FCC Says Howard Stern Show Is News Program

Yahoo! News ^ | September 9, 2003 | DAVID HO

[Pan_Yans Wife]

When you think about news shows, what comes to mind? There's "Meet the Press." And "Face the Nation." And now, Howard Stern's radio show.

That's right. The Federal Communications Commission ruled Tuesday that Stern's raunchy radio program is a "bona fide news interview" program.

The decision was in response to a request made by New York-based Infinity Broadcasting Operations Inc., which wanted a ruling that its widely syndicated Stern show is a news program and exempt from equal time requirements for political candidates.

The decision will allow Stern to put actor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the air without having to offer time to the scores of other candidates running for governor in California.

Citing a 1984 decision that qualified the "Donahue" talk show for the news exemption, the FCC said there should be room for "less conventional interview formats" to increase coverage of the political process.

"Since the 'Donahue' decision, other news interview programs or segments thereof with unique and innovative format elements, such as the `Sally Jessy Raphael Show,' `Jerry Springer' and `Politically Incorrect,' have qualified for the news interview exemption," the FCC said.

"We expected the commission to rule favorably and we're pleased with the results," said Infinity Broadcasting spokesman Dana McClintock.

Stern, whose show includes regular segments such as the "Wheel of Sex," has clashed with the FCC in the past. In 1995 Infinity Broadcasting agreed to pay a $1.7 million fine to settle a series of indecency charges the agency leveled against the Stern show.

The FCC said the broadcasts involved included graphic discussions of masturbation and child molestation and a segment in which Stern talked about shaving his posterior.

The FCC's latest decision didn't go over well with Andrew Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, a Washington-based media watchdog group.

"Howard Stern isn't 'bona fide' anything," Schwartzman said. He said the decision "mocks that system by equating Howard Stern with Tim Russert," host of NBC's "Meet the Press."

[Psycho_Bunny]

"Howard Stern isn't 'bona fide' anything," Schwartzman said.

Umm..."Bona fide jackass" comes to mind.

Richer than me, of course but a jackass, none-the-less.

[Cicero]

My opinion of Howard Stern is extremely low.

Having said that, I will add that my opinion of the average talking-head TV news reader is even lower. When the political pimps in the news media clean up their act, then they can complain about Howard Stern.

[contessa machiaveli]

it is as much a news program as anything else on the airwaves. robin does a very excellent news summary at the end of each show.
howard rules.

[Deb]

Hey, FCC...show us your tits!!

[John H K]

Keep in mind the audience for Howard Stern, along with the audience for most shock jocks, is likely among the most Republican dominated of anything other than conservative talk radio (as hard as that is for cultural conservatives to understand.)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

...`Sally Jessy Raphael Show,' `Jerry Springer' and `Politically Incorrect,' have qualified for the news interview exemption," the FCC said.

What, no Oprah?

[Mixer]

I have an opinion that I am sure, based on the responses so far, is going to be very unpopular in this thread.

While the raunchy Howard Stern seems to be poineted out most of the time. How many times have you seen how much love Howard Stern has for America. Not much cause the liberal media does not want you to know this. Yes he is raunchy but he always has been and has never tried to beny this. It is for an adult audience that goes way out of hand a lot of times. Keep in mind too that a lot of what he says is an act.

I have heard him discuss serious issues and I have heard him express his love for America. Unless he has me fooled and that is all an act I give him a lot of credit for the stance he has taken for America.

[Mixer]

beny=deny

[Malsua]

You've got that right.

Libs to a man, tend to hate Howard as he generally makes alot of sense. I wouldn't say i'm a big fan, I used to listen alot more in my 20s...He may get an hour a month from me as I'm on breaks from WABC...I may hit Stern.

Robin does a good news bit, but I've not heard it in years since I work early.

[cmsgop]

BABABOUY!

[all4one]

Howard Stern listeners are more likely to be a conservative middle and upper middle class demographic, ages 25-45. Not to mention a captive morning commute (e.g. gainfully employed) audience.

There are many conservative talk radio hosts who often mention being long-time Howard fans. For years Howard has talked about the French and what rats they are. He is more conservative than most would think and always praises our military.

[mhking]

"bona fide news interview" program

???!!!???

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[jmc813]

< Crackhead Bob voice>And now...heaas Rovin Quibbers....wit..... de neeeews.

[cyborg]

oh lord... I met Stuttering John once. He tried to hit on me. I was like...eeeeewwwww.

