Is This Life on Urth?
 

window out

Post that started the trouble and its  resultant thread

Gil's message

 

 

 MP3 of Robert Knight on Wake Up Call Sept. 30, 2003
Accuses moderators of "gleefully tolerating the use of the n word," but doesn't say where or when. (small file, few minutes)

MP3 of Robert Knight's "Badlight" slam Oct. 1, 2003
To experience the actual "Badlight WBAI gossip board" click away!

MP3 of Knight's "courteous conversation" with Frank Oct. 8, 2003 
During the broadcast Knight states that the September 30th WUC (Wake Up Call) segment was to let the audience know he would be doing an Earthwatch (Wednesdays at midnight) program on the Goodlight forum controversy. The sound file at the top indicates no such thing, but if true, it indicates that Knight never had any intention of giving us anything but a last minute notice about the Earthwatch program. Since (as the emails below show) he refused to give us any useful information about the on-air accusation on WUC, I assumed he only decided to put the Earthwatch segment together after being challenged by my first email. I still don't know the true story. Does anybody?

In the 8:30 pm email I asked Robert for his phone number, knowing that if we were to have to contact him it would be at the very last minute since Gil was out for the evening. In fact, I believed we might end up calling him during the show to make arrangements. During the Oct. 8th on-air phone exchange Knight continually downplays this request for his phone number.

Knight also asserts that he does not post (openly; he does post anonymously) to the "Goodlight board" out of fear of being subjected to ad hominem attacks. The fact is that three producers do post regularly and seem none the worse for wear. Add to this the fact that Knight and his shy top level co-workers will not even encourage or participate in discussions on the station's own forum! What are they afraid of? Sticks and stones?
 

ffitz.com 

 

 

Email exchange with Knight initiated by Frank 

Subject: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:57:58 -0400
From: Frank Fitzgerald
To: Robert Knight
CC: Gil Gilmore

Dear Robert,

A posting to the WBAI Issues board today stated:

"R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC! RK says moderators here are racists for tolerating the term "wiggers." Says we are all "bad" here on GL board! Says nothing good about us here! LOL!"

Not having heard the program, it is impossible to respond properly. If you did criticize the WBAI Issues Forum, its moderators and users (BAI listeners), I think it only fair that you supply us with a sound file of that portion of the broadcast. I hope that this would be possible and that you would, out of fairness, comply with this request. If a recording is not available (though much preferable), your own account of what was said/broadcasted should suffice.

If the above posting is accurate, I would be particularly interested in knowing why you made this charge on the radio before coming to us with your concern. If the posting is true, why did you do this? You know very well that we have always responded promptly to any complaint you brought to us. To be attacked on the radio in such a fashion, without any recourse, and especially by someone we have repeatedly gone out of our way to accomodate, is very troubling indeed. Because of this I must state up front that any reply regarding this matter will be made public.

Best,
Frank
http://goodlight.net/wbai

Subject: Re: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 18:22:54 -0400
From: Robert Knight
To: Frank Fitzgerald

Greetings. I propose calling you tonight on Earthwatch for a brief discussion of this matter. Please leave a (confidential) callable number, thanks....

-RK

"a brief discussion of this matter" ? Hmmm. If I am not mistaken, during the call-in Knight asserts he intended to have me on for the entire program.

Subject: Re: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 19:41:27 -0400
From: Frank Fitzgerald
To: Robert Knight
CC: Gil Gilmore

Robert,

Whether or not one of the moderators will be available tonight is yet to be decided. I think I can say that if not available tonight, either Gil or I should be available the following week. In the meantime, would you please forward either a sound file of the part of the WUC in question or your summary of the points raised/made?

Please reply to both of us.

Best,
Frank

Subject: Re: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 19:59:42 -0400
From: Robert Knight
To: Frank Fitzgerald

I do not have a recording of my ad-lib remarks during which I criticised the seeming tolerance at Goodlight of what I consider racially offensive terminology, although I am prepared to repeat the essence in a live discussion with you. What I am offering by by way of fair response is your position on the matter in a courteous conversation as ultimate caretaker of the board. Tonight is the only opening I currently envision. If you would prefer to pre-record, we can work something out. Hope you can make it!

-RK

Subject: Re: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 20:26:50 -0400
From: Frank Fitzgerald
To: Robert Knight
CC: Gil Gilmore

I don't know about me being the "ultimate caretaker of the board." Gil (BTW, I asked you to respond to both of us) is the present owner and I often defer to him regarding some of these questions. On top of that, he is, as you must know from emails he has sent you, knowlegeable about free speech issues (far more than I) and very engaging and articulate. He would be an excellent guest. The main problem [personal matter deleted] - and he told me earlier he was going to a meeting this evening, so I don't know if your last minute invitation will get to him. Anyway, the alternative of a taped interview may be agreeable. I hope we can be assured it would be presented unedited. Of course, if you would propose taking listener calls on this issue, I assume Gil would prefer doing it live. (I am sticking my neck out here, I don't really know how "up" he is for live radio at all.

Anyway, please consider this, and check your email for a note from Gil. Is there a number he can call you at that would be more direct? Please reply to both of us.

Subject: Re: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 21:36:38 -0400
From: Robert Knight
To: Frank Fitzgerald
CC: Gil Gilmore

Bubula... You are the history and voice of Goodlight, Gil's (more recent) good offices notwithstanding. Dont be shy...

-RK

Subject: Re: "R.Knight blasts Goodlight Board this am on WUC"
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 23:28:08 -0400
From: Frank Fitzgerald
To: Robert Knight

Shyness has little to do with it. If you are really interested in an articulation of the "tolerance" policy behind the forum, then Gil Gilmore is the person you want to have before your audience. BTW, since this matter was broached on WUC, would it not be more appropriate to pursue it there? It makes more sense to me and I think we'd have a better shot at scheduling the exchange. While not having heard any part of the original program (not knowing why it was brought up, what was said, who participated, etc.) it seems a little... perhaps disengenuous to kick it off on a major timeslot and then have us respond when everyone who heard it is tucked away in bed.

Goodlight Forum