Howard Stern suspended from Clear Channel stations

Forbes ^ | 2-25-04

[Indy Pendance]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shock jock Howard Stern's show was yanked Wednesday from Clear Channel Communications Inc. radio stations after an incident on his show Tuesday, the first casualty of its zero tolerance policy on indecency.

"It was vulgar, offensive and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency," Clear Channel Radio Chief Executive John Hogan said in a statement.

"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," he said.

Clear Channel has about 1,200 stations in the United States though it was not immediately clear how many aired his show.

Stern's show is syndicated by a unit of Viacom Inc.

[sakic]

This was a decision by a company not to have Stern on their station any more. If the government starts telling companies who they can or can not keep on their stations, THEN WE HAVE A PROBLEM !

If you believe that Infinity Broadcasting is purposely trying to lose millions of dollars and that this is not a response to governemnt pressure you might want to think about it some more.

[FreeReign]

So we must have pornography on the public airwaves and pornography in the public square or else Rush will be shutdown?

No. Enforce existing laws. But do not think for one moment that this will not be applied against conservative talk show hosts by the revival of the fairness doctrine. You keep believing that it won't happen. But Rush, Savage, Boortz, Beck, etc., no what will happen when the liberals return to full power.

When the liberals return to "full power", it will not matter what preceded -- current obscenity laws or no current obscenity laws. They will do what they want anyway. That's what having full power means.

The stupidity of your above statement remains.

[FreeReign]

Have a good evening.

Thanks for your well-wishes.

[FreeReign]

Who will be the arbiter of what is obscene? You just don't understand the implications of your government intimidating speech off the air.

Who will be the arbiter of anything? Why don't we just call this entire government thingy we have now off.

[thegreatbeast]

Howard's 9/11 show can be downloaded through some of the P2P programs. On that day THEY (specifically Tom) knew it was UBL's handiwork.

[TomasUSMC]

this tide of censorship will be good for the country as long as conservatives stay in power, but once the touchy feely pc crowd gets an election win, then the tables will be turned and anyone criticizing homosexuals or abortion will get zapped. At least its a step in the RIGHT direction.

Question is, do we protect the first amendment or not. Remember decency is to be decided by the local community, at least that is what the SC says.

Hell Ill take my chances. Stern has been getting away with crap for 20 years. What say you?

[thegreatbeast]

The problem, Tess, is that an 8 year old can operate the on/off switch too, thereby accessing the unimaginative cesspool of Stern's show.

[dead]

The problem, Tess, is that an 8 year old can operate the on/off switch too, thereby accessing the unimaginative cesspool of Stern's show.

An 8 year old can also operate a book of matches or a steak knife or a gun. That’s why an 8 year-old needs a parent or two to look after them.

It is certainly not the role of the federal government to eradicate anything that might be inappropriate or unsafe in the hands of an 8 year old.

[Coroner]

whats p2p programs?? I'd love to get ahold of that program

[thegreatbeast]

Your original post ran, "everyone has an on/off switch. if you don't like what you're hearing on howard's show, exercise some discipline and use it.

i don't want the government to dictate what i can see and hear. i'm not 8 years old."



As a parent I can't always man the on/off switch to see that Stern's crap is coming into my home. I'll take care of steak knives, etc but shouldn't have to worry about PUBLIC airwaves.

The gov't hasn't done anything here. Clear Channel has taken this action in response to a general sensitivity after the Janet Jackson exhibition. It's long overdue. Stern crosses many lines and thought should be given as to how he is presented.

[Ken H]

this tide of censorship will be good for the country as long as conservatives stay in power, but once the touchy feely pc crowd gets an election win, then the tables will be turned and anyone criticizing homosexuals or abortion will get zapped. At least its a step in the RIGHT direction.

Yes, "indecency" might have an entirely different meaning under a Dem appointed FCC.

Question is, do we protect the first amendment or not. Remember decency is to be decided by the local community, at least that is what the SC says.

Hell Ill take my chances. Stern has been getting away with crap for 20 years. What say you?

I'd say this Congress has been very contemptuous of the First Amendment, as illustrated by CFR and this latest action.