Last week, my regular weather segment on KUOW’s Weekday was canceled. As the whole incident has unfolded, I’ve realized it isn’t about Northwest weather or my occasional comments on math or science education. It is about the essential nature of public radio.
The facts are clear. For 16 years, I have contributed to KUOW, mainly through a five- to six-minute spot on the station’s Weekday program. I volunteered my time because I loved doing it and thought it was important. From the beginning, I insisted that it be more than a weather forecast; my segment had to provide the “whys” behind our local weather and reveal the technology underlying weather prediction. It was meant as scientific outreach, patterned (in a poor way) after the work of my mentor Carl Sagan.
Because KUOW listeners appreciated this approach, the segment continued under a variety of KUOW Weekday hosts. Over time, my topics expanded naturally to include advocacy for new coastal radar (which we got!) and even evaluations of the skill of local TV weathercasters. Based on my day job—teaching thousands of University of Washington students—I became increasingly concerned about the lack of math skills of students coming out of high school. Hundreds of my colleagues felt the same way. And I talked about that on a handful of occasions on my radio segment.
But problems started to develop a few years ago. By that time, Steve Scher was the only host on Weekday and a new producer had taken over as his aide. At first, my rare forays (perhaps twice a year) into talking about math education were no problem, but everything changed on a program when I discussed the role of “discovery” math (not direct instruction but students having to “discover” the principles, lots of group and calculator work, etc.) and the need for better math standards than the “discovery” approach in our state. Advocates of such teaching approaches at the UW College of Education and a separate math-education group in the math department bombarded KUOW with complaints. I was told by Scher and his producer never to talk about educational issues again. They said I was essentially part of KUOW news since I was a regular, and thus they had to present both sides. I countered that it was ridiculous to consider me a KUOW news staffer (after all, I had never been paid by them) and, besides, they had many regulars advocating issues without “balance” (like Rick Steves and his push for pot legalization).
This debate between us went on for a while, and then they laid out an ultimatum—talk about education even once and I was off the program. I caved, considering that if I quit, the Weekday listeners would lose out on quality weather coverage. Scher and his producer never seemed to care or consider the listeners. A year or so passed, and last month, the Seattle Times had a front-page article about strong straight-A students being rejected by the UW in order to secure high-paying out-of-staters. I am an undergraduate adviser with access to student records, and after a discussion with the dean of admissions, I knew the story was deceptive and inaccurate. (As confirmed by the dean of admissions, the only straight-A students who were being rejected were those with cream-puff classes, poor SAT scores, or some other significant deficiency. He also confirmed, as I had found out, that out-of-state students accepted were generally stronger than in-state students—e.g., higher math SATs). Furthermore, the previous discussion of this topic on Weekday‘s “Week in Review” session was misinformed.
The next week, when my segment was moved to the second hour, I mentioned the facts.
That sealed my fate. Shortly after, the Weekday producer sent me an e-mail saying I was forbidden from talking about issues other than weather. I waited a week to respond to this provocative e-mail and tried to be conciliatory, yet principled. I wrote back to say that while I was not looking to talk about other issues more than a few times a year, I could not agree to self-censorship and such restrictions were out of keeping with the nature of public radio. The next day, in a note from Steve Scher, I was fired.
The reaction by the public stunned me. My blog has received almost 300 comments, my e-mail inbox was filled with over 400 supportive comments, a Facebook page was created with more than 1,500 supporters, and KUOW’s Facebook site and e-mail inbox were inundated with hundreds, if not thousands, of critical comments. People really cared, and the discontent extended well beyond my situation.
The huge reaction to my firing reflects the importance of public radio to so many and the isolation of many public radio staff from those they should be serving. Thousands of Northwest residents clearly care about public radio and its role as a “community center” for discussing the major issues facing our region and nation. Furthermore, beyond my situation, all the comments and e-mails suggest an unhappiness with many aspects of KUOW’s offerings and a feeling that this public radio station no longer reflects the public’s interests or cares about their needs.
It appears to many that when a KUOW host has control of a public radio show for decades, he comes to feel that the program is his to do with what he likes, rather than the public’s. It is his show, not theirs. Increasingly, local public radio has become isolated, rigid, and unresponsive to those it serves, even as it requests increasing public support. The rise of social media has shown that other modes of creating an intellectual commons are possible, and the contrast with an aging and inflexible local public radio enterprise has become stark and obvious.
I would love to return to KUOW to continue to talk about the amazing weather of the region, but I don’t want to do it with a muzzle—unable to discuss my concerns as an educator. Weather is important, but our society’s failure to properly educate many of its youth is a crisis, and both deserve open discussion on the public airwaves. 
