Bernie Ward Fired – For Now

The I-Team has learned that KGO Radio fired host Bernie Ward, effective at the end of 2007. He no longer works for the station. Ward has been off the air since he was indicted on federal child pornography charges last month – he admits downloading images from the internet and trading them with people he met on-line. His attorneys have said Ward was doing research for a book at the time.

KGO Radio General Manager Mickey Luckoff tells me the station took the action against Ward before knowing full details of the case, and that he wants him back on the air soon. Luckoff believes Ward’s explanation that he downloaded and traded child porn as research for a book: “Technically, it’s against the law. He admitted what he did. There’s no reason to believe he’s a pedophile.” Luckoff adds that Ward’s arrest “hit us like a ton of bricks.” Luckoff says Ward and his attorneys have assured him that the talk show host’s involvement with child porn is confined to the three incidents outlined in the federal complaint. You can read it here.

Ward and Luckoff will meet after the next court appearance January 24th, and he may be back on the air soon very soon. Luckoff tells me would hire him back, even before a possible trial wraps up: “We really value Bernie. He’s a very capable on-air talent.”

From the “Support Bernie Ward” website, it’s clear Ward is chomping at the bit to return to the air and discuss the political campaigns. He’s been posting essays on current events – the latest blasts the governor for proposing deep cuts in education. Ward’s also been thanking his long-time listeners who continue to support him.

Comments

[Possum]

the fact that they waited 3 years to charge him makes me wounder if this case has any legitimacy

[mellene]

I really hope Bernie Ward will be back on the air doing his six days a week which have informed and inspired us for so many years. I, like many of his loyal supporters are saddened that what was an investigative search became a federal witch hunt.

[Carol]

Regardless of what they are saying, KGO will never bring Bernie back. The radio station is way too classy!

[Tim]

Shame on KGO for taking Bernie off the air and firing him. He's been there how many years, 25 or more? He's made the station the number one in the the area. This is how they reward him?

Innocent until proven guilty. As Bernie's motto says, "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission." If you listen to him, you know he is not tech-savvy, and can believe he unintentionally broke the law. After this is put to rest, it is KGO that should ask for forgiveness. They should take them back, and Bernie should tell them to go to hell, but he won't.

Hope he is back very soon.

[Randy]

I only know what I've read and heard in the news, but if the federal case is as stated, I would welcome Bernie back to radio, at KGO or any other station.

I certainly think that with Bernie's political views, his prosecution certainly could be politically motivated. Dan Abrams, on MSNBC, did an interesting report on federal prosecutions and that Democrats are indicted at the federal level, over 5 times more often as Republicans.

[Randy]

I only know what I've read and heard in the news, but if the federal case is as stated, I would welcome Bernie back to radio, at KGO or any other station.

I certainly think that with Bernie's political views, his prosecution certainly could be politically motivated. Dan Abrams, on MSNBC, did an interesting report on federal prosecutions and that Democrats are indicted at the federal level, over 5 times more often as Republicans.

[confused in chico]

I don't know if he's guilty or not. Two different sides with two differnt stories. Who knows?

[Paul Strohm]

Greg wrote

People like "Sue" and "Paul Strohm" are hopeless. They should be ashamed of their inexcusable lack of decency and real ignorance of the American Constitution.

Pre-Trial - Anyone accused of anything is still innocent!!!
**********

I believe you mean presumption of innocence. Doesn't apply in this case since Ward's lawyer has admitted that Ward broke the law. The defense is that "book research" justifies breaking the law. I don't think so. Additionally Ward or his lawyer have offered not a scintilla of evidence of an actual book in progress.

My allegation that Ward is guilty of breaking law is no different that what Ward and his lawyer have said.

Ward, on the Support Bernie Ward site, says, "Just yesterday, a friend forwarded me a story about a professor at USF who had more than 15,000 images on his computer of child porn and received around five years for his crime. The government wants up to 60 years for what I did and I keep hoping common sense will prevail."

So Ward had less than 15,000 images. I believe him. But the fact that he had less 15k hardly excuses him from prosecution.

What about the children that are exploited so that Ward can do his "research?"

Ward may have many positive attributes, but can probably be said about many charged with this crime.

[John Majeski]

So let me get this right, investigating a serious subject is in itself equivalent to committing a crime? How would we have ever learned about Watergate, the Pentagon Papers, My Lai, Haditha? There are surely millions of obscene, objectionable images on the internet that should never be posted in the first place, so why are all the webmasters not being prosecuted? Or the federal judges and prosecutors and congressmen who in their elective or appointed capacity sift and pour over pornographic imagery, are they not just as guilty for the crime of 'bearing witness' as Bernie? It really boils down to intent, motive, purpose.

[Jonathan Morse]

Bernie Ward is a talk host that follows the way of the lion digging pawing to uncover secrets some secrets are benign no victims no useful information, some secrets are best left buried and some secrets are dangerous what makes the best talk host or reporters is there ability to tell the difference some hosts and reporters pick good stories some pounce on dangerous ones others shrink back into the safety of the common place the every day event, that’s the difference between lions and pussycats. We should reward the loins

[Greg S.]

"Paul Strohm" - you have your head in the sand, among other places.

Investigative reporting requires digging. When you dig up toxic waste you are going to get a bit on you. Should the toxic waste be left alone because of that?

But that isn't the real issue here.

