kdnd petition to deny
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
1/21
Before the
Federal Communications CommissionWashington, DC 20554
In the Matter of the Applications of )))
ENTERCOM SACRAMENTO LICENSE, LLC ))
Licensee of KDND(FM), Sacramento, California )Facility 65483 )
To: Office of SecretaryAtt: Chief, Media Bureau
PETITION TO DENY LICENSE OF KDND(FM)
Media Action Center in El Dorado Hills (MAC,) and Sue Wilson (individual
petitioner) hereby petitions the Federal Communications Commission (the
Commission or FCC) to deny the license renewal application of KDND FM, a radio
station operated by and licensed to Entercom Sacramento Licensee LLC (Entercom or
Licensee) and licensed to Sacramento, California. As demonstrated herein, Entercom
has repeatedly violated the FCCs rules, regulations and policies and lacks the character
qualifications necessary to remain the licensee of KDND(FM).
MAC is a non-profit, non-partisan project fiscally sponsored by the Media
Alliance, a 501-c-3 not for profit organization. MAC brings this petition on its own
behalf, and on behalf of the individuals it represents who reside in the service area of
KDND, including MAC Director Sue Wilson. Petitioner Wilson regularly listens to
KDND. Accordingly, Petitioner has standing to file this Petition. Much of the contents
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
2/21
2
herein are based on Wilsons personal witnessing of events at the William A Strange v
Entercom trial. See declaration of Sue Wilson, attached hereto. 1
SUMMARY
Entercom Greedswas Responsible for the Tragic Death of Jennifer Strange.
It was a stupid radio stunt designed to raise the ratings and revenues of
Entercoms KDND-FM in Sacramento, California until it went wrong. On January 12,
2007, Entercoms KDND-FM decided to stage a contest, Hold Your Wee for a Wii. In
the end, a 28-year-old woman, Jennifer Strange, mother of three children, Keegan, 10,
Ryland, 3, and Jorie, just 11 months, was dead.
To win a Nintendo Wii video game contestants had to drink as much water as
possible without urinating. Ms. Strange was one of about 20 contestants. As fellow
contestant James Ybarra stated: I was talking to her, and she was a nice lady. She was
telling me about her family and her three kids and how she was doing it for her kids.2
Ms. Strange spent hours at the studios of KDND(FM) guzzling water. Fellow
competitor Jennifer Winsor said she saw Ms. Strange drink 8 bottles of water, each
containing 8 fluid ounces, then 10 additional 16-ounce bottles before the contest was
over, a total of 224 ounces.3
Entercom kept Ms. Strange and the other contestants in a room away from the
studio where they could not hear on-air comments or callers.4 KDNDsMorning Rave
2Associated Press, January 13, 2007.3 The Sacramento Bee, January 18, 2007, seewww.sacbee.com.4 San Francisco Chronicle, January 18, 2007.
http://www.sacbee.com/http://www.sacbee.com/http://www.sacbee.com/http://www.sacbee.com/ -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
3/21
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
4/21
4
complete set of contest rules was never given to the contestants. Worse, the Morning
Rave crew never followed the undisclosed written rules. Instead, they created rules on
the fly which made contestants drink so much water, it was a clear threat to their health
and safety.
Several hours into the contest, Entercoms employees interviewed Ms. Strange on
the air. She said she was not feeling well, and complained that her head hurt. "They keep
telling me that it's the water. That it will tell my head to hurt and then it will make me
puke," she said. Eventually, Ms. Strange gave in and accepted the second-place prize:
tickets to a Justin Timberlake concert. She commented that she looked pregnant, and a
female DJ agreed. "Oh, my gosh, look at that belly. That's full of water. ... Come on
over, Jennifer, you OK?" a male DJ asked. "You going to pass out right now? Too much
water?" This is what it looks like when youre drowning.
Yes, too much water. Within hours, Jennifer Strange, the mother of three young
children, died.7 All she wanted was to win a much sought-after video game for her
children. As Ms. Campos states, She talked about her kids the whole time.8 Other
contestants remember Ms. Strange showing pictures of her children and saying she was
hoping to win the game console for them.
