Colorado Media Matters calls on Clear Channel to take responsibility for remarks broadcast over public airwaves

"Gunny" Bob incident the latest in a long string of ethnic slurs and inflammatory comments from Clear Channel radio personalities

May 11, 2007 (Denver) - Colorado Media Matters today renewed its call for a public conversation between Colorado radio programmers and listeners after Clear Channel's Newsradio 850 KOA host "Gunny" Bob Newman demanded that Muslim immigrants - including naturalized citizens - be "required" to wear GPS tracking bracelets.

The progressive media research organization has documented Newman's history of issuing misinformation, engaging in ethnic slurs, and making bigoted remarks.

"Newman's statements were just the latest in a long series of incidents we've documented in which Clear Channel Denver radio personalities promoted their points of view by using or supporting bigoted speech or ethnic slurs," said Bill Menezes, Colorado Media Matters editorial director. "Colorado residents and families expect that with the right of free speech comes an obligation for responsible discourse, especially over airwaves owned by the public. We call on Clear Channel to have a public conversation about these remarks by Newman and other Clear Channel Denver on-air personalities who have made similar statements or supported guests who did so."

On his May 8 broadcast, while discussing the breakup of an alleged terrorist plot to attack U.S. soldiers at New Jersey's Fort Dix, Newman stated that "every Muslim immigrant to America who holds a green card, a visa, or who is a naturalized citizen [should] be required by law to wear a GPS tracking bracelet at all times," and that the government should "bug their places of work and their residences" and monitor "[a]ll mosques and community centers." Newman added, "If they don't like the idea, or if they refuse, throw their asses out of this country."

Newman also suggested refusing Muslims entry into the United States by imposing a "moratorium" on visas for them.

His comments came after other recent controversial remarks by other Clear Channel Denver talk show hosts:

• During his May 9 KOA show, Independence Institute president Jon Caldara stated that a tax proposal championed by Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter as a way to boost funding for public schools amounted to "fiscal date rape."
• During his April 25 show, 630 KHOW-AM host Peter Boyles touted to listeners a YouTube video that depicted physical attacks on Spanish-speaking men and featured profanities and slurs such as "f---ing beaner," "wetback," and "spic." Boyles did not mention that the video reportedly was a sketch by a Los Angeles comedian.

More from Colorado Media Matters on "Gunny" Bob Newman:

April 18: "Gunny" Bob on Gov. Corzine's car accident: "Democrats ... don't even drive well"

April 12: "[A]borting such horrible people" as Murtha, Pelosi, and Cindy Sheehan "would be OK"

March 7: After suggesting Clintons capable of murder and soliciting prostitutes, Newman asked if listeners would be "surprised if Hillary said she's bisexual"

February 7: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson "favors an open border because he is Hispanic"

November 1, 2006: Pelosi would attempt to legalize "polygamy"

August 2, 2006: "Gunny" Bob proposed putting illegal immigrants "on our state chain gang"; opposed "hang[ing] them" because it would be "barbaric"