Jim Defede Fired From WINZ AM940 Radio

UPDATE: 01-03-08

Talk show host Jim DeFede returns to radio on Monday, this time on WFTL, 850AM.DeFede will be heard from 4 to 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday, the station said in a prepared release.Prior to WFTL, DeFede hosted a morning show on WINZ, AM940. He was named "Best AM Radio Personality" for 2007 by New Times Broward-Palm Beach.DeFede was an award-winning writer for the Miami New Times for 11 years, a metro columnist for the Miami Herald for three years and currently writes for Miami Monthly Magazine. He is also a commentator and investigative reporter for CBS4 News in Miami."I'm thrilled to be back with my own show and to be working for WFTL," DeFede said in a prepared release on Thursday.








UPDATE: 09-12-07As Reported in the Miami Herald
Jim DeFede, whose talk show on WINZ-AM (940) ended on Aug. 31, is moving to another South Florida radio station. He won't say where, but reportedly he'll join WFTL-AM (850) in early December. (DeFede's noncompete agreement with WINZ owner Clear Channel requires him to sit out for 90 days.)DeFede, a WFOR-CBS4 commentator and former Miami Herald columnist, says his one-year deal with WINZ expired on July 24. ``My show was not canceled.''The station asked for an extension through Aug. 31, he says. He agreed. As that deadline neared, WINZ offered another two months. DeFede wanted long-term. ``They told me that if I didn't like it, I could go out and try to find myself another station to work for.''He did -- with the help of agent Andrew Korge. DeFede cut a two-year deal.WFTL is owned by James Crystal Radio Group. Former TV anchor and reporter Kelley Mitchell is a morning co-host. The station also airs conservative syndicated hosts Dr. LauraSchlessinger, Bill O'Reilly and Michael Savage And Demo Babe Stacy Ritter.Says DeFede: ``My views aren't going to change based on the station I'm on.''WINZ is licensed to Miami, WFTL to West Palm Beach, says University of Miami broadcasting professor Dr. Mitchell Shapiro. ''A different reach,'' says Shapiro, who adds that both stations can be heard in parts of the tri-county area.DeFede will likely have a morning or afternoon gig.DeFede, 45, who underwent emergency surgery in June to remove fluid from around his heart, is feeling fine. ''Since April, the last time I weighed myself, I've lost 63 pounds.'' He orders portion-controlled meals from chef Mario Bladimirsquy's Diet At Your Doorstep in Coconut Creek, which advertised on DeFede's show. And, he exercises. ``I'm walking every night, about a mile and a quarter.''DeFede's plan for the ''down time'' before his return to radio? ``I'm going to get a trainer.'' DeFede will likely have a morning or afternoon gig.DeFede, 45, who underwent emergency surgery in June to remove fluid from around his heart, is feeling fine. ''Since April, the last time I weighed myself, I've lost 63 pounds.'' He orders portion-controlled meals from chef Mario Bladimirsquy's Diet At Your Doorstep in Coconut Creek, which advertised on DeFede's show. And, he exercises. ``I'm walking every night, about a mile and a quarter.''
DeFede's plan for the ''down time'' before his return to radio? ``I'm going to get a trainer.''


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UPDATE 09-11-07 :
Rumor has it.....

Jim DeFede To move to Live85.com ... WFTL-850

Home of Rush Limbaugh's Demo Babe Stacy Ritter

Maybe he will knock off Mitchell and Morley in Drive Time........
What A Snooze.....

Unceremoniously fired by the head honchos at WINZ. In addition, his name and web log have been removed from the station's web site and his picture is now posted at the station's guard post ")

We wrote to Nicole Sandler, co-host and producer of De Fede's show, hoping to find out what is going on. Here is her reply:

I don't know much, except that Jim had been in contract negotiations with Clear Channel that look to have broken down... It's not looking good. You can write to the program director (kencharles@clearchannel.com) or the general manager (georgetoulas@clearchannel.com).

Sandler is continuing to host De Fede's morning slot of 6-9 am until the station makes a decision whether to hire a new local host or pick up another syndicated lib talker.

Being "unceremoniously" terminated is nothing new for Jim De Fede. Two years ago, when De Fede was writing a column for the Miami Herald, he was fired by his editors -- Jesus Diaz and Tom Fiedler – for tape-recording an interview with a public official without notifying the official.

Arthur Teele, Jr., a former Miami-Dade County Commissioner, called De Fede to discuss a story published in a local newspaper that contained several embarrassing and incriminating allegations. The next day Teele blew his brains out in the lobby of the Herald.

When De Fede told his editors that he spoke with Teele the night before and tape-recorded the discussion, they conferred for ten minutes and then fired him.

Many observers including over 200 South Florida journalists thought there were other issues involved in De Fede's termination. For example, he had involved in union organizing activities and the paper was in the process of downsizing.

In any case, De Fede bounced back. In addition to his daily show on WINZ, he has also been doing commentary for WFOR-TV in Miami and writing a column for LRM Magazine, a popular South Florida publication.

De Fede doesn't seemed to be very concerned about his termination at WINZ. He told the New Times that "he had a great time at WINZ" and that he is looking forward to "being on the air again at another station very soon."

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