An article about the Mass/KUOW riff by Mass. That is SO Mass. Was I the only person who got sick of the shameless self promotion of his book, where he would be talking and signing etc.? Give me as break. This is more about Mass losing precious (and free) on air promotion of Mass Inc. He is free to do or say anything he wants to all of you who clamor…via pod cast.
Science and education are inextricably linked. Science is about education, about learning how the Universe works. And about sharing that knowledge and process with others to improve the world.
Steve Scher and KUOW staff, if you invite any good scientist onto your show, Weekday on KUOW, even if they are there to talk about the weather, the discussion will inevitably lead back to education. Why do scientists take the time to write books and articles, to publish their research, to go on TV and radio shows? To educate, and to promote the cause of education itself.
KUOW agreed to this when they first added Cliff Mass to the segment. From Cliff Mass’s blog:
“My involvement with KUOW began in the mid 90s when I was contacted by them to replace the previous weather person, Art Rangno. I told them that I was not interested in just giving the forecast, but wanted to do scientific outreach, trying to follow (in a modest way) the footsteps of one of my mentors, Carl Sagan, who convinced me that scientists had to communicate directly with the public. I offered KUOW a hybrid: a weather forecast/weather 101 combination and that was accepted.”
I wholeheartedly endorse the efforts Cliff Mass has done to speak out in this issue, both on KUOW and in a court of law. Thank you, Mr. Mass for standing up and putting your reputation, career and your personal finances on the line.
On a personal note, my wife and I withdrew our kids from public schools in a large part because of this horrible Discovering Math curriculum. We enrolled them in Catholic schools (even though we are athiest/agnostic!) because they are way better at teaching math and science. The public schools in this country are an abysmal failure and it is the duty of any good scientist or educator to speak out on this issue. I feel that Cliff Mass had an excellent way of portraying the relevance of this issue to the large community of people who were drawn to his weekend weather forecast out of interest to the topic. It is not off topic, it is the heart of the topic. If I wanted a brainless weather report with no educational substance I would go to commercial radio or TV.
Steve, please consider the precedent that this sets for your talk show. You are one of the torch bearers for the public voice in broadcasting in a time when the government Is making that form of communication increasingly difficult.
I will no longer support KUOW with my own personal financial contributions as I have done in the past unless this issue is sufficiently addressed.
@46 Sorry, but Cliff Mass is handling this matter in a very undignified manner and he richly deserves the scorn he is receiving for it.
@13, etc. In listening to Steve Scher’s show I learn the thoughts of those who come to town to speak at Town Hall, Benaroya Hall, McCall Hall, Kane Hall, Elliott Bay Books, Third Place Books, etc. Those folks usually thank Steve for a thoughtful interview and they never dismiss him as a windbag.
Cliff Mass’s arguments about why he should be allowed to air his opinions on Public Radio during his agreed to weather reporting seem more a professorial “rant” at KUOW, the senior manager of the station, the policies, and Steve Shere personally than a studied, focused argument on censorship.
Yes, Public Radio should present differing viewpoints, not necessarily at the same time, but I can’t see how any radio station (or media for that matter) could plan programming based on the personal opinions of the weatherman AFTER the weatherman has offered them.
Just because it’s “Public” Radio does not mean it is exempt from professional, journalistic standards. If it was it would become just another “talk radio” station where every individual seems to think they have a right to “over talk” each other to forward their particular, individual ideology.
I’ve enjoyed Cliff’s KUOW segment for years, including his concerns about math and science education. Jeff Hansen of KUOW replied to my email that they expect commentators to stay within their allotted field; maybe this can change with sufficient community comment. I enjoy Steve Scher, but perhaps he’s grown stale over the decades… time for a new Weekday host?
Er….a question. Can you actually “fire” someone who, in his own words, has said he never got paid by KUOW?
My main issue with Cliff Mass’s firing is that as a listener I want Cliff Mass and his comments on the weather (and whatever). What I don’t want is Steve Scher, who is incompetent. Having Mr. Scher do the firing was just salt on my wounds.
@56- When you tell a volunteer they can’t volunteer anymore, “firing” is a reasonable word.
You’re handling this in a pretty classy way, Cliff. Kudos.
I hope Dr. Mass develops his own radio show, gets picked up by a different station, or begins a regular podcast. Getting canned is a frustrating experience, to say the least, but it sounds from all accounts that Weekday just wasn’t the right gig for him anymore, for several reasons. Time to grieve and move on. Too bad he felt it necessary to burn bridges with a station he’d been a part of for so many good years.
