Marc Steiner Dumped from WYPR

Unfortunate (3.33 / 3)

It was early last Friday morning that I first heard the news that the Marc Steiner Show had been canceled.  How unfortunate.  Dismay doesn't begin to touch my feelings.  In the interest of full disclosure, I appeared on his program on a number of occasions and I thoroughly valued working with Marc and his quite talented producer, Marcus Charleston.  It is my view that the show added rare content and value to the Baltimore and Maryland airways - and was an asset for WYPR.  It will be hard to duplicate and replace.

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net

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by: Kevin Dayhoff @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 04:01:16 AM CST

A different view (3.00 / 1)

I'm not condemning the man or approving of the way his departure was handled.  I recognize his personal role in keeping public radio alive in Baltimore.

However, as a new Maryland resident, I have to say that I did not like him as a commentator or interviewer.  Long before he was removed from the air, the words I used to describe him on air were "pompous" and "biased to his own point of view."  I frankly find the claims that he is so famously neutral to be not credible.  Maybe everyone here was just so used to him or he was good and neutral compared to others that have been on the air.  I don't know.

I much prefer an interviewer that spends less time on their own opinion and agenda.  In my view (no you don't have to like or approve of it), he re-inforced the image that MD politics is an insider game for Democrats.

I suppose there is some interesting parallel here as the "older" baby boomer generation that has driven the Dem party for years is gasping for breath under the surge that Obama is bringing.  Generational change isn't bad or good, it's just inevitable.  That's how I view Steiner.

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by: Native Son @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 09:15:32 AM CST

A Talk Show Is Named After The Host For A Reason... (3.00 / 2)

I completely disgree with Native Son, and perpetuates my argument that radio is a local medium.  Public radio to a point has recognized this hence why some of the best local talk is on public radio.

But let me start with the simple explanation of a talk show named after a host...it is the hosts' forum in which he can do what he wants in what ever direction that he wants.  If Marc felt the means to insert his view, then he was well within his means to do so.  It's not a news program, it is a talk program.

Now to you, Isaac (and Dan if you are reading this,) this is not a criticism for once...this is more of an inside thing.  Public radio is starting to be more honest about their intentions...getting a big audience.  That is not just limited to public radio but for other non-comms.

Remember, WYPR is planning a power hike of their Baltimore signal which might possibly weaken the reach of WMUC, the UMCP station with one of the last Class D licenses.  There has also been a number of legal battles between universities with student stations and the religious networks that want to take them over.  The non-com spectrum of the FM dial is 88.1FM-91.9FM (between 88-92FM as generally referred to) so space is tight especially in big Markets like Washington, New York and Los Angeles.

I should also note that the driving factor of WETA dumping news/talk in favor of classical.  They thought that they would reach a wider audience and the money would pour in.  The same motivation in driving WYPR to boost their power.

So overall,  I have been seeing it trend over the past three or four years as far as the correlation.  Public radio has always had ratings, but they did not emphasize them as part of their plans until recently.

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by: pkennethburns @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:14:48 AM CST

Having power and using it well are different (1.00 / 1)

Wow, your comment is even more condescending than Steiner ever was. But like him you are consistent and we expect that.

He can do whatever he wants but I and the rest of Maryland are not obligated to listen. Given his ratings, I must not be alone in thinking his show uninteresting though there may be many reasons besides mine.  My point is that not everyone was impressed with him.  

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by: Native Son @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:55:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Keep reading... (1.00 / 1)

I assure you that I was not even being condescending at my best... son.  You should read my blog sometime in the near future.

They're is a reason why it's called local radio, it's for us, not newbies who have they're own preconceived notions of what the populous should listen to.

Most of us like Steiner's show, you don't.  Feel free to exercise your freedom of choice in the future if you don't like something we Marylanders do.

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by: pkennethburns @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:09:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

"A hit, a hit, a most palpable hit!" (1.00 / 1)

Ah, the polished communications professional drops like a used hankie and the arrogant nativist comes out.  You are hilarious.

Shall I extend your logic to the voting public?  If as a "newbie", I should have no right to listen to local radio why would I be entrusted with the far more powerful right to vote locally.  How about this for a headline: P. Kenneth Burns proposes birth test for voters?  

I have and I will exercise my right not to listen or read what I choose, as I did with the Steiner show and I do with your blog. I have and will exercise my right to voice my opinion about local, state and national matters.  Disagree with them, please, I invite you to but don't tell me I have no right to them because of where I lived 12 months ago.  

Your bigotry is ironic and sad.  Your commentary is funny though.

