Producer calls comments speech issue
Last month the comments of some folks on Fallon Christian rock radio station KRNG made a splash in the news, particularly remarks by Sierra Sage publisher Len Semas, who said in part that "there is a special role that women take on, biologically, as the bearers of children and the nurturers of children. I don’t know that we haven’t created problems in society by ignoring that important role—ADD [attention deficit disorder] and various learning disabilities, hyperactive kids, kids building bombs in their garage ("Not patient enough," RN&R, Nov. 14).
Some Republicans felt that the GOP was unfairly tainted by the Semas comments because he is not a party officer or spokesperson—though others who were on the same radio show, including Washoe Republican chair Tom Taber, did not speak up to object to Semas's rhetoric.
In the current issue of Reno Tahoe Tonight, an essay by radio exec Chip Evans of America Matters Media—which produced the program—portrayed it as a matter of giving all points of view a hearing.
“Mr. Semas' comments fit so well with the ‘Republicans are anti-woman' meme that this show was great fodder for the liberal press. The whole scenario raises interesting questions. Should Tom Taber he held responsible for Len's comments? Should the county party? What was Tom's responsibility to confront the comments of his guest? At American Matters Media we decided that as ‘community radio,' we will host voices across the political spectrum.”