This complaint involves radio station WJER-AM in Dover-New Philadelphia, OH. where a former County Commissioner wants to know why a station employee took it upon himself to air free commercials for a candidate for office he supported. Belle Everett filed the complaint with the FCC alleging improper handling of the matter by WJER. Here are the details.
According to TimesReporter.com, now former WJER employee Michael Alesiano purposely played more commercials, than the total number of spots purchased, for Everett’s opponent Joe Sciarretti, during the November election. Another station employee caught Alesiano and reported him to management. WJER General Manager Amy Smith said that station believed it had resolved the issue by giving Everett 20 free ads, which exceeded the 12 extras given to Sciarretti’s campaign. Management also asked for, and received, the resignation of the employee who aired the free spots.
GARZIGLIA BLOG: WHEN YOU OWE A CANDIDATE FREE AIRTIME AND WHEN YOU DO NOT
In the November election Sciarretti received 21,770 votes (56.02%) and Everett received 17,090 votes (43.98%).
The complaint says WJER GM Bob Scanlon contacted Everett on Nov. 4 TimesReporter.com reports that a document states: “In an effort to rectify the situation, Mrs. Everett was compensated with 20 free commercials at a value of $230. On 11/4/16 Mrs. Everett verbally stated that she was satisfied with this compensation and considered the matter resolved.”
Alesiano, who works at another radio station now, is calling Everett a sore loser.
Wow. Looks to me like this particular story left a lot of information out, specifically about the part where the station has NO WAY of tracking home many commercials Mr. Sciaretti received for free. Beyond that, the station should be held accountable for the blatant disregard for any record keeping and their rush to brush this under the rug and dole out free commercials (which were played in low listener times and none on the day of voting).
Sounds to me like the station did everything right. Maybe even too much in the favor of the complainer