I also hope the Weekday staff take the feedback they’ve received from listeners because of the firing, and apply it to improving the show, which somehow manages to get more boring with each passing year. They clearly need to balance the interviews of authors pushing their books with local/civic issues for the sake of reporting on local/civic issues. You know, a news-based call-in show. Like it was 8 years ago when I started listening.
Now HERE’s a weatherman I would have enjoyed listening to!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/lo…
@52 How the hell is Catholic school better at teaching math and SCIENCE?! There’s no room for science in creationism.
yeah they have a right to let him go just like I have a right to not give them money when they come begging.
Cliff Mass being warned on the air, something you won’t find on his blog
http://www.kuow.org/mp3high/mp3/WeekdayB…
I think the UW policy is horrible. We all know what it’s about…money. Who pays taxes so that the UW can accept students from Washington State at a lower rate? Washington State taxpayers. If Cliff is so worried about folks getting a good education, why can’t he support students with lower Math SATs going to the UW? Math IS important but so is education that is available to everyone who wants it and especially those who live in Washington State and who have been paying taxes here. Higher SAT scores also come from those folks who have parents who are able to send them to special SAT courses that also are not cheap. I like Cliff Mass. I think KUOW should keep him but I don’t think it’s right to defend his pro-math, anti washington state taxpayer student stance when he is wrong. Most people who major in math will never use that skill when they graduate. We need students who are involved in community building and the labor movement. See… every one has an opinion…
With all this spinning up ever more gustily around him, this week Steve Scher did two of the best interviews I’ve heard in more than 40 years of frankly fairly obsessive listening to radio, with Susie Bright and Steve Earle.
I must have heard at least five different shows devoted to Ms. Bright, and always before come away frustrated that she seemed interesting and significant, but I couldn’t really say why or what she was about. Now I feel I really know who she is, thanks to Steve.
Steve’s last interview with Chomsky also got more out of him than any of the more than a dozen I’d heard with other moderators previously. Steve asked a question that got Chomsky to reveal that Bertrand Russell is one of his biggest heroes (hugely significant for the many parallels between their lives, although I do assume Chomsky has not seduced as many of the wives–including Whitehead’s!– and daughters of his collaborators and colleagues as Russell did).
It’s nice to know that the center can in fact hold, at least this time.
I gave up on KUOW about 6 months ago when I just got tired of hearing TWO canned episodes of “Marketplace Morning Report” during my morning get-going routine instead of 20 more minutes of actual NPR. (Ooo! What’s today going to be: “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”?…”We’re In The Money”?…”Stormy Weather”?…WHO CARES?!?!)
I gave money to KUOW. I’m Done. My money went to KPLU this year! Pledge drive was WAY shorter, better programming, and none of this bullshit!
@67: This “bullshit” is the result of KUOW broadcasting local news programs with local voices. KPLU does none of that. And all the more reason why KUOW and Steve Scher should let a valued local voice like Cliff Mass speak his mind.
I like Cliff Mass. He is worth listening to. Steve Scher is not worth listening to it turns out. I urge all of the “members” to ask for their money back. I just donated $100. and I definitely am not going to do that again. Not unless they offer Cliff an apology.
I’m on Sher’s side but I also agree with @67. KUOW had steadily gone downhill ever since the departure of Bill Radke. I do adore Sarah Learner but it’s clear that there is less local news. KPLU is far superior in that sense.
KUOW does have sone longer stories that I like. But its hard to find them between so many repeats and silly things about touchy feely experiences. I know it’s valuable to some but it’s not my cup of tea.
I digress. Bottom line, go NPR, I love KPLU and KUOW, Mr. Mass seems to be a little bit of a crybaby.
I second the comment from Valkyrie: “If Scher were doing his job, he would have invited Mass to participate in the discussion about UW admissions, and would routinely invite him to participate in any discussion about math and science education.”
Scher’s mumbling, often indifferent interviewing style is tolerable only because the guests are interesting and usually very articulate. Cliff’s weather reports have always been engaging, enlightening and useful. If Scher & his producer had offered Cliff another way to share his views & knowledge on education, this fracas could have been avoided.
I second the comment from Valkyrie: “If Scher were doing his job, he would have invited Mass to participate in the discussion about UW admissions, and would routinely invite him to participate in any discussion about math and science education.”
Scher’s mumbling, often indifferent interviewing style is tolerable only because his guests are interesting. Cliff’s weather reports have always been engaging, enlightening and useful. If Scher & his producer had offered Cliff another way to share his views & knowledge on education, this fracas could have been avoided. Lousy management, guys.
