I assert that Mr. Monroe should pony up advertising dollars every time he “give[s] a plug on [for] our morning show ‘Breakfast with Roger and Friends’ ” in his column for The Community Word (née, West Bluff Word).

His radio program is on commercial radio. As such, promotions for it should include remuneration, to the WBW, in the form of money, not mere trade-outs. Although I understand that the WBW might approve because “he writes his column without charge, so we let him plug his show” and “he mentions the WBW, on his show, in kind,” I find that arrangement too cozy. A large number of WBW’s other contributors are involved with commercial enterprises: they seldom (if ever) plug those companies or products in their writing. If they do, I’d suggest the same constraint for them. Best as I can tell, Mr. Monroe takes advantage of the opportunity to mention his program often.

Freedom of speech and press rights allow/enable Monroe to represent his point of view. Further, his contribution is a column (his opinions/observations) and not hard news reporting. However, I note that he often writes his column as though he’s reporting important news. That stance muddies the water. I think he “takes advantage” of that aspect of the column inches as well.

Full disclosure, I often (always?) disagree with Monroe, but that’s not the point.

Shameless commercial plugs are not protected speech. I believe you should either charge him or edit those plugs out of his column. Alternately, if the WBW insists on allowing current practice, the fact that the arrangement is a “trade out” should be clearly indicated above or below each of his columns.

Edward Lee Lamoureux, Ph.D
Professor Emeritus of Interactive Media and Communication,
West Peoria