Later that day, after station management was informed of Mrs. Stranges death,
they did not even bother to call the other contestants who had been ill to warn them of
possible danger to their lives.
6 San Francisco Chronicle, January 18, 2007.7 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16614865/8 San Francisco Chronicle, January 18, 2007.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16614865/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16614865/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16614865/ -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
5/21
5
October 29, 2009, a jury of 12 persons in Sacramento found Entercom
Sacramento 100% liable for the death of Mrs. Strange.
The contest was designed to be dangerous, in order to bring in high ratings, But
safety was skirted to create scintillating programming. That, combined with a complete
lack of oversight from management, added up to a lethal combination: a radio
conglomerate more interested in ratings than safety.
This event, along with many others which show a pattern of bad behavior, prove
that Entercom does not have the character to hold the license of KDND.
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
6/21
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
7/21
7
PETITION TO DENY LICENSE RENEWAL AND OTHER RELIEF
I. JURY FOUND ENTERCOM SACRAMENTO LIABLE FOR THE DEATH OF
JENNIFER LEA STRANGE
October 29, 2009, a jury of seven men and five women unanimously rendered a
verdict in the civil trial of William A. Strange et al v. Entercom Sacramento LLC and
Entercom Communications Inc. et al finding Entercom Sacramento liable for the death of
28 year old mother of three, Jennifer Lea Strange. 9
II. ENTERCOM LACKS THE CHARACTER QUALIFICATIONS TO BE
AN FCC LICENSEE
A. KDND Management Knew They Were Promoting a Deadly Stunt But
Didnt Tell Contestants
KDND staff and management knew the Wii contest was dangerous, but never
bothered to inform the contestants of the danger; instead, they withheld information of
the risks from the contestants.
On air Deejays Steve Maney, Patricia Sweet and Adam Cox (Lukas) and Matt Carter
clearly knew about the dangers of water intoxication. In December 2006, just weeks
before the "Wii" contest, the on-air team joked about the 2005 water drinking death of
9EXHIBIT A Judgment on Verdict
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
8/21
8
Chico State student Matthew Carrington in a fraternity hazing incident. 10The Carrington
death was widely publicized nationally 11and also in the Sacramento area. 12
The Morning Rave team personally witnessed the effects of water intoxication
during that December 2006 Morning Rave program when they encouraged their gag guy
Fester," real name Peter Inzerillo, to drink several vases of water from a tulip vase. 13
Inzerillo, a very large man, testified he specifically remembered the December
2006 program where he and the on air talent joked about the Chico water drinking death
of Matthew Carrington. After drinking about two gallons of water, he fell very ill. 14
Inzerillo further said he referred back to that show on the air during the Wii
contest, where in response to Patricia Sweet's comment, "Can't you get water poisoning
and like, die?" he said, "How much can you do, though, since that poor kid in college?
