Does anyone else think this might just be a big publicity stunt? Steiner was ready to stop doing his show and YPR needed the coverage. What would have gotten more press? A long drawn out goodbye or an abrupt firing followed by a dispute.

Either way, this is the most I've heard YPR talked about in years!

Could the ratings drop because he's on at lunch time and people tend to not eat at their desks?

No one in the WYPR listening community can believe the firing of Marc Steiner. Having worked with him on music shows I know how hard Marc has sweated the past 14 years to create a large involved community of listeners across the broadest racial and cultural spectrum of Baltimore and Maryland.

The listening community now knows the true priorities of Ms Bozzuto, Mr Bienstock and Mr Brandon and our response is close to universal as can be obtained in our divergent society-they are wrong! The troika should apologize to Marc, offer him increased duties, powers and support within WYPR and in good faith all three should tender their resignations. There can be no clear indication of this troika's disdain for their listenership than Mr Brandon's 6 days of silence during this self made crisis of leadership (home reading My Pet Goat I am tempted to suggest)followed by his mealy mouthed non explanations offered under the feeble questioning by his own employee on air today. The Board needs to answer unequivically why this momentous decision was undertaken without any consultation with the station's Citizen Advisory Board? I suspect they did not want their own prejudices vs Marc to meet the reality of their listener-ship's thinking.Also we need to know who approved the concept of $50,000 being offered Mr Steiner to remain mum to the press after termination of his contract? I suggest the answer would be they did not want us to hear what went down (censorship by the media of itself in its own self-interest). When we hear that explanation we need to ask the Board of Directors to surrender the license to operate the station, apologizing profusely and slinking back to their Hunt Cup!

This is a media leadership disaster equivalent to MPT's dismissal of Rukeyser, the LIF firing is minor dustup comparatively.

I was tired of Marc Steiner and am glad to see him go.

I've lived in Maryland since 1997 and have found the Marc Steiner show to be a wonderful resource for hearing about local, state and federal issues. As well, Marc's arts and culture coverage is quite good. His show is an intelligent, civil, balanced respite in the sea of muck that otherwise exists on talk radio. I will miss the show a lot and have already decided not to renew my WYPR membership. Next, I may stop listening altogether: WAMU (DC) and WHYY (Phil) are be adequate alternatives. Big mistake WYPR!

Marc Steiner was the reason I started listening to wypr, without him the station will not be the same. I will not be tuning in any longer. I can tune into other NPR stations and or the internet to hear my other favorite shows.

To me, Marc Steiner was one of the reasons to listen to WYPR. It was local news that was incomparable in the area. I find it odd that no replacement for his show has been announced (or probably planned beforehand), and that I can find no statement on the WYPR website reporting the change. Sadly, it appears that WYPR has shifted from public radio to ratings radio.

The firing of Marc Steiner reminds me of the firing a number of years ago of Davey Johnson, one of the strongest managers the Orioles ever had. He was one of the few who would get in the face of these spoiled, childish, superstar athletes and make them perform in a team-like way. However, the owner of the team, Peter Angelos, and Johnson clashed and Davey was shown the door.

I don't think the Orioles have had a winning season since.

Same thing happened in New York when Giuliani's Police Commissioner, William Bratton, became more popular than him.

Buz believes that Steiner was a truly outstanding jounalist who knew a lot of the players in the city; I'm sure that the right-wing fire-breathers on the other talk shows hated him. But he really had some great shows: his five-part series on Vietnam was very moving and enlightening, and his interview with Felicia Pearson, Snoop, was thought-provoking.

I think WYPR will go the way of the Orioles. Their big mistake, in my most humble opinion was expanding to 50, 000 watts and buying stations on the Eastern Shore and Frederick. People, listen, ain't nobody in Ocean City or Frederick gonna care about what happens in Baltimore--which they all hate and fear. People interested in listening to public radion in YPR's format don't really care what's going on in Frederick or OC, either. Management just drove up their fixed costs to satisfy the mantra that bigger is better, and missed their niche of the sophisticated urban, urbane listener. There are plenty of suburban oriented stations to cater to those audiences.