The government puppets (called the DOJ prosecutors) want to bring Bernie Ward down any way they can because Bernie is so effectively attacking the Bush administration agenda and its covert behavior.

This issue is not a true search for justice about any "child predator." This issue is about Government suppression of the American free press. They are only using the "letter of the law" in this case to attempt to silence Bernie Ward, an outspoken and articulate critic who could do real damage if he is left on the airwaves.

Please come up for air soon.

[Greg S.]

One more thing for now, "Paul Strohm."

Your approach on this is terribly ego-centric. You seem to expect Bernie Ward and his Lawyers to bring their evidence to you. If you know anything about law, you would know that would never happen, especially Pre-Trial.

Oh, and thanks so much for splitting hairs on "the presumption of innocence," as if that was necessary. Yes, no one is presumed guilty before their day in court, except perhaps in your Kangaroo pen.

[Greg S.]

As you know, Bernie has been indicted on what we, his supporters, believe to be spurious charges of child pornography.

There are several key issues that stand out regarding the allegations: Bernie is an outspoken critic of the Bush administration and the Department of Justice has been notoriously incompetent at catching and prosecuting child pornographers.

The Department of Justice acknowledges that Bernie was doing research for a book,... (!)

but will not mitigate the charges.

Furthermore, despite their claims of the seriousness of the charges,...

THEY WAITED THREE YEARS

before proceeding against him.

To those more conspiratorial-minded, there is the definite possibility that this case is an example of selective-enforcement and the charges against Bernie are politically motivated.

If this is indeed the case, this issue threatens far more than the freedom of a single San Francisco talk show host.

TELL CITADEL TO SUPPORT BERNIE WARD and PUT HIM BACK ON THE AIR.

Las Vegas Office:
7201 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Suite 400
Las Vegas, NV 89128
Phone: (702) 804-5200
Fax: (702) 804-5396

New York Office:
142 West 57th Street
11th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone (212) 887-1670
Fax (212) 887-1668

[Barbara Sangenito]

WE CAN'T WAIT TILL BERNIE IS BACK.WE ARE DESPERATE FOR HIS TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE...WHY ARE 'THEY' TRYING TO SILENCE HIM ?????

[Greg S.]

Barbara, this is why -

The government puppets (called the DOJ prosecutors) want to bring Bernie Ward down any way they can because Bernie is so effectively attacking the Bush administration agenda and its covert behavior.

[William Faulkner]

The state has no business poking its nose into what people upload and download pertaining to images of people engaged in sexual activity. If sexual images of children upset you then there's a simple solution: don't view them.

Cops, get the hell out of people's bedrooms!

[Willlam Faulkner]

You did nothing wrong, Bernie. It makes no difference to me (and many others) why you did it, because it's none of the state's business what sexual material you or others may choose to swap or even sell.

If a kid wants to pose for pictures of that type then it's none of the state's business to horn in.

The above notwithstanding, I believe your explanation.

[Greg S.]

I do not believe Child Porn is defensible, or that it is something that the authorities should overlook. For good reason it is a crime. But investigating it is not.

Again, that's not the issue though.

The DOJ is using Bernie's investigative approach and twisting it into something is isn't - only to silence him. If they get away with this, no one is safe. That's why we all have to help Bernie fight this.

[Greg S.]

“The government knows that Bernie was doing this for an investigation he was doing for a book,” the Chronicle quoted attorney Weinberg saying. “But the government believes he violated the letter of the law, and they have gone ahead and prosecuted him….The fact that these events happened three years ago - and they are just being prosecuted – shows the fact that nobody believes that he is a child predator.”

[sb]

I don't miss Bernie at all. The hosts who've replaced him are far more intelligent, insightful, and say far fewer really stupid things. I wouldn't put revenge past the current Administration's tactics, after all of the things Bernie's commented on over the years. I hope he receives a fair trial, if that's possible in America. Any parent, priest, or person who's married who downloads photos of children is not too intelligent.

[Craig Young]

Sorry Bernie, but if you had robbed a bank and when apprehended exclaimed that you did it for a "research project for a book" would hold no weight and should hold no weight.

[Greg S.]

Have the last two posters seen the MSNBC show "To Catch a Predator" ? Bernie was doing no less than they do.

Again, again, again - that isn't the point!

The Bush-run DOJ is selectively prosecuting Bernie - TO SILENCE POLITICAL CRITICS.

If this is indeed the case, this issue threatens far more than the freedom of a single San Francisco talk show host.

[Greg S.]

NOW is the time to contact Citadel. Call and send faxes to their New York office.

Ask them to put Bernie Ward back on the air at KGO. They need to hear from all of you RIGHT NOW. Thank you.

Citadel - New York Office:
PHONE: (212) 887-1670
FAX: (212) 887-1668

More than 500 people have signed the online petition asking the DOJ to drop the charges and asking KGO and Citadel to put Bernie Ward back on the air.

Thank you for your care, concern and help in getting Bernie Ward back on the air at KGO.

ARTICLE: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/22/BA43UK479.DTL

[James Vincent]

I think that it is highly unfair to Bernie and KGO listeners to keep Bernie off the air. I would like to see him reinstated immediately for both the evening and God talk programs. It is not right that Bernie is being silenced. He is still innocent!

[Greg Bayes]

I am so glad the opportunity for a different host in the 10:00 to 2:00 slot. I can remember when there were really entertaining personalities at that time. Ward was so successfull with his Bush/Republican bashing that he drifted away from the other facets of his talent.