only to be cut off by the other on air hosts. 15 16
During the Wii contest, many people, including nurses, were calling into the
station to warn them of the danger. The on air staff used those calls to hype the contest to
produce higher ratings, and ignored the real threat. A female caller named Eva: "I want
to say that, um, that those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly
die from water intoxication." DJ: "We're aware of that." DJ: "They signed releases, so
we're not responsible. It's OK."17 Other listeners who were not put on the air also called
10http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html; trial transcripts11http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13529682/page/2/#.Umg6nRCRIj5
12 http://www.newsreview.com/chico/guilty-pleas-dont-ease-pain/content?oid=4340913Exhibit R: Carter Depo14http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html; trial transcripts15Exhibit B: Broadcast Transcript page16http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html; trial transcripts17Exhibit B: Broadcast Transcript
http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.newsreview.com/chico/guilty-pleas-dont-ease-pain/content?oid=43409http://www.newsreview.com/chico/guilty-pleas-dont-ease-pain/content?oid=43409http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.newsreview.com/chico/guilty-pleas-dont-ease-pain/content?oid=43409http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
9/21
9
to warn the station of the danger, but were laughed off, and told the station was not liable,
as contestants had signed release forms. 18
Staff and management clearly understood at this point that their contest could be
dangerous, but contestants learned of the warning calls from their friends and families
after theyd left the station.19 Friends could not warn them by phone either: no cell
phones were allowed in the contest area. 20 Neither the on-air staff nor Entercom
management ever divulged any risks to the contestants themselves. 21
B. Entercom Staff Ignored Mrs. Stranges and Other Contestants Illnesses
The disk jockeys at KDND were witnessing the contestants getting ill from the
contest, suffering severe headaches and vomiting into wastebaskets, all while
encouraging them to drink still more water. 22
Contest Winner Lucy Davidson was in great pain from drinking so much water and
holding her urine so long. Even after the contest was over, she said, the DJ's would not
let her use the bathroom. When she finally did, she heard someone in the next stall
peeing, gagging, and vomiting, and testified said she did the same. When she finally
stood up, she became lightheaded and fell to her knees, with a headache she described as
"the worst hangover ever." When she came out of the stall, she realized the sounds she'd
18Exhibit C: email from listener19Exhibit D: Sherrod Deposition20Exhibit D: Sherrod Deposition21Exhibit E: Davidson Deposition22Exhibit B: Broadcast transcript
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
10/21
10
heard in the neighboring stall had come from Jennifer Strange. Davidson testified that
the two did not talk, because they were unable to talk. 23
On air host Steve Maney testified he escorted Jennifer out to the lobby after the
contest was over, and that she felt ill, and her stomach was distended. He told her she
could stay there until she felt better and left her. Despite her condition, no medical
personnel were called. 24
Despite the physical nature of the contest, and despite the fact that people were
vomiting and complaining of headaches, no medical personnel was present, and no
training had ever been provided to staff as to how to treat an ill contestant.
25
Many contestants were ill for many hours after the contest. 26But even after station
management learned of Mrs. Stranges death, no one called any of the other contestants
to warn them of possible harm. 27 28 Station Manager Steve Weed asked Market
Manager John Geary for permission to do so, but Geary specifically told him not to until
hed talked with Entercoms legal department. 2930 Geary asked Weed to get on the
phonenot to warn the contestants, but to find referrals for an attorney. 31
Instead of learning of Mrs. Stranges death from the station that had sponsored the
stunt, the contestants learned about it that evening on the local news. 32
23http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/wii-winner-testifies.html; trial transcripts24http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html; trial transcripts25Exhibit F: Pechota Deposition26Exhibit E: Davidson Deposition27Exhibit G: Sherrod Declaration28Exhibit H: Davidson Declaration29Exhibit I: Steve Weed Deposition30Exhibit J: Geary Declaration31Exhibit I: Weed Deposition
http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/wii-winner-testifies.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/wii-winner-testifies.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/wii-winner-testifies.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/wii-winner-testifies.html -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
11/21
11
C. Entercom Corporate Structure Favors Ratings Over Safety
The entire contest was designed to have a thrill factor to boost ratings, as is a
hallmark of Entercom programming. To encourage such ratings getting contests,
Entercom developed a system which gave broad discretion to individual stations with
little or no training or oversight from the parent company.
Entercom staff attorney Carmela Masi developed a training series about contests
for Entercom Sacramento which were vague and ill-defined, and which left such
determinations to promotions managers, those most involved in boosting ratings.
Promotion manager Robin Pechota routinely had difficulty reaching Masi about contests,
and was told to use her own judgment about them. 33
This broad discretion made it easy for Entercom Sacramento management to ignore
safety, which was not discussed, and focus on good radio to increase ratings and
profits. 34
Entercoms management structure exacerbated the chaos which led to Mrs.
