Radio guys talk back to dehype.radio.

I love feedback. Earlier this month I commented here on Eliot Spitzer's hefty fine levied against Emmis Broadcasting's WQHT New York, the hip-hop giant, for running a "Smackfest" promotion--people smacking each other for prizes. One of my favorite "Anonymous" readers wrote back:

I attended the Radio and Records convention in LA two years ago, where during one of the sessions they played the smackfest video. The audience howled with delight as the video showed two female african american radio contestants smacking each other harder and harder in a New York radio studio. I was aghast. Firstly, it was entirely visual with lots of dead air, which is not good radio. And most importantly, it made the stomach turn. I couldn't believe this crowd of half-brains were elevating this display as a testiment [sic] to great radio. I got up and walked out in disgust, half expecting others to join me as a protest to the violence. They did not. The 'smackfest' was the talk of the convention. A new low for American terrestrial radio. I think that was the moment when I began to regard myself as a media person as opposed to a radio person.

Agreed, Anon.

And then...my snarky comments about the early reactions of radio guys on Mr. Spitzer's payola investigation, which is still bubbling under. I linked to Radio & Records extensive quote from Bill Figenshu, prominent radio exec, and suggested that Mr. F. was getting the standard freebee from one of the loyal radio trades. Mr. Figenshu recently discovered my post and commented:

Free Publicity? = Yes
Allowed to say what I want? = yes
Writer? Me? Nah!
Just another radio pig trying to carve out a living while saying what I feel.
Isn't this internet thing just great!

Yep, sure is. Best wishes on your new biz, Mr. F.