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URGENT: BOYCOTT WTAM & TRIV ADVERTISERS PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garvas   
Saturday, 24 March 2001
On Friday, March 23rd 2001 Mike Trivisonno (click here for biography/picture on WTAM website), quite possibly Cleveland talk-radio's most popular show and time slot on WTAM 1100 AM again insulted gun owners on his show. Mr. Trivisonno, probably one of the most obnoxious big mouths in broadcast media, supposedly called into his own show during his vacation to call the NRA and it's membership "Crazy, Redneck, Sons of Bitches". Trivisonno apparently blames the NRA, it's membership, and people like you and me for school shootings. If you're a long time follower of our efforts you'll remember he did the same thing in November of 1999 (link to old website). If you live in the northern Ohio area consider getting involved in this boycott yet again. For more information, please read on... UPDATED: Sunday, 11:53pm: See included FCC rules on personal attacks!

From the Federal Communications Commission Mass Media Bureau:

Retention of Material Broadcast. We generally do not require stations to keep the material they broadcast. However, there are limited exceptions to this policy for personal attacks and political editorials.

Personal Attacks. Personal attacks occur when, during the presentation of views on a controversial issue of public importance, someone attacks the honesty, character, integrity, or like personal qualities of an identified person or group. No more than a week after a personal attack, the station must transmit the following three things to the person or group attacked: (1) notification of the date, time, and identification of the broadcast; (2) a tape, script or accurate summary of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond on the air.

What are we boycotting?

  • The Mike Trivisonno show
  • Any WTAM sponsor, specifically during the Mike Trivisonno show

    How can we boycott a radio station?!

    It's very very simple. Radio stations, and shows like Mike Trivisonno's rate commercial air time based on the popularity of a show, or what are frequently referred to as ratings. The Trivisonno show charges quite a bit of money for airtime and the advertisers count on the popularity.

    We know a significant portion of WTAM listeners who listen to Mike Trivisonno are avid hunters, sportsman, and shooters themself because we get literally hundreds of contacts when this type of material is played on his show.

    If advertisers get many telephone calls from angry listeners saying "hey -- wait a minute -- I won't deal with your company if you continue to advertise on a radio show that talks about my NRA membership like this" they'll complain to the radio station. Why? Because Mike Trivisonno has the right to free speech, but his free speech is limited by the people who pay his check and their desire to advertise during his time slot: The Sponsors

    The best (and quite possibly only) way to make this "sports commentator" learn to stop making stupid comments about law abiding gun owners and the National Rifle Association is to hit them where it hurts: The pocket book.

    How can you get involved?

  • Be sure to consider writing Mr. Trivisonno a letter here: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it -- Post your well written letters as comments/replies to this thread so we can all see them!

  • Send comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Ask to have your comments kept in the public inspection file!)

  • Start listening to 1100am, especially during the 3pm to 7pm Monday through Friday time slot. Write down the names, numbers, and website addresses of every single advertiser you can. Then, start posting them to this thread as a comment (not a reply).

  • If you can't hear 1100am from your part of the state go to their website http://www.wtam.com and listen online!

  • Look at the ever growing list of sponsors on WTAM 1100am and be sure to contact them -- especially if you have or intend to do business with them in the near future. Explain to them how, unless Mike stops acting this way online, you refuse to do business with their company and will tell all your friends about the situation. You may wish to ask for the marketing department or someone in management.

    This is great, but what else can I do?

    WRITE THE FCC REGARDING FOUL LANGUAGE:

    Federal Communications Commission
    Mass Media Bureau,
    2025 M Street NW, Room 8210
    Washington, D.C., 20554
    (202) 418-0569

     NOTE: Be sure to reference the exact date of the show (March 23rd, 2001) where Mr. Trivisonno used foul language ("Crazy sons of bitches") and the fact that the incident occured between 3pm and 7pm on a Friday. You can send a copy of your letter to the WTAM Studios and be sure to request the station keep a copy on their public record. Ask for a formal appology, we know many school children may have heard this due to the time slot!

    Mr. Jim Meltzer
    WTAM 1100
    1468 West 9th St. #805
    Cleveland, Ohio 44113

    Why are we getting involved?

    Mike Trivisonno doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to firearms. During his shows about firearms he goes into very loud and sometimes vulgar screaming rages. If you call in against his position on gun control you can guarantee he will scream at you, throw useless information at you as if it's relative, and mute your telephone connection so he is heard over you.

    Mike Trivisonno has no basis for his argument except for emotional sensationalism and completely unrelated facts. He exploits events such as mass public school shootings to thrust onto his listeners his own political views -- and from calls on the subject it becomes clear that most of his listeners disagree with his position.

    Mike Trivisonno can't fathom the theory of passing a right to carry reform law, and he proves time and time again that he knows nothing about existing gun laws. When a pro-gun law-maker from Columbus called into the Trivisonno show to explain his right to carry legislation Mike muted him and asked him questions which had nothing to do with right to carry legislation. Mike is simply out in left field when it comes to this issue.

    When ever Mike goes into a tirad about gun ownership we tend to get quite a few emails and complaints. Especially if Mr. Trivisonno is disputing right to carry legislation or the right for an Ohioan to carry a firearm for self-defense. He can't accept it, he won't accept it, and he'll scream at you on the air until he hangs up on your or "has to go to commercial".

    It's time we make it harder for him to go to commercials.

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