Anthony Cumia Firing Indirectly Prohibits Free Speech [Opinion]
I admit it. I’m a fan of Opie & Anthony. I’m a fan of the brash, unapologetic, rough around the edges but warm and fuzzy insides of the former WNEW and now former Sirius XM Opie & Anthony Show (O&A). While nobody publicly will give Sirius XM grief for the firing of Anthony Cumia, it’s hard to do after the rant that Anthony went on via Twitter, I’m conflicted with the dismantling of O&A by the once boundary breaking Sirius XM satellite radio.
See, Sirius XM had always been a place to find radio just like O&A, Howard Stern, Ron & Fez and tons of other alternative talk programming that left a sour taste in the mouths of terrestrial radio program directors. Looking at the words that Anthony Cumia tweeted at face value are tough to read, but that’s what he does. This is Anthony Cumia, take it or leave it. That’s what his fans, and fans of the O&A show love about him and the show, and their guests. Read Anthony Cumia’s tweets by clicking here.
Sirius XM knew exactly what they were getting when they got into the O&A business. Anthony Cumia did not relay his tweets on air at the show, they were on his own Twitter account. Instead of waiting to see if they drop listenership, since that’s how they pay their talent and other overhead, they acted swiftly and decided to end its relationship with Anthony Cumia. One that I think they acted too swiftly on. After the O&A Show arrived on Sirius XM, it took on a whole new face with the ability to say what they want, how they want, in whatever form it should take place. They were free to act as they pleased, a complete 180 from life on WNEW and other terrestrial radio stations. Why should Anthony Cumia’s Twitter account be any different?
Free speech is something that we covet more than any other law or belief in our country. By Sirius XM firing Anthony Cumia, they indirectly smothered his free speech, speech that Sirius XM knew that the hosts of O&A were capable of, and willing to, say. Most comedians write material that is on, or slightly over the edge, but we are afraid to say them publicly because of the backlash that we may receive. The truth is that Cumia is unafraid. When he thought that his employer had his back through thick and thin, since his show broke so many “rules” of broadcasting, he was able to say what he thought, this time, unfortunately, Sirius XM decided that what Anthony Cumia says off the air is just as punishable as what he may say on air.
Anthony Cumia is a comedian. He doesn’t take the stage, at least not often. His comedy is behind a radio microphone. Comedy is a subjective science. One that is often misunderstood. Anthony Cumia was taking his experience and adding his brash style of comedy to Twitter, not Sirius XM airwaves. Even Cumia knows that any form of broadcast has its limits. However, social media does not have those limits, at least we all thought. While Cumia may have felt the effects of his Twitter rant by the court of public opinion, I don’t think it would have degraded the paying subscribers to Sirius XM’s service. In fact, it may have caused a few more listeners to sign up. However, now that Sirius XM acted swiftly, they are assured some drop off of subscribers who are die hard fans of the show, and there are plenty.
[Photo Courtesy of Zimbio]
