Clear Channel Dumps Howard Stern; What About Infinity?

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 2/26/04 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - It took only a week for shock jock Howard Stern to break Infinity Radio's new "zero tolerance" policy for indecent broadcasting, conservative critics said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Stern spent "nearly one hour of his show discussing explicit sexual activities between Rick Solomon and Paris Hilton," the American Family Association alleged.

In a statement, AFA said it would ask its members to begin filing official indecency complaints against Infinity-owned stations if Viacom President Mel Karmazin doesn't immediately fire Howard Stern.

Stern's show is syndicated by Infinity Broadcasting, which is owned by Viacom. Viacom also owns CBS and MTV.

Clear Channel Radio, meantime, announced it has suspended broadcasts of the Howard Stern show, "consistent with its Responsible Broadcasting Initiative."

Clear Channel said it acted after "assessing the content" of Stern's Feb. 24 show.

"Clear Channel drew a line in the sand today with regard to protecting our listeners from indecent content and Howard Stern's show blew right through it," said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio in the press release issued Wednesday.

"It was vulgar, offensive, and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency. We will not air Howard Stern on Clear Channel stations until we are assured that his show will conform to acceptable standards of responsible broadcasting," Hogan said.

(One day before pulling Stern's show, Clear Channel fired a "Bubba the Love Sponge," a Florida radio personality, whom federal regulators accused of airing sexually explicit material on several Florida stations.)

Viacom's Karmazin issued an order last week, saying, "Any station airing programming that has any sexual or excretory content needs to take whatever steps are necessary to make sure that the programming in not even arguably indecent."

Karmazin said anyone refusing to comply with the directive would be "fired for cause."

The American Family Association has now joined other conservatives in demanding that Karmazin follow through on his pledge by firing Howard Stern.

"If Karmazin is serious about cleaning up his compoany, firing Howard Stern is the only option, said AFA Chairman Don Wildmon. "Howard Stern cannot be controlled by Karmazin or anyone else," he added.

Two weeks ago, members of a House Commerce subcommittee blasted Karmazin for Janet Jackson's breast-baring moment at the MTV-produced Super Bowl halftime show -- which aired on CBS.

It was after his Capitol Hill grilling that Karmazin warned his Infinity radio executives to clean up their act -- or else.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.

[Dane]

Clear Channel pulled Howard off of 6 of its radio stations. Looking at the other thread you would think that was akin to book burning to some Howard fans.

Never liked Howard Stern, listened to his show and watched his cable show a couple of times and always thought that his picture should be the definiton of the term arrested development.

[wireman]

Who is the American Family Association?

Donald Wildmon. The most sanctimonious a-hole on two feet. The morality Nazis are on the move in our country, and if you don't think exactly like them, look out.

[Ff--150]

In a statement, AFA said it would ask its members to begin filing official indecency complaints against Infinity-owned stations if Viacom President Mel Karmazin doesn't immediately fire Howard Stern.

Though marginally so, this is as significant as a realistic portrayal of Jesus, for perhaps Someone is finally stirring up the Pot...?

[ovrtaxt]

Nevertheless, it's a privately owned company, and they can make a market decision if they want. The FCC didn't mandate this, the corporation did. I have no problem with it.

[anniegetyourgun]

Not to worry...immorality is winning....and hatred for those "evil Christians" is rising.

[Howie66]

Oh boy!

"Nazi"


This has got to be one of the most overused words in the liberal/socialist lexicon. I sure would love to see them come up with something new. Then that would require some thought and imagination, so I quess that won't happen any time soon.

[ElTianti]

Does every second of media have to be consumable by the youngest children? Can any of the broadcast media be for adults?

[Huck]

I used to listen to howard but gave it up several years ago. You know when you think someone used to be really good, but they aren't anymore, and then you figure out it isn't that they have changed, but rather that you have? That's what happened to me. Out of habit, I will still once in a blue moon tune in to see if something funny is happening, but there usually isn't. I guess I am an old fart now. Depending on the guest, I'll listen to Imus, which once upon a time was sacrilege. The only radio show I regularly tune in to is Bob Grant. Now THAT's entertaining talk.

[Wolfie]

Its a private corp, they can do what they want. I've already e-mailed the local station that carried him that I won't be listening anymore until he's back.

