WTOP Silences Comments On Illegal Immigration
By Greg L | 2 June 2008 | Illegal Aliens, Virginia Politics | 33 Comments
Guest Post by Scott Free
Supporters of the crackdown on illegal immigration in Prince William County, VA will no longer have a voice in the comments section of wtopnews.com, a popular local news radio station’s website. WTOP, a news station here in the D.C. Metro area, has a long history of being pro-illegal immigration. One of their reporters on this issue is Hank Silverberg, a staunch supporter of illegal aliens and an anti-enforcement spinmeister. This condescending piece from the WTOP website captures his views on the issue.
It started like any other day, with WTOP running another sympathy piece (by the Associated Press) about the plight of PWC businesses that used to feed off of illegal aliens. As usual, it was was laughed off and lambasted in the comments section by the overwhelming majority of commenters, who support the crackdown. I threw in my two cents here and there, and moved on.
The next day there was another story, almost identical in subject and tone, by WTOP’s resident illegal alien PR guy Hank Silverberg. But no “Post a Comment” button existed on this page. I figured it was an awfully convenient “mistake.” Nope. Turns out it was a new policy. Stories about the crackdown on illegal immigration in Prince William County will no longer be allowed a comments section. Hey, if that works, maybe they can shut down the comments on all illegal immigration stories. That would sure make it easier to ignore the fact that 99% of their readers think their articles read like a press release from La Raza.
Here’s the email conversation so far. Links to the stories and WTOP and a bit more on Mr. Silverberg’s opinion about illegal immigration follow.
From Scott:
I noticed that WTOP/Hank Silverberg’s latest pro illegal immigration story (nearly identical in content and purpose to one that ran the day before, strangely) was lacking a comments link. That seems like an odd coincidence, given that the popular sentiment of the comments sections never seem to align with WTOP’s editorial position against immigration enforcement. Tired of the criticism?
From Steve Dolge:
Scott, Illegal immigration, more than any other single topic, brings out some of the worst comments and people who post them on this website. These stories seem to attract the same small set of people who shed more heat than light. The day before your email, we got another one:”Why does WTOP continue to open the comment post for news items concerning PWC and imigration. There is no longer any useful thoughts being discussed. Its become, more or less, a place where xenophobic hate mongers congregate to bash anyone who isn’t white or think like they do. The comments have become hateful and disgusting.”I’m not sure I agree completely with that, but it’s not the first we have received and I do think it’s time to give those stories a rest.
From Scott:
Thank you for your prompt reply. I have several disagreements with WTOP not allowing comments on this one issue, and with your reply.
1) Any issue reported on your site that people feel passionately about will attract people with nothing intelligent to add to the discussion. I haven’t seen any censorship of any other issue, no matter how inflammatory the comments may become. I can provide you with examples, if you like, from stories about police officers, anything involving presidents and/or presidential candidates, the war, schools and violence, etc.
2) The comments sections are monitored/moderated to the extent that racial epithets and other foul language are not allowed. While I have seen many ignorant comments from both sides, I don’t see that as a reason to stifle only one side of the debate. The emails requesting that you stifle all speech on this issue aren’t coming from people who want our immigration laws enforced, or people who support the crackdown.
3) If you make this issue unavailable for comment, you are in effect giving only the pro illegal alien lobby a voice at WTOP. All of the articles on this issue at WTOP contain many quotes from Mexicanos sin Fronteras, the Woodbridge Workers Committee, Nancy Lyall, and hispanic people legal and illegal and citizen alike if they are FOR illegal immigration and amnesty. Then there will be a quote from Corey Stewart that does nothing to show the support that the majority of voters in Prince William County have for this crackdown. Comments sections like this are meant to give us a voice, even if some people don’t like what we’re saying.
4) Obviously I believe Hank Silverberg to be partisan on this issue. The tenor of his articles on illegal immigration are heavily spun to engender sympathy. His anti-immigration enforcement views are obvious in everything he writes. On this issue he doesn’t report news objectively, he writes opinion pieces. A perfect example from your Inside the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center page:
http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=&nid=682
I don’t expect Mr. Silverberg’s writing to change because of anything I say here. But I do believe that the pro enforcement side, which seems to include the majority of your readers on this issue, should have their say as well.