Oh, I'm sure Marc could have been a difficult fellow to handle, but he was your main, maybe only big product.

By the way, the introduction of this show the Signal, on Fridays in Marc's time slot, was the beginning of the end. This poor dumb retired guy could never figure out what they were talking about: I guess one had to be one of the Creative Alliance types to really get into it. I dunno.

This move is difficult to fathom. Because I'm generally teaching/otherwise engaged, I don't get to listen regularly, but I do frequently download the rebroadcast. I predict a huge decline in listening.

Since when does a public station really try to justify something based on ratings? I thought it was all about quality, and guess what-- isn't WAMU still broadcasting Kojo? Too bad it's so focused on Washington. We need people as connected in Baltimore as Marc to be a voice and advocate for the city.

The ONLY reason I listenED to WYPR was for the Marc Steiner show...now I will just listen to NPR on Sirius or WAMU

As I wrote in my email to Anthony Brandon, as a longtime member and supporter of WYPR, in protest of Marc's firing, I will now switch my allegiance and money to WAMU. I think they forgot what a listener favorite Marc really is. The other local programs are no where near the quality of Marc's show.

All that WYPR needs to do now is cancel 'The Signal'. Except for the execrable 'Maryland Morning', there will be nothing left to remind us that we do, in fact, live in Baltimore.

Thanks a lot, WYPR, for putting 'ratings', over quality local programming. I wish Mr. Steiner well in whatever his next venture might be.

Marc Steiner was the master of bringing political insight to Baltimore audiences. His show was intelligent and worth listening to. He was once the guest speaker at the opening meeting of Baltimore County Public Schools teachers. What a shame a public radio station was overly concerned with ratings. I thought that is why we, as listeners contributed to and supported the station...so we didn't have to worry about ratings. Shame on you WYPR!

As longtime listeners and members of Public Radio here and in a number of other cities around the country, my wife and I were shocked to hear what we heard on the Sheila Kast Show this morning, in relation to the firing of Marc Steiner. Even more than the event itself, we were absolutely appalled by the comments of Tony Brandon, the Station Manager. His emphasis on ratings, the advice of his Board of Directors, the ongoing obligation of the station to the 8 benefactors who financed the purchase of the station, and working for the 40 people who work hard for the station just completely misses the point of Public Radio.

Three years ago, my wife and I moved to Baltimore from Norfolk, VA. In that community, there is an example of a wonderful and truly PUBLIC Radio Station, WHRO-FM, which because of ongoing PUBLIC support, has been so successful, that it has been able to add a second station, WHRV-FM. One station carries news, public affairs, jazz, and alternative music, while the other station carries Classical Music - all in a metropolitan area that is not as large as Baltimore. How have they done this? By constantly involving the community - in VOLUNTEERISM, sponsoring of PUBLIC events, soliciting opinions from members through the yearly mailing of detailed questionnaires, asking the members to rate and comment on each of the shows - what they like and dislike and suggesting improvements, and having fundraisers that involve community volunteers pitching in answering phones and community leaders getting on air to help with the fundraiser. Thus, it is not just the staff of the station that has "ownership" of the station, but it is truly a PUBLIC venture with a spirit of shared COMMUNITY responsibility. Also, during fundraisers, listeners are encouraged, when they call in, to tell what shows they value, as well as to make pledges during the shows that they value most. In all these ways, RATINGS become only one small part of how the station looks at its overall operation.

I'd suggest that WYPR’s leadership and others in the Baltimore community look at the in-depth information and transparency on the websites and the broadcasts of other public radio stations (the WHRO web site is http://whro.org). The station leadership should travel to visit stations in other communities such as Norfolk, including during fundraisers, to see what Public Radio Stations can and should be.