[StoneColdTaxHater]

I tend to agree with you, I think we have gone WAAAAAy overboard ever since the Super Bowl. While I beleive nudity and graphic languae should not be on TV I think we need to grow up just a little before the decency police are snooping in our homes next. We have people out of work, we are at war and we are all in a lather over Janet's boob. Spare me!

[anniegetyourgun]

Wow...seems everybody is screaming for the tawdry, salacious, and vulgar Stern! That just seems fittin' these days.....

[sakic]

Donald Wildmon. The most sanctimonious a-hole on two feet. The morality Nazis are on the move in our country, and if you don't think exactly like them, look out.

Pay attention. It's our government that is doing this. Criticize politicians in power and lose your license to broadcast.

Imagine the outcry here if we now had a Democratic president and Rush Limbaugh was being pulled off of radio stations by the government.

[wireman]

Clear channel didn't make this call based on a sense of civic duty or good business.

They are simply afraid of the FCC so they are kissing a little gov't butt.

[sakic]

The FCC didn't mandate this, the corporation did.

To believe that a company is trying to lose millions of dollars in revenue is idiotic. The FCC should not even exist.

[kittymyrib]

Families used to be able to listen to the radio together on the PUBLIC AIRWAVES. You can be as lewd as you want in the privacy of your own home. And by the way, I hope you don't have children because they pick up the offensive conduct of the adults around them and spread it around at school. That's why parents need to monitor whom their children associate with.

[garbanzo]

Criticize politicians in power and lose your license to broadcast.

Whether or not you like lesbian dial-a-date or the homeless game, when people can't criticize government officials on the public airwaves without risking their business licence or jobs, we've really crossed over to the dark side.

[WhiteGuy]

"AFA said it would ask its members to begin filing official indecency complaints"


What, these do-gooders can't think for themselves?

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Does every second of media have to be consumable by the youngest children? Can any of the broadcast media be for adults?

This is a joke, right?

From billboards to radio to 8PM Sitcoms to the Supebowl halftime show...all of it is very adult-themed (in a childish way). Common sense used to rule these things...but that has been deceased on a national level for quite some time.

By the way, I am not for the censorship of Stern. (I actually find his pro-abortion, pro-Kerry stances to be the most personally offensive.)

[whereasandsoforth]

Howard was off the air for quite some time in the Dallas area. He's back now, but his absence did not cause the city to fall into the Trinity River or anything.

Personally, I think it is ridiculous to have this happen. I don't listen to Stern or his kind because I don't want to. I find it silly and lewd. But I don't care who does listen in.

But, on the other hand, I don't mind a bit of a shake-up every now and then to remind those in need that there are limits to what the airways will allow. Those limits are just as important and no more obscene that the content of programs in question.

[isthisnickcool]

I've never heard Howard Stern's radio show but I've ran across it on TV on E! I think it's his radio show that's just taped for TV. Howard Stern is basically a dirty old man. Pandering to a very young audience best I can tell. Every show I've ran across as I flip through channels has some kind of pornogrqaphy star on it. Or something to do with nekkid women. Now, I don't watch the show but just in channel flipping I've seen:

1) Some pornography bimbo that Stern is giving a "test" to that if she fails her head gets stuck in a toilet.

2) Two nekkid ladies (they blur out the nekkid parts) that have sticks stuck in their backsides while somone tries to toss a ring around the stick.

3) Some high school kid who was going to prom with some pornography woman named Houston (I was born in Houston so I recall her name but wish she's change it) who looked like she was made of plastic.

This is just the stuff I can recall watching for a few seconds. If he does this garbage every day and has an audience he has a very stupid one.

I also have ran across things on MTV that are worse than Stern since it involves situations where young adults get drunk, get thrown in jail, have sex, cuss, etc. I think one of the programs is called Real World and it's filled with the most worthless little snots you will ever see. MTV, in my opinion is just trash.

I'd hope that people like Stern (who is a pus filled zit with hair) just waste away because nobody likes the subject matter. But that's obviously not the case. Which is sad.

[Ff--150]

"What, these do-gooders can't think for themselves?"

Huh!??

[Hatteras]

"We will not air Howard Stern on Clear Channel stations until we are assured that his show will conform to acceptable standards of responsible broadcasting," Hogan said."

Yeah, right. If Stern did that, he wouldn't have any listeners. What will all the zit-riddled, pale, fat, computer game geeks between the ages of 18 and 35 going to do with their life now?!