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by: Native Son @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:37:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

And you said you don't read my blog... (0.00 / 0)

Actually how about this...

If you have been in the state of Maryland for 12 months or less, you should not be allowed to vote for and municipal, local or state elections.  After 12 months, you should take a citizenship skills test.  One of the tests should be pointing out which local jurisdictions have a County Commissioner Board, County Council, County Council with Executive Branch or Board of Supervisors.  If you get below 75 percent passing, then you should not be allowed to vote...

Your cynicism is not well placed, son.  Leave it to the pros.

My point is that when you move to a new area, you might not be used to stuff that local people like.  If they like him, God bless those that do, I just don't like him.

The two points I was trying to make, that seems to went over your head (and I'm not surprised) is that if you are looking for an interviewer or a commentator to be completely impartial, you are looking at the wrong medium, you want a news station.

And to say that his went ratings down because people didn't like him anymore is absurd.  Read The Sun article, which will show that listenership is down across the board on that station.

The other point is that radio IS local, but now it's becoming even more personal, so if you had just moved to the area, odds are that you are not going to like it very much.  I hear the same criticisms about George Michael when he used to do daily newscasts on WRC-TV (Channel 4).  People who moved to the area, do not like him, but the ratings on Channel 4 during his part of the newscast said otherwise.

While I respect your disagreement about Steiner, but I think you should receonsider...some of your argument, especially about birth requirements.

Now that's me being condescending.

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by: pkennethburns @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 13:44:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Now we're having a conversation... (0.00 / 0)

You are so much better when you use sarcasm instead of blatant mindless bigotry. There's hope for you as a blogger yet.  

It seems to me to be sure of quality, you would have to test the infrequent voters just as much as the "newbies".  If they have not voted in 4 years and have not been paying attention until 2 weeks before an election are they really more qualified to consider the questions on the ballot?  Wouldn't they be using name recognition and suspect "free information" such as push polls, negative mailers and other stunts more than a considered decision?  Is this really better?

Your idea seems like a job guarantee program for entreched elites and insiders.  I wasn't aware that Maryland insiders had problems getting elected and staying there.  Your advocacy for change typical to your previous posts during Mayoral primary are at odds with this concept.  Do you really think that the insiders will change the system?  Seems an unlikely hope even for an optomist like you.  Shouldn't you be encouraging new blood like me if you are serious about seeing change in your home state?

Of course it's moot...Your suggestion is not just sarcastically condescending and stupid, it's absolutely unconstititional.  

P.S. please count on me voting on all the local issues and candidates despite my recent migration to the Free State.  

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by: Native Son @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 14:20:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What the heck are you talking about? (0.00 / 0)

I'm talking about how you should not expect a talk show host to be impartial and you're ranting about why residency requirements for voting is stupid.

If you think that I am in favor of that, then you should know that I have a patch of land in Garrett County on the market for a dollar, by the way it's 500 acres of picturesque view all around.

Please participate in the voting process, just please do your due diligence in knowing the issues.

I declare I have to spell it out to some people, son.  

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by: pkennethburns @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 17:34:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sad (3.00 / 1)

This is sad, not only because Marc was THE voice on YPR, not only because Marc made Baltimore City and its issues his own, but because it is evidence of a new day in "public" radio, where profits and not public service are the focus.

Marc is opinionated, to my ears a proud liberal, but he always placed honesty before that opinion.  I could always trust that when Marc spoke on his show, he was telling the truth.  If he was unsure of a fact, or even an of his own opinion, he would voice this concern.  The honest relationship he had created with his listeners was rare in the media.

I hope Marc continues to be involved in local media, perhaps with a job at WAMU or even HFS.  It may sound strange, but I feel like he and Ed Norris would at least have interesting conversations.  

Either way, this is upsetting.  More often than not these days I turn to WAMU for my news and commentary.  Even YPR's local news has suffered lately.  

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by: Andrew Kujan @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 13:46:19 PM CST

Strange way to keep ratings (3.00 / 2)

throw the single most recognized part of your brand out on his face loudly and rudely.  Marc Steiner was always not my cup of tea but much more respect should have been paid.  Even if the move was the right one, their handling of it was atrocious.

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by: Bruce Godfrey @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 21:25:26 PM CST

Spot on Bruce! (3.00 / 1)

The man was the reason they exists.  Not even a back handed snub, but a full out dis in the local fishwrap.  That is unacceptable and Your Public Radio Corp. should be ashamed of themselves.  This reeks of similar actions taken by MPT a few years ago in the screwing of Louis Rukeyser.  

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by: pkennethburns @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 17:38:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]