[thoughtomator]

2 minutes of Howard Stern contains more truth than an entire week of CNN.

[Dog Gone]

The equal time law is garbage anyway. When they pass a law that editorials in newspapers have to be equally balanced, let me know.

A private enterprise, liberal or conservative, should not be regulated as to what or who they display.

[Michael Barnes]

This is hysterical..Not tooooo long ago, Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk shows were labled as "entertainment". Now Stern, who is without doubt an entertainment program is labeled as "News"? Give me a f*cking break..

[Marianne]

Last week (forget what day), prior to today's ruling, Howard announced that he was going to have Arnold as a guest. He gave a rather lengthy introduction, saying he didn't care about the rule where all candidates had to be given equal time, he wanted Arnold on his program and he was just going to do it. However, he did say that just in case he would have to interview all 100+ candidates he would limit the interview to three minutes.
With that Arnold came on the air. The interview was conducted with Howard asking questions about Arnold's views on various subjects. Arnold briefly answered all of them.
When the interview ended Howard then said he would ask his producer what would happen now.
The producer came into the studio and said "That was a very good Arnold impersonator."
Whoever they hired sounded exactly like Arnold. It had me fooled.

[Orange1998]

Please tell me your not a 80 year old grandmother.

[dead]

the decision "mocks that system by equating Howard Stern with Tim Russert

Tim Russert isn't fit to throw baloney at Howard Stern's mayonnaise-smeared ass.

[KellyAdmirer]

"We expected the commission to rule favorably and we're pleased with the results," said Infinity Broadcasting spokesman Dana McClintock.

Ah, life is full of ironies....

[mtg]

The Federal Communications Commission ruled Tuesday that Stern's raunchy radio program is a "bona fide news interview" program... The decision was in response to a request made by New York-based Infinity Broadcasting Operations Inc., which wanted a ruling that its widely syndicated Stern show is a news program and exempt from equal time requirements for political candidates.

Well... now we know how to get around that one.

[billbears]

I have heard him discuss serious issues and I have heard him express his love for America. Unless he has me fooled and that is all an act I give him a lot of credit for the stance he has taken for America.

Ah, well, that makes it alright then. Sheesh, the absolute indifference that some 'conservatives' about the stance of flat out filth is amazing. As long as they wave a flag, say some nice words about this nation of states, and we can forget the other stuff. Is that it? Basically you're saying whatever the moral stance of someone is, as long as they salute the flag, they're a good 'American'.

Patriotism is more than saluting the flag and having a nationalistic stance 10% of the time. Especially when the other 90% of the time you're degrading women, telling filthy jokes, and destroying the moral fiber of the respective states in which Mr. Stern's broadcast is heard.

[xp38]

On the morning of 9/11 Howard had one of the better coverages of events. His show is far more of a news program than the others mentioned. I stopped listening ages ago but I think one can make a legitimate case that he covers news at times.

[radiohead]

You haven't been fooled. I've been a Stern fan for almost 14 years and I think you're absolutely right. I had no problem listening to Howard in the am and Rush in the pm.

Some of my friends would ask how could I listen to such a racist and I'd have to school them on Robin and how he's treated her over the years. Strange how some of these same people call Rush a racist and yet I see Bo Snerdly is still right by his side. These are the same liberals who don't have any black friends - except me I guess, and that's a tenuous relationship. : )

I was on the west coast on 9/11 and didn't get his show at the time, but I understand that Howard was very generous to the fire and police departments and very vocal in putting the blame right where it belongs.

[jmc813]

Howard Stern listeners are more likely to be a conservative middle and upper middle class demographic, ages 25-45.

Reading your comments, I can't help but think of Pig Virus reading the ratings in the movie "Private Parts". :-)

[all4one]

So I guess you think that the gangsta hip-hop being spewed to our nations 8-16 year olds via MTV, and 80% of the radio stations is ok.

But hard-working adults should have a babysitter government so that Howard Stern won't destroy our moral fiber. Our moral fiber is only destroyed by liberals telling us what they think is good for us.

[jabotinsky]

stern is great.

sad more uptight folks dont listen, the world would be a happier place.

www.koam.com

peace out yall

[all4one]

I knew I came up with those numbers somewhere.... The advertisers during Howard's show are catering to that demo.

I would like to meet someone who has not had a boss like Pig Vomit...one of the funniest parts of that movie.

[Deb]

Russert was Mario Cuomo's top aide. Howard was Fartman!

Who had more dignity? We know, Baby!

[Akira]

Pig Vomit (not Virus), but I agree that was a hilarious part of the movie.

Howard once talked about running for governor of NY, where he would bring back the death penalty and then step down. I enjoyed that. He's no longer syndicated here in Dallas.

[billbears]

Nope don't think I said that at all. However it was the intent, although 'conservatives' don't want to admit it, for the separate states to determine a certain morality of and what goes on within their state

“Our Constitution was only made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”--John Adams

Our moral fiber is destroyed by those, on either side, that think because the national government doesn't explicitly forbid an action that they must therefore do that action in the name of freedom. Don't hide behind the Constitution to condone your 'idea' of freedom. Because the very words by men like Adams clearly state your ideal was never meant to be there

Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought--Lord Acton

[dead]

For the record, he was "Pig Vomit" in real life, but "Pig Virus" in the movie.

I do not know the exact reasons why they changed it.

[Timesink]

Howard on Monday:

Howard said a lot of people were asking him what he thought about President Bush's speech last night. Howard said he thought it was brilliant and it shut everyone up. He went on to talk about some of the stuff President Bush talked about in his speech and how tough this war against terror is going to be. Howard seems to think that we're being a little too nice over in the Middle East and we need to get a little more aggressive with them. Howard also talked about how ''nice'' everyone has to be these days and how ridiculous it is.

Pa Pa Puppet!

---

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[Timesink]

For the record, he was "Pig Vomit" in real life, but "Pig Virus" in the movie. I do not know the exact reasons why they changed it.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Stern famously skewered Metheny in his book "Private Parts," in which Metheny was called "Pig Virus," and the subsequent motion picture, where the stinging sobriquet evolved into "Pig Vomit" because, Stern said, "he looks like a pig and makes you want to vomit."

Also, Pig Virus himself was not a character in the movie. The W-ENNNNNN-BC program director in the film was a composite of Pig Virus and the two WNBC general managers that Howard had to deal with, so that might have something to do with the name change.

Howard once talked about running for governor of NY, where he would bring back the death penalty and then step down. I enjoyed that. He's no longer syndicated here in Dallas.

Howard's entire program is posted daily in MP3 format to the Usenet newsgroup alt.binaries.howard-stern.

[hchutch]

Howard Stern did New York a great favor by helping defeat Mario Cuomo in `94. Dubya ought to put in an appearance on that show during the `04 convention.

What could it hurt?

[hchutch]

Activating the King of All Media ping list...

[all4one]

Wow, your post sounds like you have a lot in common with the Muttawa of Islam. So please let us know when you come up with a listing of the moral code that U.S. citizens should abide.

Barbie Deemed Threat to Saudi Morality NW Cable News ^ | 09/09/03 | Staff Writer

Posted on 09/09/2003 5:05 PM EDT by bedolido

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi Arabia's religious police have declared Barbie dolls a threat to morality, complaining that the revealing clothes of the "Jewish" toy - already banned in the kingdom - are offensive to Islam.

The Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, as the religious police are officially known, lists the dolls on a section of its Web site devoted to items deemed offensive to the conservative Saudi interpretation of Islam.

"Jewish Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful," said a poster on the site.

The poster, plastered with pictures of Barbie in short dresses and tight pants, and with a few of her accessories, reads: "A strange request. A little girl asks her mother: Mother, I want jeans, a low-cut shirt, and a swimsuit like Barbie."

Such posters are distributed to schools and hung in the streets by the religious police, or muttawa, an independent body affiliated with the office of the Prime Minister.

Sheik Abdulla al-Merdas, a preacher in a Riyadh mosque, said the muttawa take their anti-Barbie campaign to the shops, confiscating dolls from sellers and imposing a fine.

Other items listed as violations on the site included Valentine's Day gifts, perfume bottles in the shape of women's bodies, clothing with logos that include a cross, and decorative copies of religious items - offensive because they could be damaged and thus insult Islam.

An exhibition of all the violating items is found in the holy city of Medina, and mobile tours go around to schools and other public areas in the kingdom. The muttawa act as a monitoring and punishing agency, propagating conservative Islamic beliefs according to the teachings of the puritan Wahhabi sect, adhered to the kingdom since the 18th century, and enforcing strict moral code.

The muttawa patrol the streets of the kingdom, preventing men from mingling with women, enforcing strict Islamic dress for women, chasing worshippers late for prayers, and punishing shop keepers who stay open during prayer hours. They sometimes work with a police officer who can enforce legal punishments on people deemed violators.

[mhking]

What could it hurt?

Babba-booey, Babba-booey, Babba-booey...

Yeah. Real "good."

[Believe_In_The_Singularity]

...equating Howard Stern with Tim Russert...

Howard is a better interviewer. He asks the questions the public wants asked and he follows up until he gets an answer.

Ba Ba BITS

[billbears]

billbears

Nope don't think I said that at all. However it was the intent, although 'conservatives' don't want to admit it, for the separate states to determine a certain morality of and what goes on within their state

“Our Constitution was only made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”--John Adams

Our moral fiber is destroyed by those, on either side, that think because the national government doesn't explicitly forbid an action that they must therefore do that action in the name of freedom. Don't hide behind the Constitution to condone your 'idea' of freedom. Because the very words by men like Adams clearly state your ideal was never meant to be there

Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought--Lord Acton

all4one

Wow, your post sounds like you have a lot in common with the Muttawa of Islam. So please let us know when you come up with a listing of the moral code that U.S. citizens should abide.

And there we have it in a nutshell. Quotes from the Founders of this nation of states and their intent on morality are likened to 'Muttawa of Islam'. And people ask what's wrong with this nation. Why conservatives don't want to stand up in the Republican party and take one for 'the team'. That response right there is why

I don't suggest a moral code for all citizens of their respective states. However, codes of moral conduct (you would call them state laws) were established by the respective states to maintain a level of morality the majority within a certain state felt was necessary. To suggest that these men were on the same level of Islam is to suggest that the foundation of this nation of states is somehow faulty as well

The fight for conservatism goes on. Is it just waving a flag? Or is it believing in the document behind it and the intent of the words of men who established it?

[all4one]

I certainly don't suggest that the founders of our country are on the same level as the Muttawa's is Islam. I did however suggest that "you" would twist the meaning of our founders. And that "you" like most liberals would want to have a nation of states whose citizenry is babysat based on a moral code as excerpted from a recent Islamic rant on Barbie. So please re-post your friends with my ENTIRE post regarding Islam.

[dead]

Howard's entire program is posted daily in MP3 format to the Usenet newsgroup alt.binaries.howard-stern.

I admit to being technologically illiterate, but could please explain how exactly I could use this information.

You see, my brother is also a big Howard Stern fan, and he just moved to Hong Kong. He told me that he REALLY misses his daily dose of Stern and he would be very psyched if I told him how to access it. But I really have no idea what Usenet is.

[Incorrigible]

Alas Marianne, you were indeed fooled.

That was the real Arnold but they were trying to keep it under the FCC radar.

[all4one]

To: cajungirl

He is a good man, a very good man.

Jimmy Carter was a good man, a very good man with a good heart. ......

446 posted on 09/07/2003 8:53 PM EDT by billbears (Deo Vindice)

Now that is a nice tidbit from your past. Now that I know that I am dealing with a Jimmy Carter supporter, I know for sure that I can summarily dismiss any additional posts from you.

Regarding the primary reason for my post regarding Stern. Just in case you haven't noticed, your radio has a dial. That dial can be used to change to a station that more suits your taste and those of your friend Jimmy (Loves Castro, Loves N. Korea, Love Communists) Carter.

[Incorrigible]

Dead!!!!

Oh my what you've been missing.

and the sound and video files

Please note that these links contain a preponderance of 4th grade level adult humor!

When you click the link, Outlook Express will open (Assuming you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer).  If you haven't setup a newsgroup server, it will ask for one.  Your ISP has instructions on how to access their Newsgroup server. 

However, if that's too much trouble, you can use Google Groups:

This is the same link but using Google:

Howard Stern Newsgroup

However, Google doesn't allow access to the Binaries newsgroups. 

You can get free access to newsgroups here:

http://www.teranews.com/

Let me know if you need more help.

 

[Incorrigible]

Hmmmm. I see John Robinson screens out newsgroup links like the one in the above post.

Sorry, you're going to have to be content with other links I supplied.

[Tymesup]

Howard has a brain which he uses, compared to some news people who merely parrot their particular party line.

Howard did not say someone can lie and yet be an honest man, like Dan Rather did about Bill Clinton.

Imus does a good segment now and then, too.

[The Westerner]

Exactly. Robin's news summaries are cogent, accurate, grammatical, clearly spoken. Howard's comments often reflect the common man's. Often, the stance he takes on issues is one of great common sense, no b.s., no fear of political correctness. Only a handful of radio commentators do not fear public opinion.