Stranges death. The one man who should have prevented it, Market Manager John
Geary, put full blame for the incident on his staff. He said he had no knowledge of the
contest, beyond complaints of noise from his sales staff. 35 Geary further stated that years
ago, when he ran one or two radio stations, he could know everything that was going on,
whereas now he is running six stations, and cannot drill down to know whats going
32Exhibit D : Sherrod Deposition33 Exhibit F: Pechota Deposition34http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.html ; trial transcripts35Exhibit J: Geary Declaration
http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.html -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
12/21
12
on. 36But under Entercoms management structure, Geary was running eight different
departments and supervising 130 employees at six stations. 37
While economies of scale improve profits, Entercom does have the responsibility to
ensure stations are properly staffed to serve the Public Interest.
In short, vague guidelines about contests and too few managers for so many radio
stations created the atmosphere of theatrics which resulted in the death of Mrs. Strange.
II. VIOLATIONS OF FCC CONTEST RULES
Section 73.1216 of the Commission's rules states that broadcast licensees must
"fully and accurately disclose the material terms" of any contests that it conducts, and
"conduct the contest substantially as announced or advertised."
Section 73.1216 of the Rules provides, A licensee that broadcasts or advertises
information about a contest it conducts shall fully and accurately disclose the material
terms of the contest, and shall conduct the contest substantially as announced or
advertised. No contest description shall be false, misleading or deceptive with respect to
any material term.19 47 C.F.R. 73.1216.
It was proven in the case William Strange v Entercom that station KDND grossly
violated FCC rules about contests, so much that a woman died as a result.
First, in the days preceding the Hold Your Wee for a Wii contest, Entercom
failed to air the specific rules of the contest, a clear violation of FCC Rules. None of the
36Exhibit J: Geary Declaration37http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/entercom-market-manager-grilled.html; trial transcripts
http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/entercom-market-manager-grilled.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/entercom-market-manager-grilled.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/entercom-market-manager-grilled.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/entercom-market-manager-grilled.html -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
13/21
13
contestants were ever informed of the rules of the contest, which easily allowed the rules
to be changed to a deadly game.
Promotions Director Robin Pechota did draft rules for the Wii contest that said
provided that contestants would be drinking 8 ounces of water every fifteen minutes, and
specifically warned of physical hazards. 38 However, station management never actually
gave that document to the contestants themselves.
Instead, contestants were given the generic, Release For All Claims Including
Personal Injury 39 40 41
That release form was so generic that Judge Lloyd Phillips gave the jury
instructions it was insufficient to be a waiver under California law. 42
Station Manager Steve Weed testified he never considered giving the actual contest
rules to the contestants themselves. 43
Not only were the rules not given to the contestants, the written rules that existed
were never followed. 44
The rules stated that contestants would be given eight ounces of water every fifteen
minutes. Instead, the Morning Rave crew started by giving the contestants eight ounces
of water every ten minutes, not fifteen. 45
That was bad enough, but by 8 AM, the hosts worried the contest would not be
over by the end of their program, and so doubled the amount of water contestants would
be drinking to a sixteen ounce bottle of water every ten minutes. 46
38Exhibit K: Hold Your Wee For a Nintendo Wii Rules39Exhibit L: Release Form signed by Jennifer Strange40Exhibit E: Davidson Deposition41Exhibit M: Davidson signed Release form42Exhibit N: Jury Instructions43http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.html ; trial transcripts44Exhibit O: Myers Depo
http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/10/station-manager-not-told-what-dangerous.html -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
14/21
14
Program Director Robin Pechota and Station Manager Steve Weed concurred that
the rules had indeed been changed. 47 48
This issue of Contest Rules is critical. Had the written rules been given to the
contestants, had they been followed, Jennifer Strange would be alive today.
III. PATTERN OF ABUSE
It wasnt the first time KDND sponsored a contest without any rules. Talent Peter
Inzerillo testified he had participated in other contests where there were no rules, and he
had been given none for the Wii contest. 49 Inzerillo, in his character as Fester during
the Morning Rave show, even said during the Wii contest he wanted to see the rules. He
was given none. 50
Entercom President David Field said under oath that nothing on the air should ever
be in bad taste. 51Yet the Licensees actions speak louder than words.