Here are some references:
- AP article dated May 27th, by Karen Mahabir, Associated Press writer.
- The Hank Silverberg story dated May 28th, unencumbered by those pesky comments that might distract you from the sympathetic spin
And here are some folks that might be interested in hearing from readers about this. You might want to share your opinion on this recent policy change with them.
Steve Dolge
Manager, Internet Operations and Programming
sdolge@wtopnews.com
202-895-5122
Hank Silverberg
hsilverberg@wtopnews.com
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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33 Comments
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If I were running a radio/Internet news station, I would certainly allow every comment of any ilk short of obscenity to be published. But that’s just me. But if WTOP, or Greg L., or Da Fat Broads want to limit discourse to none at all, or to just one side, well, that’s fine with me, also, as long as they’re not using my tax money to do so. And if they want to call me bad names because I’m such an advocate of the 1st Amendment, I’ll defend their right to do that, also.
WTOP is obviously a socialist front. Since they are elitist and enlightened enough not to allow comment, they can now be comfortable in the fact that they will always be right (in thier own eyes). Typical Liberal viewpoint. My way or the highway. Not much thinking going on over there. They must be tired of defending a point of view that has proven to be indefensible. Shallow, narrow-minded bigots. Notice the liberal use of the race card against whites, by whites. Doesn’t guilt overwhelm intelligence anymore?
Agree with Advocator. It’s regrettable, but as free enterprise goes, they are within their rights to pull the plug on comments, even if it’s micro-targeted to an issue that chaps the posterior of most PWC residents. I think it’s cowardice to stake out a position and muffle the debate around that position, however.
We are not a nation of immigrants. Most of us were born here. We are a nation of laws.
A family owned commercial fishing business in Virginia and two of its owners paid $6.8 million in fines and forfeitures after pleading guilty to hiring 126 illegal aliens to work on their boats.
http://www.the-triton.com/megayachtnews/index.php?news=2504
Wonder if they will actually pay the fine.
Listen to WTOP and boycott their advertisers. Simple!
Johnson said on 2 Jun 2008 at 2:53 pm:
WTOP is obviously a socialist front. Since they are elitist and enlightened enough not to allow comment, they can now be comfortable in the fact that they will always be right (in thier own eyes). Typical Liberal viewpoint. My way or the highway. Not much thinking going on over there. They must be tired of defending a point of view that has proven to be indefensible. Shallow, narrow-minded bigots. Notice the liberal use of the race card against whites, by whites. Doesn’t guilt overwhelm intelligence anymore?
This attitude always makes me laugh. Per Johnson it is the Liberal who have the it is my way or the highway. It must be that the Right wing so called conservatives are looking in the mirrow for they have just a radical attitude as the Liberals do. It is the FANATICS on both sides that need to be ignored for they are the cause of not solving problems and accomplishing what needs to be done. Neither Radical has any intelligence and never did have.
I’m curious and maybe a little out of the loop, who are “da fat broads” did I miss something here, can someone enlighten me?
J
j said on 2 Jun 2008 at 5:52 pm:
I’m curious and maybe a little out of the loop, who are “da fat broads” did I miss something here, can someone enlighten me?
It’s a reference to some other folks on another website that was spawned to counter this one. Whereas there is matter and antimatter, there is BVBL and the “anti site”.
Google is your friend.
Well, I’m not 100% sure, but my guess is “da fat broads” would refer to anti site. Unless it refers to some other fat broads, those are the fat broads I’m aware of.
Hey Bob Wills,
How come you always wear the same green shirt to the BOCS meetings? When I see you in the 9500 liberty videos it’s with that green shirt. Is it your lucky shirt?
Don’t let Corey silence you next time. I think if Corey tries to silence Bob next time for the sake of ‘decorum’, we all need to start going to the BOCS and complaining about it until Corey relents. Call it civic virtue.
