Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Radio Host Suspended for 'News Editors Should Be Hanged' Comment
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 4 years ago on
January 9, 2021

Share

Longtime Fresno radio host Ray Appleton has been suspended after an on air comment he made Thursday morning suggesting some journalists should be “hanged”.

Appleton hosts a three hour weekday program on KMJ. The station is owned by Atlanta-based Cumulus Media, which made their decision Friday.

“Cumulus Media operates from a clearly-defined set of programming principles and there is no question that Ray Appleton’s comment is a direct violation of those principles,” the company said in a statement Friday on Twitter. “As a result, we have suspended him,” the company’s statement said.

Appleton did not appear on a scheduled live show on Friday. A previously recorded episode of his program aired in its place.

Appleton issued the following apology within the Cumulus Twitter statement:

“I realize that my reckless choice of words was irresponsible and I would never condone violence toward anyone,” the statement said. “I want to specifically apologize to my colleagues at KMJ and all who serve in the media. After 50 years in broadcasting, I understand that my choice of words matters and I made a mistake that won’t happen again. I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”

Ray Appleton’s Thursday Facebook Post

After a critical reaction Thursday to Appleton’s on-air comment, the host posted a long message on his Facebook page attempting to explain his remarks. The post was later deleted from his account, but said:

“I made the statement that because of this “inconsistent way of reporting certain news editors should be hanged…….maybe.”KMJ Radio Host Ray Appleton

“I spent a good deal of time talking about how frustrated I was with the news media for not reporting things in a fair and consistent way you know not using the old level playing field routine. I made the statement that because of this “inconsistent way of reporting certain news editors should be hanged…….maybe,” Appleton wrote.

He said he revisited the topic later on his show “to clarify and clear up that statement which was clearly tongue in (cheek).”

“If you were of the persuasion that I meant that? Well, please relax and understand that is not my intent my wish or any reality that I live in. So I apologize profoundly to those of you who were upset by that,” Appleton said on Facebook.

GV Wire℠ attempted to obtain a full recording of the on-air segment for review. KMJ Program Director Blake Taylor declined to provide one and said a subpoena would be required to acquire a copy. Taylor also said that, at the direction of KMJ’s parent company Cumulus Media, he would have, “No comment at this time.”

By Friday morning, KMJ’s website posted hours 2 and 3 of Appleton’s Thursday show, but not hour 1.

GV Wire℠ sent an email to Cumulus Media’s public relations department in Atlanta that was not returned.

Fresno Bee Editor’s Reaction

Fresno Bee Editor Joseph Kieta took to Twitter to voice his concerns about Appleton’s comment shortly after it aired.

Kieta tweeted, “Ray Appleton told his audience today that editors at American news outlets “should be hanged.” Are you threatening my life and the lives of my staff, Ray? Should I call the police?”

Kieta told GV Wire℠ one of his reporters, Tad Weber, “heard it loud and clear.”

Kieta later posted a screenshot of Appleton’s Facebook response. Appleton later deleted the post from his account.

Portrait of Jim Boren

“In the current environment, it is very dangerous to suggest that members of the media should be “hanged” for reporting news that you don’t like.”Jim Boren, executive director for the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust

Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust

Jim Boren, executive director for the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust issued a statement Thursday about Appleton’s comments.

As with Appleton’s explanation, GV Wire℠ is providing Boren’s full statement:

“In the current environment, it is very dangerous to suggest that members of the media should be “hanged” for reporting news that you don’t like. I have no problem with people criticizing the media, but don’t suggest violence even if you are joking to make a point. If this was tongue in cheek, as Ray says in his Facebook post, I’m glad that he has cleared this up. That was the right thing to do, and I urge him to also explain it to his listeners on his next show. But even a tongue-in-cheek comment can be dangerous because some people these days take their cues from leaders in our community.”

“In 2020, there were 328 journalists assaulted, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, and 76 journalists had their equipment damaged. In D.C. on Wednesday, we saw the mob damaging the equipment of journalists because the “enemies of the people” mantra has somehow given them permission to attack journalists. “Murder the media” was scratched into a door of the Capitol.”

“I believe strongly in the First Amendment, but I also believe that we must be responsible in the language we use against people we disagree with. Criticize their positions passionately, but let’s not ever suggest that violence should be used against anyone.”