The Morning Rave crew engaged in stunts not only in bad taste, but that were
potentially dangerous. Theyd have Inzerillo eat cockroaches, 52 and theyd have their
talent engage in stunts in which they themselves would become injured. 53
45Exhibit B: Broadcast Transcript46Exhibit B: Broadcast Transcript47Exhibit F: Pechota Deposition48Exhibit I: Weed Deposition49http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html; trial transcripts50Exhibit B: Broadcast transcript51Exhibit P: Field Deposition
http://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.htmlhttp://www.suewilsonreports.com/2009/09/witness-testimony-in-jennifer-strange.html -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
15/21
15
Jennifer Strange herself entered a contest called The Breast Christmas Ever
Contest. The prize would be breast augmentation. But Mrs. Strange, herself a medical
professional, dropped out of that contest after learning the plastic surgeon who would be
doing the augmentation was not reputable. 54
There are other problems with contests at KDND. A public files inspection
conducted October 10, 2013, revealed two separate complaints from listeners who had
won contests, but never received their prizes.
This pattern of behavior showing lack of character is not only at KDND, but at
other Entercom Sacramento stations as well. In 2004, the Commission fined Entercom
Sacramento station KRXQ(FM) $55,000 for two indecent broadcasts aired in the
previous license period. Each was fined the $27,500 maximum per incident because of
the egregious nature of the violations - and because Entercom has been punished for
indecency violations in the past.
KRXQ and KDND are both managed by Entercom Sacramento, and both were
under continuous management of John Geary, who managed Entercom Sacramento for
Licensee from 1986 to 2013. 55
The Commission also fined the Licensee $220,000 for airing indecent material on
two Kansas stations. 56The Licensees station in Seattle was fined an additional $12,000
that same year for willful and repeated broadcasts of indecent materialduring the "Andy
Savage Show". 57
52Exhibit Q: Maney Deposition53Exhibit R: Carter Deposition54Exhibit S: William Strange Deposition55http://videos.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/113361/entercom-sacramento-vp-market-manager-john-geary-t?ref=search56LA Times,12-23-2004 see http://articles.latimes.com/2004/dec/23/business/fi-naked2357http://radio.about.com/cs/latestradionews/a/aa051404a.htm
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
16/21
16
One doesnt have to go back to the previous license period to find evidence of poor
character conducted by the Licensee. A January 23, 2007 report in the Sacramento Bee 58
lists the following:
* In late December, the company agreed to pay a $3.5 million (plus another$750,000 for costs to the state for investigating) settlement to theNew YorkAttorney General's office as part of a radio payola scandal in 2004 and '05. TheAG's office charged that Entercom had solicted bribes fromrecord labelsandtraded air time for songs for a multitude of promotional items, including trips.
As part of the settlement, Entercom also agreed to hire a compliance officer anddo internal monitoring of promotion practices. In other words, they've promised toclean up their act and stop doing the pay-for-play practice.
The FCC has finished with its investigation.
There may be many more such violations pending action at the FCC; the
Commission is in a better position to know that than this Petitioner.
IV. PUBLIC FILES VIOLATIONS
A public files inspection conducted October 10, 2013 by Petitioner revealed lapses
in comments from the public.
A file marked 2010 showed several letters and emails from the public, 53 in all.
Many listeners complained of indecency violations. Two complained theyd never
received a prize theyd won in a contest. Some complimented the station.
The file from 2011 showed only four such emails all year. The file from 2012
contained no comment from the public whatsoever. The 2013 file showed only two.
58http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/ticket/archives/005317.html
http://topics.sacbee.com/New+York/http://topics.sacbee.com/New+York/http://topics.sacbee.com/New+York/http://topics.sacbee.com/record+labels/http://topics.sacbee.com/record+labels/http://topics.sacbee.com/record+labels/http://topics.sacbee.com/record+labels/http://topics.sacbee.com/New+York/ -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
17/21
17
It is highly unlikely a radio station which once received an average of one
comment a week from the public suddenly received none. Indeed, KDND Deejays
actually read an email complaining of racism dated September 26, 2012 on the air, and
defended themselves. 59The email, they said, was given to them by their boss.