Yeah, Bob, when they start trying to muzzle you, just start shouting louder. If Corey says anything back to you, just start yelling “point of order!” because Supervisors are not supposed to be responding to citizens during their portion of the meeting. I’m sure the other supervisors will support your motion.
TEAM BOB
“How come you always wear the same green shirt to the BOCS meetings? When I see you in the 9500 liberty videos it’s with that green shirt. Is it your lucky shirt?”
It is called the ” BOCS BEATER” and if you call now you can get the second one for free. Just in time for tomorrow.
Bobo- Did you come out and say the same thing when Ms. Caddigen tried to stifle someone’s veiwpoint?
You can always wear a ” What about Bob?” sticker for free if you do not want to buy a t-shirt. Where are the kids? A good craft project
Go Bobby!
Advocator:
“Da Fat Broads” — you actually said that, and others repeated it? Gee, I wonder why this site has the reputation it does? Here’s hoping you like what you see when you look in the mirror. I’m sure you’re a beauty.
Anon 10:06
“Da Fat Broads” opened up their anti-site ostensibly because they didn’t agree with the “censorship” of their pro-illegal stance here. I don’t know whether or not they were actually censored, by they claim they were. So they went away and opened their own site mocking this one. However, enough people started posting over there with comments they didn’t like, so they began to censor…er….”moderate” comments before they would be posted. They are obnoxious, one trick pony hypocrites and nothing more than talking points for La Raza and MSF. Nothing is beneath them; they even exploited Memorial Day to pimp out their pro-illegal agenda that illegals are being improperly recruited to join the military — no facts, just alot of hysteria, and a real slap in the face to the integrity of our all-volunteer force of men and women in uniform.
They are cows and not worthy of anything less than absolute contempt.
Let me just get out of the way that I understand the simplistic free-market arguments of Advocator and Rob Smalls posted above. That does not give WTOP a free pass to advocate when they claim to report the news. It doesn’t give them the right to get away with profiting from the First Amendment on the one hand while denying it to their readers on a cherry-picked issue-by-issue basis. If you can’t comment about WTOP’s partisanship on this matter, then it becomes difficult to use these same free market principles to bring public outrage to bear on them. Advocator and Rob Smalls seem to be suggesting that I shouldn’t be complaining about this censorship because WTOP has the right to do it. That’s ridiculous. As they themselves point out, WTOP is a private business. Only the thought that they might get away with this without losing money gives anyone there the right to do anything like this at all.
My reply from the eminently polite and professional Steve Doge at http://www.wtopnews.com :
“Scott, I appreciate your thoughtful feedback and you make some valid points. I disagree that turning the comments off favors one side. Frankly, I have no opinion on what side of the fence anyone is on immigration, global warming, gun control, abortion or anything else. Thats why the comment boards are there to begin with. Nor do I have any problem with readers taking issue with our stories and how we report them. It was never my intention to make this a permanent policy on stories about immigration, illegal or otherwise. I simply want to give it a rest for a bit. I have the entire audience to think about, not just a segment of it. And yes, we have turned off comments on other stories in the past. Thanks again for writing,”
And my reply:
“Mr. Dolge, again I thank you for your attention. If politicians as a whole paid this much attention to their constituents, there wouldn’t be an illegal immigration problem. And I must continue to disagree, hopefully making enough extra good points to change your mind.
1) If you want to allow comments on news stories and you don’t have a problem with people who disagree with how you report them, why turn the comments off at all?
2) And if you don’t think turning the comments section off favors one side, why are you turning the comments off at the request of people who want to portray the pro immigration enforcement majority of your readers as “xenophobic” racists?
3) While I believe that you may have turned off the comments for particular articles before, I don’t believe that you have censored commentary on a subject before.
4) At what point will you feel that enough of a “rest” has been given? Tomorrow a Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting will feature discussion on the Rule of Law resolution that fuels the crackdown. Can I assume that the story will be covered on WTOP? Will the story be as accurately portrayed without the comments from people like myself? I don’t think it will.
I’m very disappointed in WTOP’s lack of support for their readers’ First Amendment rights on this issue. But I really would like to thank you for your professionalism and courtesy in replying to my concerns. Thank you for your time.”
