Baden Hall

He calls himself Big Daddy but Big Arsehole is far more appropriate for KnysnaFM’s disgusting Baden Hall.

He’s threatened me and a tourist (shockingly so – tell you about that in Part 3) in a manner that damages the image of the radio station and Knysna.

Not wanting to tar Knysna FM with the same brush, I contacted Ralph Sparg, the station manager – he did absolutely nothing. I emailed station owner, Gordon Hoffman – he did not respond. Several times, I contacted Sue van der Gaast, manager of their sister station in Plettenberg Bay, mc90.3fm, and she said that Gordon would get hold of me – he didn’t…and she never followed up with me.

I restrained myself from blogging about this the past 10 weeks because I want to believe in KnysnaFM and its contribution to Knysna. I especially didn’t want to mar the efforts of the many DJs, some I know, who’ve worked for for the station for little or nothing at all. But something is only as good as its roots and the people that run it so I’m now doubting its value. Today, I start presenting this reflection by telling you what happened with Baden Hall…

The build-up was during the recent Knysna Tourism debacle when worms oozed out of the woodwork in support of then-CEO, Shaun van Eck, who had been suspended. Some were poorly disguised political supporters whilst others were simply, yet loudly, emotionally blind. Baden Hall seems to fall into the latter category.

At the press conference preceding the emergency Knysna members’ meeting that was held at the Premier Hotel, Baden Hall was there representing Knysna FM. After I complained to Ralph Sparg about what happened (Ralph said that a meeting with Knysna Tourism was to be held because of it), I received an obnoxious email from Baden in which he tried to cover-up, saying that he was representing himself (“Too late,” cried the cuckoo as it flew from the liar’s nest). It was a press conference. Knysna FM received a press invite. Only Baden from Knysna FM turned up. Baden Hall

is not only a DJ but on the production team of Knysna FM.

Baden Hall’s actions at this meeting were absolutely bizarre. If anything, I was expecting to be the controversial one but i was 100% “upstaged” by Baden’s illogical rantings that earned snickers and irritation from other media. Baden never presented any questions that could be called journalism. Instead, he attacked the Tourism Board, calling them petrolheads and saying that they were representing their own, secret agenda. He never substantiated his accusations but, instead, became more conflictory. What he did ‘substantiate’ was why Shaun van Eck was a good CEO. Totally ignoring the charges against van Eck, Baden used the example that geniuses are mavericks who don’t have to follow the rules – an example was comparing van Eck to Chris Barnard, the first heart transplant surgeon. I don’t see the link between Barnard who improved the field of surgery and van Eck who basically bankrupted Knysna Tourism. I haven’t read the same fairy book as Baden.

Ralph Sparg, the Knysna FM station manager who doesn’t care.

I phoned Knysna FM, seeking Baden Hall so as to clarify his statements before mentioning it on my blog. He wasn’t in so I spoke to Ralph Sparg, the station manager, who was very unhelpful and ‘asked’ me not to mention Baden at all. I said that it was relevant but that I’d keep it brief until Baden responded – I kept my word and only blogged:

“Baden Hall, from Knysna FM, was fervent in his support of Shaun van Eck and accused the Board of hidden agendas which he wouldn’t clarify. He added that geniuses break the rules and creative types don’t necessarily need to follow them. He was of the opinion that van Eck did a good job marketing our town (please note that I hold back from full commentary as his view does not necessarily represent Knysna FM who will be having a meeting with Knysna Tourism so as to seek understanding).”

Despite me keeping it to a minimum, Ralph later blamed me for the situation with, “After asking you not to mention Baden in your blog you merrily went ahead and did the opposite.” More importantly, Ralph, did not address Baden’s actions.

I emailed Baden the following: “Hi, Baden. We never met properly at Premier yesterday. I phoned the station today as I wanted to clarify your complaints of hidden agendas. You weren’t in so I kept the mention of you to a minimum – www.knysnakeep.org/why-shaun-van-eck-was-dismissed-part-1.”

Whilst I was offline, I was obviously unaware that Baden Hall had made a comment which was waiting for my approval (all first commentators are held for moderation so as to prevent spam). When connected again, I downloaded my emails which included the first threat from Baden:

“I notice that my submission from earlier today has not yet been moderated, nor published. Is this a case of “Don’t do as I do, but just what I say”? Remember the immortal words of Eisenhower ‘I keep my friends close to me….and my enemies even closer’. Possibly you need to take heed of this pearl of wisdom, because, trust me, your forum is not the only forum upon which I can express myself. There are many other forums that are far more visible, and more widely read, than your blog. It would be infinitely better to publish my (unedited) response on your blog, for if you find it is necessary to preclude my response,

I WILL MAKE IT MY BUSINESS to bring upon you the same wrath that you brought upon Shaun van Eck, using all the channels at my disposal, including my own e-mailing database of 1,8 million world-wide hospitality guests that I have acquired over the past 22 years as IT/Software Marketing Consultant to SAA, Sun International, Southern Suns, Conservation Corporation of Africa, to name some of my bigger profile clients. You have been apprised. Now lets see if you have the balls to deal with this one. I’m certainly not holding my breath, that’s for sure.”

I looked down and was ‘surprised’ to discover that my “balls” were still attached – I approved his long comment that was still devoid of fact but certainly carried on providing insight into his character.

The threat within was literally: “Never argue with the man behind the microphone.”

His overreaction confirmed his loony tunes status and clearly demonstrated his big ego. More importantly, in threatening me he had abused his position on the airwaves (illegal) and mentioned companies who would undoubtedly not support his abuse of their name, privacy agreements or databases acquired through association with them. I have to take his 1.8million database claim with a pinch of salt as he would surely, as the good person he implies he is, have used it by now to better KnysnaFM or the state of tourism in our town. Nevertheless, the threats were made with ill-intent and I’ve learned to take threats seriously.

I asked Baden to be constructive and provide a copy of the recording he made of the press conference (which would clarify what happened). Instead of saying yes and resolving some of the right and wrong of this mess, subjective Baden carried on his attack, ironically stating that I was not being objective and falsely accused me of editing his comment (blatantly untrue and I challenge him to provide the ‘proof’ he mentions below):

“…there is only one liar, and any critical thinking person will immediately know to whom I am referring…my response has been substantially edited by you, thus reflecting an incomplete and skewed submission. Unfortunately (for you), suspecting that this would be case, a copy was made prior to submission. Text comparisons will be made on an opposition blog site… As the for the other words for the other words used (that were edited out of the response), it certainly demonstrates a complete lack of quality education on your behalf, whilst the genealogical connectivity would best left from prying minds….”

Part of my response included, “I don’t cower to bullies…and a bully you are. I fight bullies.” He then became only the second person to be banned from the blog.

But the Baden story was not yet over as a reader contacted me to tell me that she had Googled Baden Hall to discover that he was a Mannatech salesman. Read Part 2: Baden Hall & Mannatech here. Part 3, on Wednesday (Feb 13), will be Baden Hall Threatens a Tourist.