Somehow, the boss at KDND got the negative public comment, and Deejays read it on
the air, but that comment never made it into the public file.
V. ENTERCOM OPERATING WITHOUT A RENEWED LICENSE SINCE 2005
July 28, 2005, Entercom Sacramento License LLC applied for renewal of its
broadcast station license.
November 1, 2005, Irene M. Stolz filed petitions to deny the renewal of all six
broadcast licenses Licensee has in Sacramento.
January 22, 2007, Strange family attorney wrote to then FCC Chair Kevin Martin,
asking that KDNDs license be stripped.60 January 24, 2007, it was reported that Martin
directed the Enforcement Bureau to investigate the water drinking contest. 61
All these many years later, the FCC has taken no action against this reckless
broadcaster. It is even possible that, had the 2005 petition to deny been adjudicated,
Jennifer Strange would be alive today.
59http://www2.endonline.com/listen/complaint-email-060Exhibit T: Roger Dreyer Letter
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
18/21
18
VI. CONCLUSION AND REQUEST FOR RELIEF
The Communications Act charges each licensee with the responsibility of
operating its facility to preserve and protect the safety of life.62 The Commission, in
turn, requires licensees to conduct contests with due regard for the public interest.63 This
is especially true when the contest poses hazards to life and health. 64 In the past, the
Commission has revoked or denied renewal of licenses, issued short-term renewals and
levied fines in cases were stations that have engaged in improper, fraudulent or deceptive
contest practices.65 In this case, the licensee knew prior to promoting it, the contest was
dangerous. Staff was repeatedly warned that the contest was dangerous; yet it took no
action other than to mock the concerned callers.
What kind of licensee is Entercom? Does it care about the safety of the public it
is licensed to serve? Or is it simply willing to do anything for money, including
recklessly endangering the lives of the public it has been licensed to serve.
The pattern of behavior exhibited by Licensee over time shows its disregard for
the public interest, and reveals tremendously bad character. Entercom is a company
which repeatedly broadcasts indecent material, which engages in payola, which engages
in defamation of character, which runs contests but does not give out promised prizes,
which repeatedly deceives its own listeners, which endangers the safety of its own staff.
61http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/19918/fcc-will-investigate-water-drinking-contest 6762 47 U.S.C. 151.
63 See, Policy Statement and Order, 57 RR 2d 939 (1985).64 Public Notice, 2 FCC 2d 464 (1966).65 See, e.g.,Bremen Radio Co., 41 FCC 2d 595 (1973) (application for mitigation of forfeiture, denied);Musical Heights, Inc., 65 FCC 2d 882 (1977);Communico Oceanic Corp., 55 FCC 2d 733 (1975);GreaterIndianapolis Broad castingCo., 44 FCC 2d 599 (1973) (short-term renewals);Santa Rosa BroadcastingCo., Inc.,9 FCC 2d 644 (1967) (license revoked).
