On Friday, hiphopmusic.com's Jay Smooth offered up details on a "skit" that New York City rap station Hot 97 had been running for about a week, one that specifically made a mockery of the December 26, 2004 tsunami and the plight of those involved - most specifically, Asians. Included are a bunch of quality links, including one with the audio in question - which the Emmis Communications-owned station has since removed from its website and replaced with this apology. In that posting, the station's program director John Dimick points out that the cast of the morning show involved in the skit will "contribute one week's pay to Tsunami Relief efforts."

So here's the question - is that enough? The New York Post's John Mainelli reports that Asian Media Watch is calling for the removal of the show from the airwaves.

There is obviously still a place in America for parody and amusement, but there are also certain situations wherein some common sense needs to come into play - this seems to be one of them. Sometimes I'm amazed (should I say frightened?) that incidents like this one continue to happen. This isn't about "pushing the envelope," which I'm pretty much all for. I'm a card-carrying member of the Jeff Jarvis "change the channel" club, and don't want any further restrictions and regulations put on various media outlets. At the same time, I think they have to think before they do something.

What's even more surprising is the fact that Hot 97 appears to be a little surprised here, based on their reaction this weekend. Then again, as at least one commenter on the hiphopmusic.com site have pointed out, there is the chance that this was "let go" as part of a ratings or "buzz" ploy by the station due to the return this week of Star and Buc Wild to competitor Power 105.1 [previously discussed here]

Gauging reaction from actual listeners isn't tough these days, as is apparent in this case. The public in general is much more involved in day to day operations of the media that they listen, watch, and read on a regular basis, and tools such as weblogs and forums allow easy mobilization for or against certain things. Considering the volume of comments on the original post Jay Smooth put up, and this update on Saturday afternoon, one would hope that the individuals involved in the skit would have mobilized a little better. Oh, sorry - it's a weekend...guess we couldn't have that. Instead, you can wait to see what kind of ratings you get on Monday morning when you "apologize" in person.

[update] Tim Karr asks if my call for the people to "police" the media "is enough" to make the whole system work to our liking - and with good reason. So I would ask if you have comments on this subject to definitely bring them into the conversation.