Free Republic

The biggest gamble in the short life of satellite radio hits the table at 6 a.m. today, as Howard Stern starts what he calls his creative rebirth at Sirius. The most prominent morning host on commercial radio for 20 years, Stern joined Sirius because he says the FCC's vague content guidelines made it impossible for him to do his "real show" any more. Because satellite listeners pay a monthly subscription fee, like cable TV watchers, the FCC does not regulate content - though Stern's arrival has amplified calls for such regulation to be authorized. Stern's switch to Sirius, with his...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Radio shock jock Howard Stern, who is moving to satellite radio to avoid broadcast decency rules, traded verbal jabs on air with Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) Chairman Michael Powell on Tuesday, charging him with nepotism and undermining free speech. "It is apparent to most of us in broadcasting that your father got you your job," said Stern, who called in while Powell was being interviewed on San Francisco's KGO-AM 810. Powell shot back that his father, Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites), had nothing to do with his appointment. The FCC...