Temple radio drops controversial show

In a controversial decision, Temple University administrators decided to cancel the school radio station's contract with a syndicated show carrying prison commentary from convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Temple's radio station, WRTI, was scheduled to air the first of three Democracy Now broadcasts featuring Abu-Jamal on February 24, but administrators canceled their contract with the show's distributor, Pacifica News, before the show could air. A crowd of approximately 150 people -- primarily Temple students and faculty members -- gathered last Monday to protest the contract's cancellation and support Abu-Jamal's right to be heard. "We had a good turnout despite the freezing rain, and it was a spirited crowd," Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal member Steve Martorano said. Abu-Jamal has been on Pennsylvania's death row since 1982 after being convicted of killing a Philadelphia Police officer in December 1981. He is the author of Live from Death Row. Temple Associate Vice President for University Relations George Ingram explained that the University owns and operates the radio station and therefore has the right to determine its programming. He said administrators have been considering breaking their contract with Pacifica since National Public Radio refused to air a similar interview with Abu-Jamal in 1994. "We're trying to move the station in a new direction, to do a better job reflecting Temple's academic excellence," Ingram said. He explained that administrators want the station to broadcast more commentary by members of the university community. "We don't need a syndicated show," he said. "We have distinguished faculty who are qualified to comment on breaking issues." Ingram added that WRTI broadcasts from Harrisburg to Dover, Del. --Eover an area in which many Temple students attempt to find employment. He explained that the university did not want students involved with the radio station to be penalized in their job searches by association with the Abu-Jamal controversy. But Martorano maintained that the administration violated Abu-Jamal's right to freedom of expression and the community's right to hear his comments by refusing to carry the commentary. He added that 11 radio stations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland depend on WRTI for broadcast strength, so their listeners were also unable to hear Abu-Jamal. "His ideas deserve to be freely and fully transmitted on airwaves," Martorano said. He stressed that Democracy Now is a credible show and a valuable source of information, describing it as "a distinguished source of news that expresses important opinions and perspectives." He also noted that celebrities such as Alice Walker, Martin Sheen and Joycelyn Elders did promotions in support of the Abu-Jamal commentary.