WPRB fires host, Surgeon General, for racially charged language

Sen declined to provide the Surgeon General’s real name, citing WPRB policy not to release personal information about its DJs.

In her email to the WPRB staff, Sen explained that the Surgeon General no longer has a regularly scheduled show on the station and noted that many staff and listeners found his consistent use of racially charged language insensitive.

The Surgeon General did not respond to requests for comment, but he posted on Twitter on May 6, “Wprb 103.3 FIRED The Surgeon General of SLOT TIME radio last week due to music selection and my refusal to conform to their station agenda.”

According to his Twitter, he is in the process of negotiating a weekly slot on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Sen did not specify the exact language that the Surgeon General used that led to his dismissal.

“After chronic on-air obscenity problems during his program, including the use of racially charged language that is insensitive to our staff and listeners, our decision [to cancel his show] comes without reservations,” Sen said in the email to WPRB staff.

When asked about the comments he made on the show, Sen said in an email to The Daily Princetonian that though the station does not comment on specific decisions regarding the DJs, the board regularly conducts reviews to make sure that all shows comply with the Federal Communications Commission’s standards.

Sen also noted that the station is now especially dependent on the donations and interest of its listeners.

“WPRB is a listener-supported station that places the highest importance on artistic freedom and the airing of programming not usually available on commercial radio,” Sen told the ‘Prince.’ “Our station strives to maintain a diverse programming schedule and constantly seeks new and interesting shows.”

WPRB is a nonprofit radio station run by students of the University that offers a wide selection of content, including music ranging from classical to alternative. According to the WPRB website, its broadcasts cover about 15,000 square miles and reach from New York City into parts of Delaware.

Although mainly a student-run station, many community members host shows on the station as well. The Surgeon General was a community member whose show “Slot Time” aired on Fridays from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. He was a host for four years.

The Surgeon General’s profile page on the website reverbnation.com says that he “specializes in spinning Hardcore HipHop, staying true to the culture, the art, and aims to entertain as well as educate the masses on HipHop music in the streets and the industry.”