Sirius Drops Gospel, Prompts Complaints
"If Sirius can make room for the values Howard Stern represents, we'd also like them to make room for the values we represent."
By HUGH S. MOORE

RNS) A decision by Sirius Satellite Radio to cancel The Word Network, a station broadcasting African-American religious programming and gospel music, has prompted more than 15,000 listeners to sign letters of protest.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and several Word executives delivered the letters to Jay Clark, vice president of programming for Sirius, at a meeting in which they urged Sirius not to cancel the religious station. They noted that Sirius is preparing to add shock jock Howard Stern to its lineup.

Lewis Gibbs, vice president of operations for The Word Network, said the decision reflects a lack of moral consideration on the part of Sirius.

"Our request is simple: If Sirius can make room for the values Howard Stern represents, we'd also like them to make room for the values we represent," Gibbs said. "Sirius has a slice of the public airways and therefore has a responsibility to serve the public. We had hoped Sirius would decide to serve the public interest as well as their own economic interests. Clearly, we were wrong."

story