Radio host Kid Carson leaving Z95.3 after spreading conspiracy theories on air
Vancouver radio station Z95.3 and Kid Carson have made a "mutual decision to part ways," hours after the morning show DJ spouted conspiracy theories during an on-air rant about the Freedom Convoy protest.
The Kid Carson Show host addressed the ongoing demonstration in Ottawa Wednesday morning, telling listeners who believe reports of racism within the movement they have been "fooled."
"This isn't about race or health or Nazi flags or masks, it's about trying to keep our children off a digital ID that will control every aspect of their lives," he said.
Carson also accused the news media of lying about the protest, and suggested they were doing so on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He did not respond to an interview request from CTV News.
On Wednesday afternoon, Stingray, which owns Z95.3, confirmed Carson will no longer be hosting the station's morning show because of his conduct.
"We respect that he has a right to his opinions, but he does not have a right to broadcast misleading or inaccurate opinions and label them as facts," Devon Tschritter, general manager of Stingray Vancouver, said in a social media statement.
Those comments were echoed by Steve Jones, Stingray's vice-president of brands and content.
"The lifestyle music-driven format of a station like Z95.3 isn't the ideal forum for divisive political discourse," Jones told CTV News in an email.
Jones said the company does support on-air hosts expressing opinions that are "fact-based," however.
Carson's rant prompted a wave of social media responses, many of which were critical of the host using his platform to spread misinformation during the pandemic.
"I'll be waiting to hear from Larry and Willy before making any medical decisions," one Reddit user joked, referencing another local radio show that has been off the air for years.
A number of commenters also said they would be contacting the station to express their concerns about his behaviour.
Carson did not provide evidence for any of his claims, but said he had done his "own research," a common refrain among people who are opposed to vaccines and vaccine mandates.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Pastrnak scores winner, Bruins down Leafs 2-1 in overtime in Game 7
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
A driver dies after crashing into a security barrier around the White House complex, authorities say
A driver died after a vehicle crashed into an outer perimeter gate of the White House complex, and the incident late Saturday was being investigated as a traffic crash, police said. U.S. President Joe Biden was spending the weekend in Delaware, and the Secret Service said there was no threat to the White House.
Warren Buffett says AI may be better for scammers than society. And he's seen how
Warren Buffett cautioned the tens of thousands of shareholders who packed an arena for his annual meeting that artificial intelligence scams could become "the growth industry of all time."