 |
At least three Toronto radio stations have pulled songs featuring Michael Jackson off their playlists, in the wake of news that the pop star was under investigation for child molestation.
Scratch CHUM-FM (104.5) and CHFI-FM (98.1) from the small list of local stations that occasionally carried Jackson's songs. Oldies station CHUM-AM has even pulled old Jackson 5 songs. "It's a tough call," CHFI program director Julie Adam said. "You don't want to get into a situation where you're convicting somebody. But right now, with the charges he's up against, we're not going to be playing any Michael Jackson songs."
Adam said CHFI didn't generally play Jackson's new material, but routinely played his Thriller-era material in its "gold" rotation.
"Our job at the radio station is to reflect the audience, and it's an adult audience, many of whom have children," Adam said. "I have a son and I'm a huge fan of Michael Jackson's music. But right now my appetite for Michael Jackson's music is slim to none, because the coverage surrounding him right now is not right or good or positive. It just doesn't feel good to be playing his music when your first thought is these horrible charges."
Rob Farina, program director of CHUM-FM, said the only time his station had played Jackson songs was during its midday Lost '80s Lunch show.
"I don't think there's a great desire to hear Michael Jackson right now, on our part or on the part of our listeners."
CBS announced yesterday it has scrubbed plans for a prime-time TV special celebrating the singer's career.