ITO YUNG REPLY NI ART BELL SA ISSUE NA TO> ACTUALLY MATAGAL NA TO. 2001 PA TONG ISSUE NA TO> .
Here is Premiere Radio Network's Official Press Release on this matter, which just states the same information we already have laid out here on this page. The webmaster here cautions however, that the UCSD connection (mentioned in the corporate release) is pretty much a dead end and they should not be bothered.
What we need to do is track down the HOT TRAIL of the most recent posting to the net, that resulted in the PDI story. This posting, made within the last month, had our newest email address (feedback@artbell.com) listed in the post. Which means it was initiated by someone who visits our site regularly. We believe this post was initally made to the "pinoytok@yahoogroups.com" email list. We are not able to search the archives of this list, since they are membership based only and have not added new members to their group for some time.
We need to get on that list and search their archives for the initial post. Then we can back-track the source. If anyone has any information regarding a recent "initial" post to any newsgroup, mailing list or Internet BBS, that is not a reply to some forwarded post, please let us know. We would like to track down anyone who creates a "first-time" post of this material.
Update: 7/2/2001
The Philippine Daily Inquirer posts a Retraction. But the damage is done. Multiple death threats have already been received by Art Bell. We know where to put the blame.
Open Letter to My Listeners
July 1, 2001
Another event in the seemingly never ending strange series of events in my life occurred, which will prevent me from being on the air this week. A horrible Racist article which has been on the Internet for almost three years, despite all our best efforts, has just been published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (The largest circulation Newspaper in that country). This has resulted in hundreds of e-mails and death threats to me and my family. Even the slightest effort on their part, would have resulted in the truth before rushing to publish. The article appeared in the Entertainment section of the Sunday edition (July 1, 2001).
As many of you I hope are aware, I DID NOT WRITE this trash and never would, in fact my wife is half Filipino. It was originally sent from a computer located at U.C.S.D. in southern California. They have sent a apology which has been posted on this website (see below) for almost three years. Over that period of time EVERY inquiry has been answered by myself, my Webmaster and the Network.
We are presently taking all legal steps possible, however in the meantime there is a very real physical danger to my family and myself. This will require my full time attention for the moment. The Newspaper (as of this writing) still, has NOT published a Retraction, even though they have been served with a Demand Letter to do so.
The newspaper's e-mail addresses are feedback@inq7.net, jvaruta@inquirer.com.ph, readersadvocate@inquirer.com.ph, should you care to help, by urging them to promptly retract this dangerous, reckless, thoughtless article. See you soon.
Art & Ramona Bell