WIBW TV reported that Jim Cates was canned Wednesday because of his criticism of programming changes and format of his talk show on KMAJ AM in Topeka. On Friday Topekans supporting Cates rallied in front of Cumulus Broadcasting in downtown Topeka to protest this firing by Spike Santee of KMAJ management.
See information at the bottom of this article on how you can help Jim Cates.
One count of the crowd put the number rallying in support of Cates at 53.
Topeka sources say the following have pulled their ads from Cumulus Broadcasting in protest of the action by Spike Santee:
- Jerimiah Bull Frogs
- Donaldson Jewelry
- Viking Pawn and Loan
- Canada Drug
- The Computer Store
- Jackson’s Greenhouse
- Americans for Prosperity Kansas
More advertisers have been contacted and have been encouraged to pull their ads with Cumulus Broadcasting.
State Rep Joe Patton, former House Speaker Doug Mays,
and AFP’s Alan Cobb Supported Jim Cates today
The online publication Senior Monthly repeated their article from July 2005 saying:
Cates credits KMAJ management for giving him the freedom to talk about whatever he wants to talk about. He also believes it’s the variety of the topics he discusses with his audience that makes his show work.
Cates had this freedom to talk about whatever he wanted to until last year.
The April 22, 2007 Wichita Eagle reported that Spike Santee had been been promoted to senior vice president at Cumulus Media based in Atlanta. Open Secrets reported that Edward “Spike” Santee gave $300 to the Democratic National Committee while living in Wichita.
Spike Santee now resides in Douglas County, and he, his wife and two sons are all registered Democrats. One can only wonder if Republican Cates’ conservative views were being reigned in by Democrat Santee. Santee had only been a Cumulus VP for about a year when he fired Cates.
Some say Santee’s ego was what caused the problem for Cates at KMAJ.
While Cates was known as a conservative, at least one liberal group, the LGBT group Kansas Equality Coalition, posted this comment in response to a Topeka Capital-Journal article:
I’ll miss the way that Mr. Cates moderated discussion and allowed for both sides of issues to be aired. Mr. Cates is a class act.
Thomas Lessman from Topeka posted this on his Neighborhood Watch Watch blog:
Recently Cumulus Broadcasting decided to terminate the # 1 rated talk show in Kansas. The only details are that the new station management wanted to change the format in a way that would effectively cut the heart out of the show - they wanted to end the Open Lines sessions and censor any “negative” issues.
The Jim Cates Show provided a community forum for people in Topeka, and he allowed anyone to call in and discuss issues of importance. Like everyone, Jim has his own views, but his show was never about HIS views - he allowed the public a chance to speak. Even when Jim disagreed with a caller, he was always respectful about it, but he made it a point to let people speak even if they have opposing views. …
After my recent correspondences with certain Cumulus officials, I’ve lost confidence in that corporation. Regardless of the few short “standard replies” they’ve given, the fact is that Cumulus has effectively silenced the voice of the people, and basically told their most loyal listeners where we could put our voice…
Video and Stills from Channel 49 Video Report
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How can you help Jim Cates get his job back?
- Send E-mail to Spike Santee and protest Cates’ firing.
- Call Spike Santee’s cell phone and protest firing: 316-841-5754.
- Protest Cates’ firing to Cumulus Media/Cumulus Broadcasting, 3280 Peachtree Road NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305. Phone: 404-949-0700. President/CEO Lewis W. Dickey, Jr.
Related:
- Conservative Talk Show Host Fired in Topeka. Boss was donor to Democratic Party, Kansas Meadowlark, May 15, 2008.
Tags: Cumulus Broadcasting, Jim Cates, KMAJ, Protest, Skip Santee
May 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Please note that Aspen Construction has pulled its advertising as well.