Entercom CEO David Field and Spanish Broadcasting Systems have released statements regarding the protests across the country following the murder of George Floyd.
Like many other companies across all industries, SBS stated their support for the African American community and the rejection of racism and social injustice. Field released a longer memo to employees commending them, in-particular at their all-News stations for the work they have done, while stating the company is “committed to doing our part to foster a more just, harmonious, inclusive and equitable nation” and not tolerating racism.
Field wrote to staffers:
What an extraordinary week this has been. Last Monday’s unconscionable murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer has ignited a tumultuous week of protests and violence across our nation. We understand the rage over this tragedy and other senseless deaths of Black Americans and fully support peaceful protests and other efforts to build a better and more just, equitable and inclusive nation.
It is deeply painful to watch our cities burn, local businesses looted, fellow citizens turn on each other and our social fabric tear as peaceful protests are exploited and turn violent, all at a time when we are already reeling from enormous simultaneous health and economic crises. Violence merely deepens the pain in our society and distracts us from focusing on the real issues and solutions.
During these deeply troubling and sad times, we should all be extremely proud of the outstanding work of our content teams and stations across the country. Our news stations and our courageous reporters are informing our listeners of the latest developments and insights on what is happening in our communities and throughout the nation. Our talk show hosts and personalities across our music and sports stations are sharing powerful, personal perspectives and engaging our communities, helping to bring us together. Our stations are also playing an essential role by providing a forum for Americans to listen to each other and exchange views with those of different backgrounds and life experiences, helping to drive deeper understanding and mutual respect.
There are far too many individuals and stations to salute individually, but I do want to acknowledge in particular the terrific teams at our all news stations, 1010 WINS, WCBS, KNX, WBBM, KRLD, KYW, WWJ, and KCBS, along with WCCO and the rest of our news-talk stations across the country for their extraordinary journalism, as well as our entire programming team for their excellent and important work.
If America’s history tells us anything, it is that as ugly as things may be, better times should lie ahead. Entercom is committed to doing our part to foster a more just, harmonious, inclusive and equitable nation. We believe the vast majority of Americans share that stance as we see evidenced all around us in the everyday actions and good will of our teammates and fellow citizens. We also remain committed to being an inclusive workplace that does not tolerate racism.
As a nation, We The People must strive to ‘form a more perfect Union.’ We must ensure that we are indeed ‘One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,’ or else as Abraham Lincoln warned ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand.’
My heartfelt best wishes and thanks for all you are doing to lead us and our nation forward in these troubled times,
David