101X hosts suspended for on-air remarks

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Radio show hosts on 101X, Jason Alvarez and Deb O'Keefe, are the latest DJs facing reprimand for using words on-air that resembled a racial slur. 

Both hosts are suspended for a week without pay and all, on-air Emmis radio hosts will now have to undergo cultural and diversity sensitivity training.

The comments were made when Jason and Deb were discussing the problem of cleaning up Zilker Park after Austin City Limits Music Festival. One of them suggested "hiring" a "wet vac." Listeners thought she had used a racial slur instead of "wet vac." According to a statement released by Emmis Austin Radio V.P. Scott Gillmore:

During that discussion they did not use any slur, but they did make foolish and ugly comments for which we sincerely apologize. They suggested getting a big squeegee or a 'wet vac.' They then repeated the wet vac suggestion in some suggestive and insulting ways.

The use of hire is also confusing, as O'Keefe is British, where "hire" and "rent" can be used interchangibly.

The comment was close to crossing a line that Emmis Radio is familiar with. This incident comes just four months after former KLBJ 590 AM host Don Pryor used the actual slur several times during a show. When that happened, the Hispanic community came out against the company, threatening a boycott if action was not taken against Pryor. Don Pryor lost his on-air privileges and the "Todd and Don Show" was canceled.

Gillmore said the comments made during both shows are against company policy.

In light of this, Emmis Austin Radio is going to arrange mandatory cultural awareness and diversity training for all on-air hosts on all six of our radio stations.

Austinites are split on whether the hosts should face reprimand.

"I think if you're offended, you don't have to listen to them," said Trish Winkler, an Austinite. "I mean you're free to not have to listen to that genre and if you find it offensive, turn it off."

Others, however, agree with Emmis radio's actions and called it a positive step forward.

"People should be made aware of their communities," said Leland Ulmer, an Austinite. "And, if people aren't sensitive to these issues, then we won't ever improve in that direction."

The Hispanic Contractor's Association, which came out against Emmis Austin Radio in July, agreed that the station made the right move in this situation.

"We appreciate Scott's decision," said the local USHCA President Frank Fuentes. "We don't have any plans to take action this time."