As a long term KUOW listener & supporter, I find it tragic that KUOW chose to make a mountain out of a mole hill over this issue.
It is particularly tragic because Steve Scher is one of the most interesting & least formulaic interviewers & conversationalists in American public radio. Steve’s effectiveness & charm is due to his ability & willingness to follow bright, curious & interesting people’s thought processes wherever they sometimes meander. It’s an essential part of the art of conversation, as is his skillful ability to then gently rein in his errant guest & turn the conversation back to the main topic. Had he quietly continued doing with Cliff what he repeatedly did and does so well with many of his other guests & contributors, we listeners would never have cared or known any different.
Do yourselves and your listeners a favor. Acknowledge your mistake, and invite Cliff back to his rightful place on your program.
Thanks for letting Cliff Mass have his say – and I hope he becomes a regular feature in your pages. Since moving to Seattle in 1994 I have found the Stranger to be the ONLY source for reliable news, especially on community affairs and politics.
many many things are connected to education. it seems like a leap of logic to say that he should get to talk about education on his weather show. sounds like prof went gradually expanding his job description and finally came up against a wall.
and booh hoo, mr. tenured professor. you got fired from your radio (volunteer) job. chin up, at least you have a job, and you can say almost any tangential thing you want in the name of academic freedom and no one can ever fire you for it.
but i can’t stand Scher either. agreed on that one.
Please – keep up the fight against Discovery math!!
My daughter’s second grade teacher came from the UW’s math education program and was a staunch proponent of Discovery Math. My daughter learned absolutely nothing from her. Couldn’t even fucking add. What a waste.
Math education programs must constantly churn out new fads in order to justify their existence. They’re mission in life is to “fix” things regardless of whether they are broken.
We already know how to teach math and have for decades. There’s no mystery to it. Given the UW budget crisis, they would do well to make huge cuts in the math education department.
Hey @27 @44 & @64 Farley Mowhat:You’re either Steve Scher himself or one of his rubes, enough with the sock-puppetry, shit is stupid and pointless, not unlike this comment.
this is just another example of the death throes of old media. and good riddance. we don’t need you any more.
and to all those people who say cliff has no right to talk about other topics (very occassionally btw/) on his bit.. what kind of tyrants are you? this guy volunteers his services on a weekly basis for 15 years & he gets fired for occassionally talking about related topics that he has experience w/? what kind of a relationship is that? where’s the give & take? where’s the respect for this individual who you & your show have a relationship w/? it’s nowhere, because old media is a piece of shit.
KUOW is just a cozy club for journalists:
Joni (“Eastside”) Balter is allowed to spout off every week on Weekday on any topic – usually unencumbered by any knowledge – purely because someone annointed her a “journalist” (whatever that means).
If Frank Blethen with his great largesse, decided to start paying Cliff Mass would that somehow give Cliff, like Balter, the right to speak freely on KUOW ?!
What got Cliff fired was an attempt to correct bias and misinformation from the Seattle Times, that was discussed in the review segment on Weekday.
To have Cliff Mass subsequently speak on Weekday without giving him the right to respond makes him appear – by his forced silence – to be assenting to these inaccurate claims about the UW! Anyone following the program would likely think, “Oh, that info about UW must be correct, otherwise Mass would have said something….”
I know this kind of editorial practice is quite common in [Iranian] Public Radio!
It seems most of these comments have been written by Cliff Mass under various noms du plume.
noms de plume
with @4 100%. stopped reading the comments at that point.
Why does volunteering give a person the right to break the rules of the institution he’s volunteering for? Let Cliff volunteer somewhere else. I lost all respect for him when he sued the Seattle School Board over the Seattle School Teachers selection of a math textbook – why would anyone with a sincere interest in children’s education take such an expensive, demoralizing action in a time of severe recession and budget cuts? Re his weather reporting – he was dead wrong on at least one major snowstorm this past winter. The man is all ego.
Kate Bradley Sammamish
Steve Scher sounds like a lightweight radio putz. Belongs on “Morning Drive” in some mid-tier midwest city. Cliff Mass is a successful, published, productive professor at U-W. I know who I would want to hear, and I know what lameo putz belongs out of a job.
Another reason to not support “public” radio that is not public but agendized for some other focus, which may perhaps be to destroy the integrity of public education. I don’t know how these people who control these decisions sleep at night. I remember a time when democracy and discussion and discourse was a good. That has been proven to no longer exist at UW and KUOW. No more donations from me. It is over.