[AlbertWang]

My complaint about Stern, et al, is that they are Cheap Craftsmen. Anyone can take the low road to humour. Stern's work, (and the JJ boob, and BTLS) all are the lowest form of what should be an art. It takes very little talent to curse, or have people disrobe, or offend with a stunt like O&A's cathedral escapade, or discuss the other trash that Stern and his ilk produce.

These are the reasons that Stern, BTLS, O&A, etc should be bounced from our airwaves. Find someone who has real talent, and does not require a genitalia joke for laughs.

Call me a %^&*(%$# Nazi if you wish, it just demonstrates the limits of your vocabulary.

[binreadin]

They aren't losing their jobs because they disagree with the government--they lose because finally, someone, somewhere, has the balls to uphold some general standard of decency. What you do in your own home means nothing to me, but I'm sick and tired of having this crap surrounding me and my family. Every functional society has recognizable standards of behavior which serve generally to protect the interests of the majority of the population. These standards have evolved through thousands of years of some degree of civilization. All you have to do is observe those societies who do not share these values (i.e., many countries in Africa, now depopulating from disease and violence) and you can see that the standards serve a constructive purpose for the majority, particularly the youngest members of our families. If you want to listen to and watch filth, start your own damn society somewhere far away from us.

[GungaLaGunga]

MEMO TO REPUBS:
You are in severe danger of appearing to be in lock-step with Wildmon and others if you pursue this obscenity track. FACT - Most of Stern's listeners vote Republican and tend to be conservative.

[atomicpossum]

Isn't it amazing that Janet Jackson's stupid stunt has had this kind of fallout?

[2banana]

Most of Stern's listeners vote Republican and tend to be conservative.

This may or may not be true. But I can tell you one thing, Stern is a true left wing limousine liberal. Has tons of security, but wants no one else to have a gun. Wants to live his multimillionaire lifestyle, but wants government controlled health care and housing for you. He thinks Bush is a Hitler but Clinton was a man of the people. I could go on.

I think the biggest thing that I do not understand about Howard Stern is that by all measures he has it made. He dates/has sex with beautiful women, has a great job, lives in a multi million dollar estate, has more money than he knows what to do with, take fabulous vacations, goes to all the A list parties, is greeted and adored where ever he goes...

Yet...

He is miserable. He hates his life. One day I wonder if he will commit suicide (he sometimes off the cuff refers to his own death).

I wonder if anyone has even tried to talk to him about his religion (Jewish) or has really talked to him about Christ.

[ContemptofCourt]

Its a private corp, they can do what they want. I've already e-mailed the local station that carried him that I won't be listening anymore until he's back.

Ditto. This is CCM kissing the FCC's butt. I'm sure another local station will be happy to have another afluent listener.

[ElTianti]

Families used to be able to listen to the radio together on the PUBLIC AIRWAVES. You can be as lewd as you want in the privacy of your own home. And by the way, I hope you don't have children because they pick up the offensive conduct of the adults around them and spread it around at school. That's why parents need to monitor whom their children associate with.

Ok, so because you can’t control your children’s access to media, we’ll all be force to watch only reruns of “Barney” and “Little house on the prairie.”

[garbanzo]

If you want to listen to and watch filth, start your own damn society somewhere far away from us.

Why should I have to move to satisfy your tastes? When this was a great country, people had the freedom to make their own decisions and everybody had a wide array of choices and a marketplace which attempted to satisfy as many of those choices as possible. Howard Stern isn't for everyone and when this was a free country that was okay. No one was forced to listen to him and many people enjoyed his show. But now that's not enough and because some people don't like his show, no one can listen to it.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

FACT - Most of Stern's listeners vote Republican and tend to be conservative.

Any independent substantiation for this fact?

Do they appreciate his rabidly pro-abortion comments? His endorsement of John Kerry? His stance on gay marriage? Or do they just tune that out while waiting for anal ring toss?

[Prince Charles]

You know, if these so-called shock jocks learned what the dump button does, and what real comedy means, they wouldn't be in the trouble they're in now.

It's high time the FCC intervened to stop the race to the gutter that has corrupted much of mainstream radio.

[EEDUDE]

Absolutely agree with that.

You said it beautifully!

[anniegetyourgun]

You'll never convince folk like garbanzo and sakic who think this ruling is the "dark side,", but Stern is not. They also appear to believe that Howard is innocent of the charges. But, I would expect nothing else from people who want no standards.

[bankwalker]

The FCC should not even exist.

or the FTC or FDA for that matter.

