Pittsburgh Radio: KDKA-AM Pulls Wendy Bell Off The Air

Wendy Bell

Entercom Pittsburgh announced Friday that talk show host Wendy Bell has been taken off the air at News-Talk KDKA 1020 AM in a statement released by Entercom Pittsburgh Senior Vice President Michael Spacciapolli.

"Entercom is the home to thousands of voices representing Americans of all races, ethnicities, gender identity, sexual orientation, beliefs and ability.  

We take very seriously our responsibility to provide a platform for our communities to engage in diverse and meaningful dialogue, debate and the right to freedom of speech, we do not condone the incitement of violence on any of our platforms.  

Members of our community have recently brought to our attention comments made by Wendy Bell that do not align with Entercom’s values. Wendy has been taken off air until further notice. 

Entercom Pittsburgh remains steadfast in our commitment to inclusive conversations that engage everyone in Pittsburgh while excluding any form of violence."

In a video recorded on June 26 during her live radio show, Bell looks into the camera and says: “My easy solution for the park rangers and hopefully snipers who are going to be watching for this is to shoot on sight.” Bell then mimics the sound of a gunshot. “Shoot! Done! No more messing with monuments. You want to mess with a monument? Done! Get out!”

Though the video was recorded over two months ago, a clip from it went viral this week, reports triblive.com.


In another video shot at night, Bell is seen standing on a dark street as she addresses Black Lives Matter protesters.

“Hey — news flash, protesters. Get out! Go somewhere else, OK? Because you’ve worn out your welcome,” Bell said. “And by the way, the silent majority is pissed and they are armed and they are ready. So, don’t muck with us.”

There has been negative reaction to Bell’s comments on social media and at least one advertiser has pulled its commercials from her show. Breadworks Bakery posted on Facebook Thursday that it was “shocked and saddened” by her comments.

“Breadworks does not condone violence. This is why we will not be advertising on her show any longer.”

Also KDKA-TV has been inundated with complaints about Bell, even though the television station and radio station are owned by separate companies.

Earlier this week KDKA-TV was compelled to issue a statement on its social media platforms.

“KDKA TV would like to remind our viewers and readers that Wendy Bell does not work for KDKA-TV, a ViacomCBS owned station,” the television station said. “Bell works for KDKA Radio, which is owned by Entercom Communications radio group. Please direct all comments and inquiries to KDKA Radio, 412-353-1300.”

Bell, an award-winning broadcaster for 18 years at WTAE-TV, was fired by the station in March 2016 for a post on her official Facebook page made after a mass shooting in Wilkinsburg. Before police had made any arrests in the case, Bell wrote, “You needn’t be a criminal profiler to draw a mental sketch of the killers who broke so many hearts two weeks ago Wednesday. … They are young black men, likely in their teens or early 20s. They have multiple siblings from multiple fathers and their mothers work multiple jobs.”

Bell’s show is not currently listed on KDKA’s website and the station is not saying when or if she will return to the airwaves.

Since April, KDKA Radio 1020 AM has dropped three spots in the Pittsburgh-area ratings and was the 5th most listened to station in the region in August, just narrowly beating out WESA 90.5 FM.