Yeah, I’m going to let this go. Sure.
Haven’t heard anything from ol’ Hank Silverberg. I think I’ll not hold my breath.
I too emailed Mr. Dolge asking why they turned off the comments and got a swift response very polite telling me the same thing that he tells Scott about giving it a rest.
If you don’t like what WTOP is doing my recommendation is to click on the advertisers on the page and email them and tell them you are boycotting them because of this. See what happens then. The advertisers add to the bottom line whereas people making comments do not.
Anti-Anti bvbl said on 2 Jun 2008 at 11:05 pm:
They are cows and not worthy of anything less than absolute contempt.
They are udderly shameless!
es_la_vey,
“google is your friend?” google “da fat broads” and see what you come up with. has nothing to do with immigration. If you dont have a context in which to search i.e. immigration, etc. then google is not your friend. Give it a shot yourself and see what happens.
Thanks for all that explained it for me, I went on that website and got the lowdown and my curiosity is satisfied.
j
Bob Wills-
“mirrow”? And you question my intelligence? Have a nice day!
Folks, when I use the term, “Da Fat Broads,” I really am not referring to anyone specific. It’s a generic term somewhat equivalent to “those guys.”
Now having said that, I’m reminded of a story told to me by a Kenyan anthropologist about an African bird (the Foo bird), whose feces smelled so bad, that if it crapped on you, even if you washed it off, you would still stink. Bottom line, if the Foo $hits, wear it!
Scot Free:
Please vent about WTOP’s irresponsible service to the people all you want. I encourage it. I would never suggest you do any less. But please don’t imply that somehow WTOP has an obligation under the 1st Am. to provide you, me, Reverend Wright, or anyone else a pulpit. It does not. It simply provides you, me, Rev. Wright, and everyone else within the jurisdiction of this country (to include those here illegally), with the right to espouse their opinions. But it does not guarantee you an outlet for that opinion. You gotta find that on your own.
Red Dawn said on 2 Jun 2008 at 8:49 pm:
TEAM BOB
“How come you always wear the same green shirt to the BOCS meetings? When I see you in the 9500 liberty videos it’s with that green shirt. Is it your lucky shirt?”
It is called the ” BOCS BEATER” and if you call now you can get the second one for free. Just in time for tomorrow. ”
I called and ordered one of these shirts. They look great. The tag was itching me like crazy. I took the shirt off to tear out the tag, and this is what it said:
100 percent cotton
Machine wash cold
Light iron if necessary
DO NOT DRY CLEAN, ESPECIALLY AT
A $#@DAMN KOREAN DRY CLEANER!
Advocator beats me to the punch again.
I don’t care that you complain about their decision - you’re fully within your rights, and it’s the responsible thing to do given WTOP’s decision. But assuming you’re entitled to their soapbox is misguided, regardless of their abuse of the public trust. Better to leverage the venues you do have access to, like BVBL.
Scott,
While you will never convince me this is anywhere close to a First Amendment issue, I will likely turn the comments back on with the next related story. Thanks again.
Steve
Steve Dolge
Manager, Internet Operations and Programming
sdolge@wtopnews.com
202-895-5122
So, we’ll see if they do. Thank you to all who joined me in voicing our opinion on this issue. I agree with everyone that this was not a First Amendment issue per se, I feel that their cherry-picking this issue came close, given their editorial bias. If their comments sections are meant to be a place for their readers to give their opinions, then they shouldn’t close it just because the pro-illegal alien population is offended that most Americans don’t agree with them.
Good work towards a (likely) good outcome, then. Congrats Scott.
j said on 3 Jun 2008 at 8:42 am:
“google is your friend?” google “da fat broads” and see what you come up with. has nothing to do with immigration. If you dont have a context in which to search i.e. immigration, etc. then google is not your friend. Give it a shot yourself and see what happens.
Mea culpa. I should have been more specific with that.
Googling anti + bvbl would have been my suggestion. I don’t want to imagine what googling “da fat broads” would return. I won’t even try.