[EEDUDE]

"Ok, so because you can’t control your children’s access to media, we’ll all be force to watch only reruns of “Barney” and “Little house on the prairie.”


Well, you'll certainly learn more from "Barney" than you will from Howard Stern.

I'm personally sick of this pervasive trash.

When I was a kid, we didn't have it, and didn't miss it.

[MrB]

Isn't it amazing that Janet Jackson's stupid stunt has had this kind of fallout?

Fallout... hehe.

But on a more serious note - I think the left is going to get a one-two punch, from Janet to The Passion, followed by a landslide victory for W as the knockout blow.

[hchutch]

Have they forgotten how to use the dial (or these days, the scanning function), do they not know how to put in a tape or CD, or is it the inability to find the OFF switch?

[bankwalker]

The only radio show I regularly tune in to is Bob Grant. Now THAT's entertaining talk.

And VERY informative. I wish Rush had Bob Grant's knowledge of history and was able to help his 20 million listeners apply those lessons to today's circumstances. What a very wise man Bob is.

[atomicpossum]

But on a more serious note - I think the left is going to get a one-two punch, from Janet to The Passion, followed by a landslide victory for W as the knockout blow.

Don't overlook Hollywood souring the water with a venomous Oscar^TM ceremony and hyper-liberal tirades up to the elections...this may be the year Hollywood hangs itself.

[PLOM...NOT!]

...all of it is very adult-themed

Howard Stern's show is nothing but trash TV. The word "adult" has been hijacked by the pornographers. There is nothing "adult" about Howard Sterns show. Used to be that if someone was an adult they exhibited mature, responsible, honorable behavior. Now we have pure selfish, vulgar, pornographic behavior being considered "adult".

There are quite a few people who refuse to grow up and take responsibility for themselves.

[atomicpossum]

I have had to scrape things less odious than Stern off the bottom of my shoe.

[ElTianti]

I'm personally sick of this pervasive trash. When I was a kid, we didn't have it, and didn't miss it.

If you don't like it, don't listen.

[CJ Wolf]

"This may or may not be true. But I can tell you one thing, Stern is a true left wing limousine liberal. Has tons of security, but wants no one else to have a gun. Wants to live his multimillionaire lifestyle, but wants government controlled health care and housing for you. He thinks Bush is a Hitler but Clinton was a man of the people."

I can tell you a few things that are true, He likes Bush, has said it many times. Supports the war on Terror and the War in Iraq. He has a gun. Thinks other people should be able to carry guns. And rails against illegals, so what you say isn't true. So I'd say it's not true what you say. Perhaps you should listen before passing judgement or making statements that are false, you might learn something. Most of his listeners know this.

[ContemptofCourt]

I think that the right is overplaying their hand. It is one thing to be conservative in the fiscal/defense sense. It is another to be conservative in the social arena.

Bush is tacking right on social issues, and while this may play well for him with his base, it will not play well with the moderates he needs (yes, needs) to carry him in the next election. Particularly if everything is going hunky-dory, and people are looking for an issue to vote on.

I am exactly one of those people. I absolutely support Bush on fiscal and defense matters, but I would also appreciate Big Government staying out of my life. If it appears that Big Government is going to start dictating what I can watch and listen to, then I am going to have issues in teh Fall.

Christ, this is supposed to be a conservative White House....

[leadpenny]

Clear channel didn't make this call based on a sense of civic duty or good business.

They are simply afraid of the FCC so they are kissing a little gov't butt.

Good call!

[Miss Marple]

Well, since I just listened to his rant about "right-wing fascists who are out of control" on Fox this morning, I sincerely doubt he is a big supporter of the President. Perhaps, like Rosie O'Donnell, he was momentarily supportive after 9/11. The rant this morning had a distinctly anti-Republican tinge to it.

[2banana]

I can tell you a few things that are true, He likes Bush, has said it many times. Supports the war on Terror and the War in Iraq. He has a gun. Thinks other people should be able to carry guns. And rails against illegals, so what you say isn't true. So I'd say it's not true what you say. Perhaps you should listen before passing judgement or making statements that are false, you might learn something. Most of his listeners know this.

I have listened to him. He is for EVERY gun control law ever passed or submitted or even thought about. He is AGAINST everything Bush stands for EXCEPT the way he has handled the war on terror. He was a big DEAN supporter and was proud of it. Maybe you should really listen to him instead of glossing over the parts you that don't deal with lesbian sexual encounters.