Clearly, based on what we heard this morning, the leadership of WYPR has much to learn about what PUBLIC Radio really is. What has happened with Mark Steiner’s firing and what we heard of Tony Brandon’s imperial attitude is a sad episode, but it can be an opportunity for this station to become OUR station, if the station management and the Board are brave enough to re-examine what they’re doing. As Marc Steiner was saying, look to the public for the answers - not just to the ratings or the corporate top-down “managers.” Just as the only real solutions for the problems of a democracy must come from the citizens, the only real solutions for a Public Radio station must come from the Public.

Glad to see him go. When Marc's knee- jerk Liberalism skewed his objectivity I stopped contributing to YPR. His unbalanced, self-serving, myopic attitudes sent me away. I'm looking forward to his replacement.

As a veteran of over 21 years in the broadcasting profession, 18 of those in radio, allow me to comment from a perspective of someone who's seen them come and go. I don't know Mr. Steiner personally, and I can honestly say I've never listened to his program. People are fired everyday from my profession. Some because of a lack of ratings, some because they make too much money, and some...and I know this may come as a shock...because the Program Director of the station simply doesn't care for the talent. For whatever reason, I'm sure Mr. Steiner was, as I am, an "at will" employee. My boss can fire me tomorrow morning, it's his/her choice. The difference between Mr. Steiner and myself is, he has a contract, he'll be paid, he'll be made whole. If Mr. Steiner has such a loyal, vocal, and LARGE listenership, he'll land another gig. If not, I'm sure he'll pursue another avenue of employment, and be just as successful.

Earlier today, a link to Marc's blog existed on the Maryland Morning website. Sheilah even referenced it in the interview. That link has now disappeared.

SHAME ON YOU WYPR. THIS IS BLATANT CENSORSHIP OF YOUR OWN PRODUCTION STAFF.

DISGUSTING.

Why am I paying for a radio station anyway. With the shape Maryland is in the whole thing should be shut down.

Plus if this guy has anything anyone one wants to hear he will get a job at another station. Otherwise, it's "do you want fries with that?"

As president of American General Media, Tony Brandon owns and successfully runs more than 50 commercial radio stations. Brandon's lack of experience in public radio has manifested itself in the firing of Steiner. Public radio stations are run differently. In commercial radio, the advertiser and ratings rule. In public radio, its the membership who are served. If public radio was all about ratings, there would be no jazz on weaa, or alternative on wtmd or classical on wbjc. Ratings was only a poor excuse to rid wypr of Steiner, who must have bruised Brandon's ego. Based on the outcry from members, Brandon has ignored what members want so he can further his agenda of more, bigger, richer.

Marc Steiner was not the best host. He talked too much, especially about what he was going to do on the rest of the show, rather than simply facilitating the converstion with his guests and listeners. I wish him luck in his future endeavors and think he is better suited to producing a show.

I do not think Mr. Steiner was biased. Just because liberal or even leftist views are voiced does not constitute bias provided those to the right are also represented. Conservative media ignores or belittles liberal, even moderate, views and is therefore much more biased.

I am extremely disappointed that there was no local replacement show ready to air and feel that WYPR management handled this terribly. I would be happy to have a similar replacement show with a better host and a scope less centered on Baltimore but not a national show as they broadcast today. A new show should focus on local, state and national issues but be capably produced in Baltimore.

Other than the Steiner show, WYPR does a terrible job producing local content especially Maryland Morning. Their coverage is repetitive, often inane and glitch-filled. The General Manager is more deserving of being fired than Mr. Steiner.

I am a fan of local public radio and hope that WYPR improves and becomes deserving of more public support.

Whenever I'm back home in Maryland, I listen to Mark Steiner. I always appreciated his insight, intelligence, and willingness to tackle tough issues. Shame on YPR!

Now I have _really_ mixed feelings: the apparent replacement for Steiner is one of the shows I missed when I left Philadelphia last year: "Here and Now". I liked hearing the familiar voices and features again.

