John DePetro: Still on the air at WPRO?

17-SEPT-08

The following letter (bold print) was sent to Paul Giammarco (630 WPRO’s Station Manager) over a month ago…..the second part of this letter (italics) was sent about one week ago.


Paul,

About a month ago I sent you the following e-mail:


Mr. Giammarco:

With regards to your morning radio host John DePetro:

Fact 1: It appears that there has been a huge "fix" of the latest Arbitron ratings.

Fact 2: It has been reported that 6 ratings diaries were from a single E Greenwich household.

Fact 3: DePetro lives in E Greenwich.

Fact 4: Arbitron has learned that the six Spring 2008 Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket metro diaries in question were returned from a media-affiliated household.

Fact 5: The six diaries indicated they listened to WPRO from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for over 109 hours (out of a possible maximum of 120 hours) during a single week. That's when DePetro is on the air.

Fact 6: The ratings for DePetro's show went through the roof among 25- to 54-year-old listeners - the money-making demographic that advertisers target. DePetro skyrocketed from a 2.0 share in 11th place this winter to a 6.8 and 4th place this spring.


Assumption 1 (not fact): John DePetro had something to do with this "fix".

sub-facts:
a) He had the most to gain from this deception.
b) He has the understanding of what this could mean to his value.
c) It "may have been" from his household based on reports.
d) The "fix" involved only his show.
e) He (DePetro) has had a very controversial career.


The "assumption" of DePetro's guilt in this scandal, based (not entirely) on the above sub-"facts" listed under the "assumption", would be more than enough evidence for DePetro to publicly crucify someone else for "alleged" wrong-doing. He would publicly humiliate the "alleged" conspirator on his radio show and laugh down anyone who had the nerve to point out that all the facts were not in.

I suggest we treat him the same way that he would treat someone else – fire him immediately!!!

Tom Kenney



Paul:

Since then it has been revealed that the diaries did indeed come from DePetro's home. Mr. DePetro claims that Mrs. DePetro was responsible for this unlawful and fraudulent act.

Your radio station has taken no action toward removing Mr. DePetro from the airwaves. I am forced to assume that your station, your parent company, and all the advertisers of DePetro's show condone (or at best, excuse) his and his wife's actions.

This type of behavior has been a continual problem with DePetro over the years. On his morning radio show, John DePetro continually attacks the poor, gays and lesbians and people of color, while fanning the flames of anger toward immigrants. Similar derogatory comments led to his firing from a Boston radio station.

It was with great regret that I tuned into Dan Yorke's radio show Tuesday afternoon only to hear an advertisement for Mr. DePetro's radio show scheduled for the next morning. I had assumed that he would be fired by this time in order for the radio station and advertisers to avoid alienating listeners who care about honesty and integrity in journalism and hold these reporters to a higher standard of ethical conduct due to their influence on the community.

I need to inform you that I will no longer be listening to your station. I have been a semi-loyal listener for years to your station during the late morning / late afternoon timeframe. I have never been a loyal listener of DePetro's because he has always lacked the integrity needed to be a journalist. He has always lacked the ability to examine an issue from both sides. He has always preached his cause/opinion and shouted down or hung up on opposing views.

I do, however, intend to listen to Mr. DePetro's program on one more occasion. I intend to listen on Friday to make a list of advertisers who still choose to fund his program. I will contact every advertiser and forward a copy of this e-mail along with my intent to boycott their company. I will also advise them that I will forward this boycott list to as many of my business, union, political, and family friends as I can reach. I will also post this list on as many political forums as I belong.

There is absolutely no room for a person with such low moral standards on the "public" airwaves. People and businesses who ignore (and thereby condone) his inappropriate actions will be exposed and boycotted.


Tom Kenney
Warwick, RI 02888



Note: As of 9/16/08 the following JohnDePetro advertisers have been identified, with more to follow:

RI Hospital/Lifespan
Lopco Contracting
Somersett Auto Group
Kevin Trudeau’s Debt Cures
Samson Realty
Paul Masse Auto
Miracle Method
Everclense
Super 8
Veazie Financial Advisers
Sherwin Williams Paint
Michelin Tires
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority


Searchbiddrive.com

The following dealers belong to this service:

Bald Hill Kia
1021 Bald Hill Road
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 USA
401-262-4102
www.baldhill.com



Barry's Auto Maul
250 W. Main Street
Milddletown, Rhode Island 02842
401-847-1231
www.barrysautomall.com

Cerrone Cadillac Pontiac GMC Buick
68 Washington Street
South Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703
508-915-8213
www.cerronegm.com




Flood Ford Greenwich
2535 South County Trail
E. Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818
401-884-4000
www.floodauto.com


Hyundai of Newport
1133 W Main Street
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
888-234-7021
www.hyundaiofnewport.com


Jaguar Wellesley
962 Worcester Rd.
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482
866-542-4533
www.jaguarwellesley.com

Land Rover Cape Cod
100 Barnstable Road
Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601
508-778-0044
www.rovercapecod.com


Land Rover Hanover
2144 Washington St.
Hanover, Massachusetts 02339
781-659-4000
www.roverhanover.com


Lee Volvo
962 Worcester Road
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482
781-235-8841
www.leevolvo.com


Mazda Galley
918 Providence Hwy
Norwood, Massachusetts 02062
866-771-1530
www.mazadagallery.com


Paul Clark Volkswagen
122 Liberty Street
Brockton Massachusetts 02301
508-587-9040
www.paul-clark.vwdealer


Rodman Suzuki /Ford/Lincoln /Mercury
53 Washington Street
Foxboro, Massachusetts 02035
800-574-6892
www.rodmanford.com



Rt 44 Toyota Scion /Hyundai
1154 New State Hwy
Raynham, Massachusetts 02767
888-237-1391
www.route44automile.com



Saturn of Dartmouth
143 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747
866-655-2902
www.saturnofdartmouth.com



Scott Volkswagen
260 Newport Ave
East Providence, Rhode Island 02916
800-568-5550
www.scottvolkswagen.com


Somerset Chrysler Jeep /Subaru
1451 Brayton Point Rd
Somerset, Massachusetts 02725
1-800-495-5337
www.somersetautogroup.com



Toyota Scion of Newport
285 East Main Street
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
888-234-7014
www.toyotaofnewport.com



Viti Mercerdes
975 Fish Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
888-289-8484
www.viti.com



VW Gallery
1280 Providence Hwy
Norwwod, Massachusetts 02062
www.vwgallery.com



Also, the following restaurants:

Top of the Bay Restaurant (Oakland Beach)
898 Oakland Beach Ave
Warwick, RI 02889
(401) 921-3663




Timmy’s One Bay Ave.
1 Bay Ave
Warwick, RI 02889
(401) 738-4777
www.timmysonebayave.com