http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=115&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b41%20F.C.C.2d%20595%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=e25b50beb06fe97d0cb9945ce35432b7http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=115&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b41%20F.C.C.2d%20595%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=e25b50beb06fe97d0cb9945ce35432b7http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=116&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b65%20F.C.C.2d%20882%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=79b2230b3d41a23e7a9d6b600a98cac3http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=116&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b65%20F.C.C.2d%20882%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=79b2230b3d41a23e7a9d6b600a98cac3http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=117&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b55%20F.C.C.2d%20733%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=4fc3628876e2641e85c01bef81090a4dhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=117&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b55%20F.C.C.2d%20733%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=4fc3628876e2641e85c01bef81090a4dhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=117&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b55%20F.C.C.2d%20733%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=4fc3628876e2641e85c01bef81090a4dhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=118&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b44%20F.C.C.2d%20599%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=1daf298a01d2a9695ee30f2e1eb08a3bhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=118&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b44%20F.C.C.2d%20599%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=1daf298a01d2a9695ee30f2e1eb08a3bhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=119&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b9%20F.C.C.2d%20644%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=3a195e5705f707685812fc1a18ae2f41http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=119&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b9%20F.C.C.2d%20644%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=3a195e5705f707685812fc1a18ae2f41http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=119&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b9%20F.C.C.2d%20644%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=3a195e5705f707685812fc1a18ae2f41http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=119&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b9%20F.C.C.2d%20644%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=3a195e5705f707685812fc1a18ae2f41http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=119&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b9%20F.C.C.2d%20644%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=3a195e5705f707685812fc1a18ae2f41http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=118&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b44%20F.C.C.2d%20599%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=1daf298a01d2a9695ee30f2e1eb08a3bhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=117&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b55%20F.C.C.2d%20733%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=4fc3628876e2641e85c01bef81090a4dhttp://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=116&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b65%20F.C.C.2d%20882%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=79b2230b3d41a23e7a9d6b600a98cac3http://www.lexis.com/research/buttonTFLink?_m=0050b43e9093deff1ba3e31f28b4d99b&_xfercite=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b68%20F.C.C.2d%20381%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_butType=3&_butStat=2&_butNum=115&_butInline=1&_butinfo=%3ccite%20cc%3d%22USA%22%3e%3c%21%5bCDATA%5b41%20F.C.C.2d%20595%5d%5d%3e%3c%2fcite%3e&_fmtstr=FULL&docnum=6&_startdoc=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkAt&_md5=e25b50beb06fe97d0cb9945ce35432b7 -
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
19/21
19
Now Licensee has behaved so recklessly it has killed a woman. This behavior
must not be repeated, but given Licensees track record of abrogating management, it is
not unreasonable to believe it could.
Accordingly, the FCC should set KDND for hearing to determine whether
Entercom has the necessary character qualification to remain a Commission licensee.
________________________________________Sue Wilson
_________________________________________Address
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
20/21
20
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Sue Wilson, Petitioner and Director of the Media Action Center, do hereby certify atrue copy of the foregoingPetition to Deny was sent on this 30th day of October to the
following parties:
via Federal Express:
Marlene H. Dortch, SecretaryFederal Communications CommissionOffice of the Secretary9300 East Hampton DriveCapitol Heights, MD 20743
Carrie A Ward401 City AvenueSuite 809Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Sean ShannonMarket ManagerEntercom Sacramento
5345 Madison AvenueSacramento, CA 95841
________________________________Sue Wilson
-
8/14/2019 KDND Petition to Deny
21/21
Declaration of Sue Wilson
My name is Sue Wilson. I have regularly listened to 107.9 since moving to Sacramentoin 1991. In 2007, when the Hold Your Wee for a Wii contest was held, I resided at
(REDACTED) California. I now live at (REDACTED) California, where I still listen to
KDNDs signal in my home and in my car. (KDND coverage map attached.)
I am a former Emmy winning TV and radio broadcaster. I now run a media watchdoggroup, Media Action Center, which is a fiscally sponsored project of the Media Alliance,a 501-c-3 not for profit organization. As such, I listen to KDND for personal andprofessional reasons.
I produced a story on the death of Jennifer Strange for my documentary film, Broadcast
Blues. I also reported on the 2009 trial, William A. Strange v. Entercom, doing nearlydaily coverage for the Sacramento Press and my own blog, SueWilsonReports.com. Thefacts presented in this petition to deny are personally known to me.
I and the entire community of Sacramento will be harmed if Entercoms license forKDND is renewed because Entercom lacks the requisite character required by the 1986Policy Statement and is not qualified to be a broadcast licensee.
This statement is true to my personal knowledge and is made under penalty of perjuryunder the laws of the United States of America.
Executed this 30thday of October, 2013.
_______________________________________Sue Wilson