WEEI/Boston Calls Time Out
• Entercom Sports-Talk giant WEEI/Boston is taking the unprecedented step of going jockless tomorrow from 6am-6pm so that its employees can attend mandatory sensitivity training. The action comes on the heels of several recent instances of controversial on-air comments that have resulted in approximately five clients (according to The Boston Globe) pulling their advertising.
The issues began several weeks ago when Alex Reimer, a columnist and blogger on WEEI.com found himself suspended indefinitely when he referred to Tom Brady‘s five-year-old daughter as “an annoying little pissant.” The most recent controversy involved WEEI midday co-host (and former New England Patriots tight end) Christian Fauria, who was handed a five-day benching when he imitated Brady’s agent Don Yee using a stereotypical Asian accent. FYI: Yee was born in the United States and speaks English without an accent. WEEI characterized Fauria’s remarks as an “insensitive and ill-conceived attempt at humor.”
A statement posted on WEEI.com reads, “Nothing is more important to WEEI than the close-knit and diverse Boston community we call home, and we are committed to actively contributing to its betterment. WEEI is in the process of closely reevaluating our policies and procedures in an effort to ensure that our programming is never intolerant or harmful to our listeners or our city.
“As part of this effort, WEEI Will be hosting an all day mandatory sensitivity training this Friday, February 16. All live programming will be suspended from 6am until 6pm on Friday to enable WEEI employee participation in this important session.”
