Iowa: WHO-AM Radio Says Host's Remarks Had "Factual Errors"

Clear Channel Communications broadcast on Aug. 26 a statement acknowledging that a commentator on its news radio station WHO-AM in Des Moines had made erroneous remarks about AIDS and homosexuality.

During a recent show broadcast from the Iowa State Fair, Jan Mickelson said some AIDS education efforts destigmatize the "stupid behavior" of homosexuals. Mickelson took issue with awareness messages from community leaders and others that HIV does not discriminate. Comparing HIV with lung disease, cirrhosis, and heart disease, he said that these diseases also do not discriminate but are linked with smoking, overeating, and problem drinking.

While he is entitled to his opinion, Mickelson's comments "confused strong opinion with medical fact and contained factual errors regarding HIV/AIDS, its spread, and current efforts to inform the public about the disease," Clear Channel said.

"Jan Mickelson's comments on HIV/AIDS are reprehensible," said Carolyn Jenison, executive director of One Iowa. The state's largest gay civil rights group, One Iowa, worked with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to get Clear Channel to clarify the remarks.

"Stigma and discrimination surrounding the discussion of this epidemic are barriers to prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS," Jenison said. "Clear Channel did the appropriate thing in responding to and correcting this misinformation."

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