Radio Boss Issues Bizarre Memo Banning 119 Words From the Air
Tribune Company CEO Randy Michaels decided to micro-manage in the weirdest way possible — by banning words like 'authorities', 'diva' and 'manhunt' from the mouths of reporters or anchors at flagship news/talk station WGN-AM (720) in Chicago.
The station is located in his office building. Which is maybe why 'Randy' — his Wikipedia page says he changed his name from Benjamin Homel — thought it was OK to literally dictate what they say. He's also "directing his staff to keep tabs on each other's compliance: They're to report any on-air infractions by their co-workers, making sure to note the precise time and date on "bingo cards" he provided that contain a random assortment of Michaels' forbidden words," according to this report.
The full list is here, but the banned words include:
- Authorities
- Bare naked
- Clash with police
- Diva
- In the wake of (unless it's a boating story)
- Killing spree
- Manhunt
- Underwent surgery
- White stuff