WVNN Morning Host Suspended Over Press Stunt

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

News/Talk WVNN-AM & FM/Huntsville, AL, morning talk host Dale Jackson has been suspended for one week after posting a satirical news release using the Alabama state seal on his web site earlier this week. Cumulus/Huntsville GM Bill West confirmed the suspension and earlier this week Alabama Attorney General Troy King said unauthorized use of the official state seal, or facsimile, violates state law.

Even though the piece was an obvious satire -- from a fictional "Office of the Secretary of Electoral Elections," Jackson now agrees that he should not have used the seal. "I stated numerous times on my program the release was a joke and when I realized people were trying to imply it was legit I replaced it on my web site with the Secretary of State's real press release stating June 9th was election day," Jackson said in a statement posted on his web site.

"I find it hard to believe anyone would actually believe this was actually taking place here in Alabama. Never in the history of our election system has an election took place on two days," he added. "On my program in the past I have talked about other satirical items including the Tampa Bay Rays moving to Huntsville and the launching of a new "all Dale Jackson" radio station on 98.5 FM. I use satire and sarcasm in my commentary and will continue to in the future."