A station official for WBHM in Birmingham wrote a letter to “friends and listeners” warning that the public radio station is being coerced into using “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico,” and that it threatens the station’s independence.
The mandated change in language that WBHM will be expected to follow under state law takes effect on Oct. 1, after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law requiring that “all state and local entities and their employees” use the term Gulf of America instead of Gulf of Mexico.
“Journalistic independence is foundational to a news organization,” wrote Will Dahlberg, executive director and general manager of WBHM. “It’s a key part of how we maintain your trust. This law threatens that independence. It also puts us at odds with our partners at NPR, the Associated Press, and others who will continue to use ‘Gulf of Mexico.’”…