Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Women in Chicago radio call out 'toxic and sexist' culture in male-dominated industry [View all]
First Kathy Hart disappeared from “Eric & Kathy,” the morning radio show on WTMX-FM that bore her name for two decades. Then another co-host, Melissa McGurren, departed three years later, without explanation.
As these women’s voices vanished from The Mix, Eric Ferguson remained, continuing as host of his popular show until a furor over allegations of inappropriate behavior forced the Radio Hall of Famer from the airwaves last month. The controversy has fueled discussion about the way women who work in Chicago radio are treated, with all four women who spoke out about Ferguson alleging management of 101.9-FM protected him because of his high ratings.
As these women’s voices vanished from The Mix, Eric Ferguson remained, continuing as host of his popular show until a furor over allegations of inappropriate behavior forced the Radio Hall of Famer from the airwaves last month. The controversy has fueled discussion about the way women who work in Chicago radio are treated, with all four women who spoke out about Ferguson alleging management of 101.9-FM protected him because of his high ratings.
Struck by the number of high-profile women departing radio jobs, the Tribune interviewed three dozen women in Chicago radio over the past 10 months, finding both enthusiasm for their work and widespread frustration with what many described as a male-dominated business. Ten women said they left their jobs because they were not happy with the way they were treated, while other female voices were reduced or silenced because of cost-cutting efforts by radio companies — including during the pandemic
.
First, Mary Dixon was shut out of WXRT-FM 93.1′s annual broadcast of the Cubs home opener, even though she had been part of the station’s lineup for years. Then her morning newscasts were reduced by half, a move accompanied by a pay cut of nearly 40%.Finally, in 2019, she was escorted to her shared office and offered a box for her stuff. She was being laid off.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-women-in-chicago-radio--20211104-7bsx67de5ba6ljiz3r4obrtcti-story.html
I have listening to WXRT since high school (tho not as much now). I was shocked to hear about Mary Dixon. I gotta say I'm naive. The program had an air of liberalism with their DJs some who have been on since the 80s. I know Mary left the newsroom to go to WBEZ our NPR station that actually now DOES have a lot of diversity in their staff Their local programming is very liberal dealing with equity on a daily basis in their news stories and commentary/interviews. I'm sure she got a pay cut and hope she is in a better place.
I'm glad The Tribune did this article. If you have a subscription it's well worth reading the whole thing. It just made me very sad and opened my eyes. I guess as a nurse in a pretty much all female field, I'm sheltered from some crap.
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read