A new statement from ALS TDI:
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Positive Outcomes from Grassroots #ALS Advocacy Efforts Re: Walton & Johnson Radio Show
In support of the ALS community's grassroots effort in response to comments made recently on the Walton & Johnson radio show, ALS TDI has been in communication and directly coordinating with the management of KKRW, a Houston Clear Channel affiliate for the last two weeks. The ALS community's advocacy efforts utilized social media to rally the grassroots effort for an on-air apology targeting KKRW, Clear Channel corporate and affiliates stations, as well as sponsors of the syndicated radio program. On 5/24/2011, the station’s management and the show’s hosts and producer drafted and read a public apology on the air just before 10:00AM. The text of that apology is as follows:
“KKRW and Walton & Johnson would like to apologize for insensitive remarks about Stephen Hawking’s physical condition that have caused distress to people with disabilities, including those with ALS – which Professor Hawking suffers from – and their families. We recognize that there are many people in Houston who suffer from serious, debilitating illnesses and no offense to them was intended.”
In support of the ALS community's grassroots effort in response to comments made recently on the Walton & Johnson radio show, ALS TDI has been in communication and directly coordinating with the management of KKRW, a Houston Clear Channel affiliate for the last two weeks. The ALS community's advocacy efforts utilized social media to rally the grassroots effort for an on-air apology targeting KKRW, Clear Channel corporate and affiliates stations, as well as sponsors of the syndicated radio program. On 5/24/2011, the station’s management and the show’s hosts and producer drafted and read a public apology on the air just before 10:00AM. The text of that apology is as follows:
“KKRW and Walton & Johnson would like to apologize for insensitive remarks about Stephen Hawking’s physical condition that have caused distress to people with disabilities, including those with ALS – which Professor Hawking suffers from – and their families. We recognize that there are many people in Houston who suffer from serious, debilitating illnesses and no offense to them was intended.”
In addition, a 30 minute public affairs program produced by the station will air on June 5th, 2011 and feature Dr. Steven Perrin, CEO of ALS TDI. The show will discuss ALS, how it can affect people of all ages and what the current state of research is. Steve will also speak to his knowledge on the current clinical opportunities and situation “on the ground” in this war. He will also be asked directly about the community and its advocacy efforts being so grassroots. This show will be recorded and available via podcast on iTunes. However, it can be heard live on Sunday at the following times and stations in Houston: 6:30 AM on The 9-5-0 AM, Radio Mojo, 7:00 AM on 94.5 FM, The Buzz, 7:25 AM on 93.7 FM, The Arrow 7:30 AM on Sunny 99.1 FM, and 11:30 PM on SportsTalk 790 AM.
Further, KKRW management is coordinating with ALS TDI to develop a public service announcement about ALS. That PSA will then be played/launched throughout a cluster of stations in Houston. ALS TDI will then make the PSA available to other markets as well in hopes of creating a national awareness campaign.
ALS TDI would like to recognize the ALS Community for its leadership. Specifically, ALS TDI would like to recognize the F a c e b o o k and Twitter communities which include an international group of ALS advocates and others willing to defend and demand respect for those with disabilities such as ALS. The public apology, dedicated programming, and national PSA campaign is the result of these advocates, and the willingness of KKRW to work with us to turn this into a positive by undertaking a desperately needed ALS educational campaign.
ALS TDI is proud to work, on behalf of the ALS community, with KKRW, and Clear Channel toward a result which sheds desperately needed light on a disease that effects the lives of hundreds of thousands of families worldwide.
Questions/Comments are encouraged here on F a c e b o o k or can emailed to ALS TDI at info -at- als -dot- net or via phone at 617-441-7200.
In addition, a 30 minute public affairs program produced by the station will air on June 5th, 2011 and feature Dr. Steven Perrin, CEO of ALS TDI. The show will discuss ALS, how it can affect people of all ages and what the current state of research is. Steve will also speak to his knowledge on the current clinical opportunities and situation “on the ground” in this war. He will also be asked directly about the community and its advocacy efforts being so grassroots. This show will be recorded and available via podcast on iTunes. However, it can be heard live on Sunday at the following times and stations in Houston: 6:30 AM on The 9-5-0 AM, Radio Mojo, 7:00 AM on 94.5 FM, The Buzz, 7:25 AM on 93.7 FM, The Arrow 7:30 AM on Sunny 99.1 FM, and 11:30 PM on SportsTalk 790 AM.
Further, KKRW management is coordinating with ALS TDI to develop a public service announcement about ALS. That PSA will then be played/launched throughout a cluster of stations in Houston. ALS TDI will then make the PSA available to other markets as well in hopes of creating a national awareness campaign.
ALS TDI would like to recognize the ALS Community for its leadership. Specifically, ALS TDI would like to recognize the F a c e b o o k and Twitter communities which include an international group of ALS advocates and others willing to defend and demand respect for those with disabilities such as ALS. The public apology, dedicated programming, and national PSA campaign is the result of these advocates, and the willingness of KKRW to work with us to turn this into a positive by undertaking a desperately needed ALS educational campaign.
ALS TDI is proud to work, on behalf of the ALS community, with KKRW, and Clear Channel toward a result which sheds desperately needed light on a disease that effects the lives of hundreds of thousands of families worldwide.
Questions/Comments are encouraged here on F a c e b o o k or can emailed to ALS TDI at info -at- als -dot- net or via phone at 617-441-7200.
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Edited by me to change all the known m o d e r a t i o n snares.
More later, when the Walton and Johnson boycott group updates their page.