This story has been updated to include information about Appleton’s Friday suspension by Cumulus Media, the corporate owner of KMJ.  

[activecampaign form=25]

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Fired Teacher and Coach Ed Madec Seeks Justice

DON'T MISS

Fresno Location Is Among the 500 JOANN Fabrics Closures

DON'T MISS

Clovis Wrestles With Fallout From ‘Non-Sanctuary City’ Idea

DON'T MISS

California Farm Donates Hundreds of Thousands of Eggs to Wildfire Victims, First Responders

DON'T MISS

As Council Race Heats Up, Dyer Credits ‘One Fresno’ for New SE Sports Park

DON'T MISS

Editorials of The Times: Now Is Not the Time to Tune Out

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Substitute Questions Students About Immigration Status

DON'T MISS

USAID in Turmoil as Aid Programs Cut, Staff Stranded

DON'T MISS

Look Past Elon Musk’s Chaos. There’s Something More Sinister at Work.

DON'T MISS

Navy Crew Members Eject From Their Jet Before It Crashes off the San Diego Coast

UP NEXT

Pentagon’s New Media Rotation Program Boots NPR, NY Times, NBC News

UP NEXT

Apple Changes Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Maps

UP NEXT

Red, White, and Blueland? GOP Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename Greenland

UP NEXT

White House Bars AP Reporter From Oval Office Because of AP Style Policy on ‘Gulf of America’

UP NEXT

After Criminal Case Tossed, Madec Fights to Get Fresno CC Classroom Job Back

UP NEXT

Can a Joint Fresno Committee Allay Immigration Fears? These Leaders Want to Try

UP NEXT

Russia Has Released Detained American Teacher Marc Fogel, the White House Says

UP NEXT

Canned Tuna Sold at Trader Joe’s, Costco, H-E-B Recalled for Botulism Risk

UP NEXT

Fact Check: No Evidence Chelsea Clinton Took $84 Million From USAID

UP NEXT

Private Jets Collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, Killing at Least 1 Person, Authorities Say

California Farm Donates Hundreds of Thousands of Eggs to Wildfire Victims, First Responders

13 hours ago

As Council Race Heats Up, Dyer Credits ‘One Fresno’ for New SE Sports Park

13 hours ago

Editorials of The Times: Now Is Not the Time to Tune Out

14 hours ago

Fresno Unified Substitute Questions Students About Immigration Status

14 hours ago

USAID in Turmoil as Aid Programs Cut, Staff Stranded

15 hours ago

Look Past Elon Musk’s Chaos. There’s Something More Sinister at Work.

15 hours ago

Navy Crew Members Eject From Their Jet Before It Crashes off the San Diego Coast

15 hours ago

Kellen Moore Exits Eagles to Become Saints Head Coach

15 hours ago

The Deadly Truth: Record Number of Journalists Killed in 2024

16 hours ago

CHP K-9 Seizes 50 Pounds of Illicit Mushrooms in Fresno County

16 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Fired Teacher and Coach Ed Madec Seeks Justice

On this week’s Wired Wednesday, GV Wire senior reporter David Taub talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the firing of ...

11 hours ago

11 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Fired Teacher and Coach Ed Madec Seeks Justice

12 hours ago

Fresno Location Is Among the 500 JOANN Fabrics Closures

12 hours ago

Clovis Wrestles With Fallout From ‘Non-Sanctuary City’ Idea

Rosemary Farm family representatives Jose Pelayo, left, and Lisa Stothart deliver a donation of hundreds of thousands of fresh eggs to feed first responders and those in need in the community through the donation of Rosemary Eggs at the Los Angeles Food Regional Bank in City of Industry, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP/Damian Dovarganes)
13 hours ago

California Farm Donates Hundreds of Thousands of Eggs to Wildfire Victims, First Responders

13 hours ago

As Council Race Heats Up, Dyer Credits ‘One Fresno’ for New SE Sports Park

President Donald Trump signs an executive order on birthright citizenship in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)
14 hours ago

Editorials of The Times: Now Is Not the Time to Tune Out

14 hours ago

Fresno Unified Substitute Questions Students About Immigration Status

Priya Kathpal, right, and Taylor Williamson, left, who work for a company doing contract work for the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, carry signs outside the USAID headquarters in Washington, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
15 hours ago

USAID in Turmoil as Aid Programs Cut, Staff Stranded

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend