August 3, 2007

Contact: Paul Karr, Director of Media Field Strategy
Phone: (646) 871-8022    Email: karr@glaad.org

GLAAD would like to thank everyone who made a call and or sent an email regarding the defamatory comments made by Fox News Radio KCOL 600 host and Program Director Scott James; your actions led to his issuing an immediate recant and apology. Without the vital work such as this on the grassroots level we would not be nearly as effective in fighting defamation. We must continue to be vigilant if we are to ensure fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community in the media.
 
Here is a link to the apology posted on KCOL’s website:
  http://www.600kcol.com/pages/scott_james.html

Fox News Radio 600 KCOL host and Program Director Scott James made defamatory, anti-gay comments equating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community with child molesters. On the July 31 broadcast of his show Ride Home with The James Gang, James stated, “…do they just want everybody to be politically correct and be tolerant and get along? 'You must accept me in my homosexual and/or perverted, i.e., child molestation ways. You must accept it.'”

GLAAD contacted KCOL — a 5,000 watt AM station based out of Fort Collins, Colo. — to express concern over the piece and spoke with Scott James, who was unapologetic about his statements.

“There is no room on the airwaves for these types of hateful comments,” said GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. “Irresponsible statements like those of Scott James only serve to perpetuate negative stereotypes of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.”

GLAAD calls on Scott James and KCOL Fox Radio to offer an apology for his anti-gay remarks.

Take Action!
Please call Scott James, Program Director and host of Ride Home with The James Gang to demand an apology.

Scott James
Program Director
Email: scottjames@clearchannel.com
Phone: (970) 461-2572

Sanda Coyle
SVP, Strategic Marketing
Email: sandacoyle@clearchannel.com
Phone: (210) 822-2828