Re: Robert Feder: To Catch a Predator SUED, Marv Dyson's in the News

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: : Wasn't Marv Dyson responsible numerous racism and sexism complaints at clear channel? : : May 31, 2007 : : BY ROBERT FEDER Sun-Times Columnist : : A top-notch investigative producer from Chicago is suing NBC over alleged ethical lapses involving the news series "To Catch a Predator." : : Marsha Bartel, who was fired last December after a stellar 21-year career with NBC (including 10 years at WMAQ-Channel 5), claimed she was forced out after blowing the whistle on the show for violating journalistic ethical standards and many of NBC's own policies and guidelines. : : A copy of her lawsuit, filed in federal court May 24, turned up this week on thesmokinggun.com. : : Bartel, 49, who now works with news anchor Mark Suppelsa as a special project producer at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32, is seeking $1 million in damages from NBC for breach of contract. : : "To Catch a Predator" reports on sting operations that target men who believe they have arranged for sexual liaisons with minors online. : : The setup usually involves the targets' exposure and humiliation on camera by nauseatingly smug host Chris Hansen. Then they're arrested by local police outside. : : In her lawsuit, Bartel claimed that NBC pays a vigilante group called Perverted Justice to lure targets into the sting, and that the network's relationship with the group and law enforcement agencies crosses ethical lines. : : Contrary to NBC policies and guidelines, the suit said, targets often are "led into additional acts of humiliation (such as being encouraged to remove their clothes) in order to enhance the comedic effect of the public exposure of these persons." : : After Bartel became producer of the show and conveyed her concerns to her superiors, she was fired in retaliation, the suit said. She was told her firing was part of mass layoffs at NBC. : : In a statement, the network said Bartel's suit had no merit. : : "We have been transparent about our reporting methods, including the role of law enforcement and Perverted Justice," NBC said. "Although the reports have been subject to some controversy, audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive." : : : : TRACKING : WEIGEL FAMILY MEMOIR : : * * Tim Weigel, the legendary Chicago sportscaster who died of a brain tumor in 2001, will be recalled in an upcoming book by his broadcaster daughter, Jenniffer Weigel. : : Stay Tuned: Conversations With Dad From the Other Side, to be published in October by Hampton Roads, reflects on the father-daughter relationship and reveals Jenniffer's spiritual quest to reach him after his death. : : * * You had to love the special report news anchor Warner Saunders delivered on Channel 5's 10 p.m. newscast Tuesday about plans by Tribune Co. to drop its sponsorship of the Chicagoland Spelling Bee. : : Especially when the on-screen graphic had it as "sponsership." : : : : DIALING : DYSON'S MARVELOUS HONOR : : * * Marv Dyson, one of Chicago radio's most esteemed executives for 40 years, has been named Broadcaster of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. : : He'll be honored June 14 in Springfield. : : Calling Dyson "a broadcaster's broadcaster," Dennis Lyle, president and CEO of the IBA, said: "Marv never stops giving back to the industry or his community." : : Dyson, who stepped down in 2003 as president and general manager of Clear Channel Radio urban stations WGCI-FM (107.5), WVAZ-FM (102.7) and WGRB-AM (1390), is a principal of Urban Radio Communications. : : He also is a consultant for City Colleges of Chicago and director of operations for Kennedy-King College's WKKC-FM (89.3). : : * * Andrew Patner, host of "Critical Thinking" on Window to the World Communications' classical WFMT-FM (98.7), debuted Wednesday as an online columnist on theater, opera and other arts in Chicago. : : His twice-monthly reports are seen on Bloomberg.com's MUSE, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. : : * * Devotion to Accuracy Department: An item Wednesday about Bobby Skafish included an incorrect frequency for CBS Radio adult rock WXRT-FM (93.1).

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