April 28, 2008

Aaron Selbig fired from KUDO

KUDO 1080's Aaron Selbig was fired Sunday due to "programming changes" at the station.

In a phone interview this morning, Aaron told AlaskaReport that a meeting was scheduled Monday for the rest of the staff of KUDO to discuss the future of the station.

From Aaron's Selbig's press release:

Over the last few months, the IBEW, which holds the broadcast license for KUDO, has been negotiating with Mike Robbins' company, TATI Broadcasting, to manage the radio station for them. The deal was finally signed sometime last week.

We all knew there would be changes coming when Mr. Robbins took over operations of KUDO, and I welcomed the change. Change was inevitable. I was never led to believe, however, that my job was in danger in any way. I got along well with Mr. Robbins and Cary Carrigan (who is taking the reins of KUDO), thought that I shared their vision for the station, and was confident that I had a future there.

That changed Sunday afternoon when Cary called me down to the studio to "discuss programming changes" at the station. I was then fired, told that my job was being cut to save money. I asked if I was being fired as Programming Director or as host of the Aaron Selbig Show and was told "both".

That, officially, is all that I know.

The rumor mill is churning, I know, with the notion that I was fired for delving into the Bill Scannell/Jake Metcalfe story over the last week or so. It is true that I have been working on connecting the dots with Mr. Scannell's involvement, and posted this on the KUDO website forum last week, when I realized that Mr. Scannell was using our site to post his anti-Berkowitz misinformation. I have been sharing information with other reporters who are working on this story, as well.

I cannot say, however, that my investigation and on-air condemnation of the Scannell affair was what led to my termination. I was told, as I say, that it was done to save money.

I can say, with nothing but joy in my heart, that I have enjoyed these last three years at KUDO, and appreciate the opportunity that was given to me by the IBEW. It was a fun ride, to say the least, and one of the great experiences of my life. I will cherish the friendships I have made over these last three years and will take what I have learned into whatever adventure awaits me. I wish all of my colleagues at KUDO, especially Shannyn Moore, CC and J.R. Zufelt, all the best as they move forward into the future. I'll be listening.

Thank you.

Aaron Selbig