Scott Free said on 3 Jun 2008 at 2:58 pm:
So, we’ll see if they do. Thank you to all who joined me in voicing our opinion on this issue. I agree with everyone that this was not a First Amendment issue per se, I feel that their cherry-picking this issue came close, given their editorial bias. If their comments sections are meant to be a place for their readers to give their opinions, then they shouldn’t close it just because the pro-illegal alien population is offended that most Americans don’t agree with them.
Kudos and good work!
es_la_ley
I am sure it will not return something that can be viewed in the presence of small children!!!
I do not think the comment issue was a first amendment issue either, but I do see the point of the post. Why should they get to cherry pick which issues are allowed to be commented on and which ones are not. Seems to me like censorship on their part. I understand it is their business and they can choose which stories to turn them on for, but I can also see that if they do not turn them on for a certain subject then that could be considered censorship on their part since opposing views can not be given.
Guess they are just doing the things Americans won’t do:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/crime/article.aspx?storyid=81340
The UNITED STATES of AMERICA has the worlds worst laws when referring to “illegal entry, and illegals Babies” .
To enter this country in an illegal manner and remain, including overstaying a Visa, is nothing more than a mere misdeamnor. A virtual slap on the wrist,
and the so called “Anchor Babies” law was NEVER meant for any invading persons into this country.
Anchor Babies was for the Slave babies who were “FORCED” here by us .
When slavery ended, an oversight by the Congress has never changed it.
These two lackidasical Laws are the reason Illegals came here, because they were told by their Govt. that America, the stupid, would not harm you and you would only get a fine, pay any taxes you may have not paid, and guess what people, Americans have a law that will let you have your baby here and you will NOT have to pay for it, if you claim you cannot afford it.
You will also get to have your Baby become an American citizen, because they were “born on the soil” ( jus soli”) and when your American citizen child reaches 18 years old, they then can sponsor their ENTIRE family to America. This Entire family includes Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts,Uncles. Neices, Nephews, any Mexican born Brothers and Sisters. In most families, an average of ten per child.
So according to our countries own estimate, their are 850,000 NEW AMERICAN BORN BABIES, and in just a very few short years , these Babies will have turned 18, yes, and now we will see many new groups coming here, nearing 8.5 Million more Hispanic persons entering LEGALLY, and according to our own rediculous Laws, becoming citizens.
People who have NEVER helped build this country, died for it, nor anything at all, entitling them to be a citizen, except to invade us…..!!!!
Those who fought and died for this country must not only turning in their graves, they are pleading to have life again for dieing for nothing.!!!
American citizenship is sacred to all of us who have served , been wounded and those who died, all for nothing !!!
America is the only country to have NOT changed its laws to (jus sanguinis) one parent MUST be a Citizen ), BEFORE, the baby is declared a citizen…..
and America is the WORST Country in the World towards “illegal” entry.
Please read the illegal entry to enter Mexico….it is a stunner..!!!
All of Europe has changed its laws , but not this lowly rated Congress….they are paid off to NOT change the laws ,so Big Business can make more money ,at your expense, since these illegals will work any job, but for a lesser wage, putting many of them inder the poverty level of this Country, therefore ,the American citizen MUST pay to bring them up to above this level.
THIS is the part, when Americans sharply start shouting “foul” because most of us have raised our kids, now we have to support the “invaders” babies and the poverty stricken ones ,who cannot speak write or read our language.
This amounts to a whopping $ 866 Billion per year…!!!
When did America HAVE to support other less fortunate countries..? It has always been thru our own good hearts that we have volunteered to do so….now we are ORDERED to do so….!!!
Since Congress is hired by us ( Votes) and paid by us (taxes) , they work for us, but being paid off by lobbyists , you will find that America has become an unsual GREEDY Country ,where unless you pay off certain people, you only have one hope left to regain your country, and that is your VOTE…!!!
Unless you read the www.congressgrades.com url , you then can find out those who do NOT listen to their constituencies, but are paid off by lobbyists.
To VOTE these persons OUT of their job, is the only way we can win, otherwise …America will deteriorate in less than 4 years….you read the truth right here folks…..