather than affirmative” Equal Employment Opportunity program.

The petition should be presented to the FCC sometime in the next few weeks, according to Glenn Wolfe, chief of the FCC’s Equal Employment Opportunity branch. The NAACP has filed against more than 150 stations, but KFMB is the only network affiliate in the country the NAACP has challenged this year.

The FCC investigation will most likely focus on the station’s efforts more than the actual number of minority members hired there. Earlier this year, the NAACP moved to withdraw the petition against KFMB when the station said it had contacted minority organizations for every job opportunity at the station.

“They were honest enough, to their credit, to later say that wasn’t true,” Honig said, and the NAACP reaffirmed its original complaint.

Schmidt admits the station’s record-keeping may have been behind the times.

“We’ve had some minor problems,” he said. “But we’ve instituted new procedures to go along with the commission’s new emphasis on record-keeping.”

Schmidt denied that the recent spurt of hiring minority reporters was in any way related to the suit. The station’s outreach programs to hire minorities were solid, just ineffective, he said.

“I don’t think that is fair,” Honig said. “There should be no difficulty in finding qualified blacks.”

The NAACP contends that the percentage of minorities employed at KFMB is almost half the percentage of minorities in the San Diego work force.

“In some cases, stations have inadequate records but adequate programs, and in others there are adequate records but inadequate programs,” Honig said. “KFMB has an inadequate record and inadequate programs.”

Blame it on Ernie Hahn. Producer Greg Willenborg met the amiable developer last year while working on the “America’s Hope Award” special honoring Elizabeth Taylor. Hahn convinced Willenborg to put together a “gala” TV special for the “gala” opening of the “gala”-deserving San Diego Convention Center, Jan. 19.

Willenborg specializes in awards shows, so they needed to come up with an award. Enter the National Academy of Dance. There are award shows for rock ‘n’ roll, acting and every discipline except dance, Willenborg said.

Never mind that San Diego isn’t exactly a mecca for dance. Willenborg says its a perfect location, a neutral site contrasted with the feuding dance communities of New York and Los Angeles.

The convention center, Willenborg says, is also a perfect location for a “gala” television event.

“When Ernie Hahn said look into the opening of the convention center, I expected a four-wall box,” Willenborg said. “But it’s one of the most beautiful architectural buildings I’ve seen.”

An as-of-yet unspecified television network will pick up the tab for the television special, says Willenborg, who expects an impressive list of still unnamed stars to flock to San Diego for the event.

Bob O’Conner starts as program director at KIFM (98.1) today, and he’s already accomplished his first goal. Art Good is returning to the station. He starts Oct. 9, doing weekend evening shows and special features. General Manager Bruce Walton said Good would also be “integrated” into the morning show, doing special reports. . . .

Doug Dougherty, the man behind most of the Channel 39’s original programs, abruptly quit recently to take a job as producer for the syndicated show “Hard Copy.” Currently, the station appears to have no plan to replace him. With Larry Himmel’s show ancient history and “San Diego Chronicles” in permanent limbo, the broadcast services department at Channel 39 isn’t exactly swamped these days. . . .

Into the strange press release file, add the recent announcement that Dan Arden Productions is graciously offering to produce an “EgoVideo,” a documentary that “captures a person at work, home and play,” for anybody willing to pay “as little as $25,000.” It is fair to say that for $25,000, any video company on Earth would gladly videotape a person doing just about anything. . . .

Facing the wrath of San Diego basketball fans, Cox Cable has decided to add Turner Network Television to its channel roster. The move follows the announcement that TNT, previously unavailable on Cox, would be carrying the NBA games, not WTBS. Cox officials say a survey of customers revealed that they wanted TNT, but it is more than a coincidence that TNT is being added Nov. 1, two days before the NBA season opener. TNT will take the Channel 26 slot now occupied by the Inspirational Channel. Those looking for inspiration will be able to turn to Channel 4, where inspirational programming will occasionally reappear. . . .

XTRA management personnel are playing musical chairs. Tom Jimenez, who has served as vice president and general manager of both AM (690) and FM (91X), will now hold the title for only the AM side. Mike Glickenhaus, general sales manager for both stations, is assuming the duties of station manager of the FM. “Those two stations have become so complicated and huge there needed to be individual focus on each station,” said Noble Broadcasting’s Norman Feuer, although it is hard to view the move as a promotion for Jimenez. In addition, Steve Nagelberg is now the local sales manager for 91X. . . .

Channel 39’s decision to split its hourlong newscast into two separate half-hour programs at 5 and 6 p.m., giving the station the only local news show at 6 p.m., is not unprecedented. In fact, Channel 39 attempted a similar maneuver in the late ‘70s, competing by running away from the competition, by moving its early newscast to 6:30 p.m. It did attract bigger numbers, until Channel 8 added a 6:30 program, sending Channel 39 back into ratings oblivion. Soon after, Channel 39 went back to a 5 p.m. program. Channel 39’s new half-hour newscasts premiere Oct. 16. . . .

The Cinema Society, set to start its new season this week with a screening of “Old Gringo,” is turning into a cottage industry. This season it opens new branches in Portland and Seattle. . . . On Oct. 13, Channel 10 will send out camera crews to tape “One Night in San Diego,” set to air the following Friday as a one hour “Signature Series” special.