Radio Discussions Forum Suspends TV Joe For Telling Truth!
HOUSTON, TX -- RadioDiscussions.com, a large web-based community of broadcasters and radio enthusiasts, has cited "potential libel" to censor a man's freedom of speech.
Joe Donalson, owner of an upstart web-based radio station JoeFM.net, claims the forum's moderator is bowing to pressure from a corrupt broadcaster's lawyer. "I wanted to take JoeFM into the video arena," said Donalson. "I launched an online music video channel and started looking for ways to put it on the air." Hosted by the World TV network, TVJoe.net is consistently ranks in the top 10 most watched channels. "In 2013," Donalson continued, "upon learning that there were two licenses for low power TV stations in the Houston area that were not being used, I contacted a lawyer who, according to FCC records, represented the licensee Roy Henderson." m the r |
Donalson claims that attorney Ben Perez granted him permission to put KVDO-LP and KJIB-LP back on the air with the following conditions: (1) that it be done at his own cost; and (2) that he cease broadcasting if and when Henderson built out digital facilities. Donalson also claims that after spending a lot of money on equipment, and broadcasting TVJoe.net on channel 5 and 25 for almost six months, Henderson attempted to claim there was no agreement and reneged.
"When I wouldn't shut it down," Donalson explained, "Henderson apparently fired Perez and had a different lawyer surrender the license."
For months, the future of TVJoe being seen over the air in Houston has uncertain as Donalson petitioned the FCC to reinstate the licenses abandoned by Henderson. As Donalson awaited a decision, he began investigating Henderson's broadcast operations.
"I found numerous instances of perjury," Donalson declared. "For years, Henderson has been filing paperwork with the FCC declaring that his numerous broadcast stations in Texas and Michigan are on the air when they are not. The law is clear: if a station doesn't broadcast for 12 months, you lose your license. I also discovered Henderson is a man who gets sued a lot, curses and throws staplers at his employees, gives people checks that bounce, and who has been repeatedly in trouble for not paying his taxes. One former president of the Texas Association of Broadcasters even went so far as to label Henderson as the "antichrist of broadcasting."
"Federal law provides that dishonest people like Henderson lack the moral character to hold a radio license," Donalson continued. " As such, I have provided the FCC with video and audio recordings, photographs, and documentary evidence of every act I have found where Henderson has done something illegal or morally wrong. I have also posted some of this evidence on various web forums -- including Radio Discussions."
Acting on threats of litigation from Henderson's lawyer, RadioDiscussions.com has removed some posts and censored Donalson's future comments.
"I have had to suspend [Donalson] for potential libel against a broadcast radio station owner," RD General Manager Charles Bosworth said in a published statement. "This has been a "fine line" argument for a while, whereby...comments that are borderline libel, and much "dirty laundry" has been aired. But in a recent post I feel he has stepped over the line. We have already given him warning about discussing said broadcaster and he has ignored that warning. I will be speaking with the owner's attorney next week and hope to reconcile any issues."
"The referenced post," Donalson replied, "was an email I sent out that, among other things, discussed a recent interview I had with FCC investigators about the illegal actions of two broadcasters, enforcement actions that may soon be taken, and a plan to put TVJoe back on the air at very low power using new TV white space technology. A copy of the email, as well as the post that was removed from Radio Discussions, can be seen on my TVJoe.net website."
[REMOVED POST REPRODUCED BELOW]
"Bozworth claims the censorship is due to potential libel," Donalson concluded. "However, libel can only occur when a published statement is false. All I did, and all I've been doing, is telling the honest-to-God truth!"
"When I wouldn't shut it down," Donalson explained, "Henderson apparently fired Perez and had a different lawyer surrender the license."
For months, the future of TVJoe being seen over the air in Houston has uncertain as Donalson petitioned the FCC to reinstate the licenses abandoned by Henderson. As Donalson awaited a decision, he began investigating Henderson's broadcast operations.
"I found numerous instances of perjury," Donalson declared. "For years, Henderson has been filing paperwork with the FCC declaring that his numerous broadcast stations in Texas and Michigan are on the air when they are not. The law is clear: if a station doesn't broadcast for 12 months, you lose your license. I also discovered Henderson is a man who gets sued a lot, curses and throws staplers at his employees, gives people checks that bounce, and who has been repeatedly in trouble for not paying his taxes. One former president of the Texas Association of Broadcasters even went so far as to label Henderson as the "antichrist of broadcasting."
"Federal law provides that dishonest people like Henderson lack the moral character to hold a radio license," Donalson continued. " As such, I have provided the FCC with video and audio recordings, photographs, and documentary evidence of every act I have found where Henderson has done something illegal or morally wrong. I have also posted some of this evidence on various web forums -- including Radio Discussions."
Acting on threats of litigation from Henderson's lawyer, RadioDiscussions.com has removed some posts and censored Donalson's future comments.
"I have had to suspend [Donalson] for potential libel against a broadcast radio station owner," RD General Manager Charles Bosworth said in a published statement. "This has been a "fine line" argument for a while, whereby...comments that are borderline libel, and much "dirty laundry" has been aired. But in a recent post I feel he has stepped over the line. We have already given him warning about discussing said broadcaster and he has ignored that warning. I will be speaking with the owner's attorney next week and hope to reconcile any issues."
"The referenced post," Donalson replied, "was an email I sent out that, among other things, discussed a recent interview I had with FCC investigators about the illegal actions of two broadcasters, enforcement actions that may soon be taken, and a plan to put TVJoe back on the air at very low power using new TV white space technology. A copy of the email, as well as the post that was removed from Radio Discussions, can be seen on my TVJoe.net website."
[REMOVED POST REPRODUCED BELOW]
"Bozworth claims the censorship is due to potential libel," Donalson concluded. "However, libel can only occur when a published statement is false. All I did, and all I've been doing, is telling the honest-to-God truth!"