Cumulus Orders Ban on False Election Fraud Rhetoric On the Air

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 11, 2021 | 12:28pm CT

Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media has ordered its talk show hosts to stop spreading false claims that the 2020 Presidential Election was rigged and stolen by the Democratic Party.

The Washington Post reports that Executive VP, Content & Audience Brian Philips, wrote: "We need to help induce national calm NOW," in an internal memo. Philips also said Cumulus Media and Westwood One, "will not tolerate any suggestion that the election has not ended. The election has been resolved and there are no alternate acceptable ‘paths.'"

Those who disregard the mandate will be fired per the memo. "If you transgress this policy, you can expect to separate from the company immediately."

Since the election, Westwood One-syndicated hosts Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin and Dan Bongino, have been echoing the false claims of Trump, who continues to say that the election was rigged. The company has taken action against KMJ Fresno (580) midday host Ray Appleton, who has been suspended without pay for saying that some members of the media should be "hanged" during his Thursday, Jan. 7 program.

The Washington Post calls it "a stunning corporate clampdown on the kind of provocative and even inflammatory talk that has long driven the business model for Cumulus and other talk show broadcasters."