But "H&N" is an NPR _national_ program, not one focused on the 'whole state of Maryland'. I'd thought the argument for switching out Steiner was that he was "too focused on Baltimore"...?

They actually take ratings on public radio?

Doesn't that sound a bit ironic? Ratings are a measurement for advertising, right?

Marc was the best thing on that station, what a bonehead move by the management. I'm done giving them my money!

Too bad. So little is functioning on the human level anymore; everything becoming so corporate, cold, distant and impersonal. Marc Steiner was a human voice that lent a personality to the station. With his departure, YPR is losing that personality that distinguishes it from any other public radio station.

I suppose that's OK if you want a McDonalds kind of uniformity across all public radio stations. For me, it's just a disappointment and evidence of poor judgment on management's part.

Too, too bad.

Jake

I understand 100% of his listeners were staging a protest outside the studio today. I think there were 6 or 7.
His will have more listeners if instead of broadcasting on WYPR, he just opens a window and yells.

Unfathomable.

Someone beat me to the use of the word "bonehead(ed)". I am stunned. Marc is Baltimore, is Your Public Radio. (Can you imagine Tony Brandon coming up with those call letters?!?!?)

I have been so pleased with WYPR's birth and growth, and now ... this?!?

I wish more than anything that we could back up three weeks and start over again. Unfortunately I cannot believe that the station management and the Board (they cannot be called leadership) could be brave enough to admit having made a mistake. Shame on JHU for creating a crisis by abandoning the station with so little notice, then putting an unreasonable price tag on the station and causing money-grubbing management types to gain total control.

Mr Brandon, you can keep the 88.1 frequency and the current facilities, but you need to give the WYPR call sign to Marc when he asks for it. He's public radio's heart and soul, and you needed to tolerate him even if he got under your management-type skin. Yes, your ratings are going to fall now.

I encourage all who feel that WYPR has run off the tracks to log on to their website and contribute 2 cents by credit card. In the comment field you can give them your two cents!

I was happy to hear that Marc was not on the air any longer. I used to listen to his show at noon and the inside MD politics segment. Didn't have any trouble with the topics. My problem was that Marc came across with a liberal bias. Being a liberal and trying to get my friends to listen to NPR because it's probably the closest you can get to a balanced news station was difficult because they'd listen to one of Marc's segments and say that the whole station was biased. If you listened to him very frequently, you might get that he tried to be balanced but occasional listeners didn't get that far.

Whoever hired Nathan Sterner should be fired. He is one of the worst additions ever. He can't even make it through a sentence without a mistake.

Marc was the best. I have the station on everyday and found myself pay closer attention when Marc came on the air. I thought he was the reason for your success. He will move on and do well. Unfortunately I am not sure the station will be able to do the same. Good luck WYPR because I am not sure if you will be as lucky.

If not for the Mark Steiner show, I would have found it very difficult to live in Baltimore. I moved here from Massachusetts in 2001 and could not believe how conservative Maryland is for a "democratic" state. I so much appreciated Mark giving voice to people in the community who are often invisible to the media and government. Sometimes it was difficult to hear their issues because it forced the listener to face difficult social problems that called the listener to action. I plan to register a protest donation to WYPR during their fund drives by donating only $1.00. I urge others to do the same.

I was very proud to become a member of the station this fall and now will seriously reconsider pledging my money again. I always looked forward to seeing what topic Marc was addressing when I had a chance to listen. Bad move YPR.

Those of you who don't think Steiner's presence at YPR was vital and important to this community,and to the greater world at large,are all Baltimorons,along w/ the station manager who just didn't get it.
The last season of "The Wire"got it totally write-white men making stuff up just to make a buck;nevermind the truth or integrity.
During last weeks show the new host and his guest were all a-gagle with bad adjectives describing Hillary.When I called in disagreeing,saying let's make this discussion about character and not about petty comments which detract from the issues.
I was promptly hung up on.