It now all sounds like a big misunderstanding, but the decision of Delmarva Broadcasting Co. to post video footage of its interview with Republican senatorial candidate Christine O’Donnell led to threats of a lawsuit but ended with an apology.
O’Donnell was interviewed Tuesday 11/26/10 just before noon on the station’s “Ric Jensen Show.” O’Donnell and her staff apparently had no desire for the interview to go onto video, and asked about it in advance but say they never got a clear answer as to whether or not video was to be part of the interview. According to reports, they proceeded nevertheless despite being able to see a technician set up for videotaping.
At the end of the interview, the campaign asked for the tape. The station refused, causing the campaign to threaten a lawsuit if the video was made public.
Eventually, the campaign decided there was no legal issue and apologized for the threats.
The video is still up on the station’s website, available for viewing at www.wdel.com.
RBR-TVBR observation: You have to admit these are amazing times. Just a few short years ago, it would have been unthinkable for a radio station to be involved in a controversy over video content. Kudos to WDEL, if for nothing else, taking their website seriously.
