TV, radio executives say they're cleaning up the airwaves

Herald Tribune ^ | February 26 2004 | Associated Press

[yonif]

"Bubba the Love Sponge" is gone and radio shock Howard Stern is on hiatus from some stations. TV networks are time-delaying certain shows to make sure inappropriate material doesn't make it onto the airwaves.

Broadcast executives cited these and other examples Thursday as evidence they are taking heed of the government's call to clean up the airwaves.

"We at Fox have heard your concerns loud and clear," said Gail Berman, the network's president of entertainment. "We sincerely regret that a few incidents of inappropriate programming have overshadowed the good shows we proudly air on Fox each week."

It was the second time in two weeks that the House Energy and Commerce telecommunications subcommittee queried broadcasters about indecency. The first hearing came on the heels of the notorious Super Bowl halftime show that ended with singer Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson's right breast to 90 million viewers

"Networks are being proactive in the efforts to clean up the airwaves," said subcommittee chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., who has sponsored legislation to increase the maximum fine for indecency from $27,500 to $275,000.

Several broadcasters endorsed the higher fines. John Hogan, president Clear Channel Radio, said the move would "serve as a 'shot across the bow' of the industry, putting us all on notice that Congress and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) are serious about cleaning up the airwaves."

Federal law bars radio stations and over-the-air television channels from airing material that refers to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in. The rules do not apply to cable and satellite channels and satellite radio.

FCC Chairman Michael Powell and other members of the FCC have criticized radio and TV network executives for not doing more to police the airwaves. They have warned executives they will face greater scrutiny and more fines if they fail to act.

The most dramatic response came from the nation's largest radio chain, 1,200-station Clear Channel Communications. This week it fired the disc jockey known as "Bubba the Love Sponge," took the Stern show off the six stations it owns and outlined new standards that include immediately suspending any on-air talent accused of airing indecent material by the FCC.

Hogan said he was "ashamed" of the "Bubba" show. The program, which aired in Florida, recently brought a proposed $755,000 FCC fine for sexually explicit content and other alleged indecency violations.

"We were wrong to air that material," Hogan said. "I accept responsibility for our mistake and my company will live with the consequences of its actions."

Hogan said the company still has not decided whether it would pay the fine or contest it, saying company lawyers were reviewing the issue.

In a statement released late Thursday in Tampa, Todd Clem - the man known to Florida radio listeners as Bubba the Love Sponge - said he was "deeply saddened and confused" by Clear Channel's decision Monday to fire him.

"I understand the pressures forcing Clear Channel to act in the manner that it has," Clem said. "These pressures still trouble me since I have always striven to be a responsible broadcaster and entertainer. The success of my shows, my deep involvement in the community and significant support of many charitable initiatives fully attests to that belief."

Meantime, officials of ABC, NBC and Fox told lawmakers they are beginning campaigns touting the V-chip in television sets that allows parents to block certain programs. The network executives also said they would also call more attention to TV program ratings, such as using larger lettering or rerunning the ratings after every commercial break.

ABC President Alex Wallau said his network would air the Academy Awards on a time delay for the first time in the event's 76-year history. The move is to avoid that happened to NBC during last year's Golden Globe Awards show. During the broadcast, rock star Bono uttered an expletive.

"The isolated Bono incident is a rare exception in NBC's long history with live entertainment programming," said Alan Wurtzel, NBC's chief executive for broadcast standards and practices.

The three network executives also told lawmakers their affiliates are free to reject any programs they feel are inappropriate. For example, Wurtzel said the NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City does not air "Saturday Night Live." Wallau said "NYPD Blue" does not air on two ABC stations in Mississippi.

But Harry Pappas, whose Pappas Telecasting Companies own 28 TV stations in 10 states, said stations could lose their network affiliation if they pre-empt shows.

"The networks have grown more powerful and local stations have been forced increasingly to succumb to the networks' demands to the detriment of our viewers," Pappas said.

[randog]

But Harry Pappas, whose Pappas Telecasting Companies own 28 TV stations in 10 states, said stations could lose their network affiliation if they pre-empt shows.

My wife works for an ABC affiliate. You don't mess with the mother station's programming.

[bannie]

The V-chip won't work. There are those who will work overtime to slip under the chip--even just for a brief time. Further, the false security will make parents relax when they should NOT...AND the stations will feel that they can show ANYTHING...no responsibility when "parents should just get the chip."

[BrucefromMtVernon]

Having TV/radio execs attempt to clean-up the airwaves is akin to having the fox look after the henhouse. As for CBS, I e-mailed them right after the Superbowl to inform them that they were fully accountable for what took place on TV, that not even so much as an apology was acceptable for what happened, that I don't watch television at all because it is all just so much filth/slime/scum/rot/garbage. KILL YOUR TELEVISION!!

[Political Junkie Too]

It used to be that when confronted with complaints about their programming, they would say that they were just a reflection of society.

When told that society isn't buying their programming, they say that they are artists who are pushing the envelope.

I guess they finally went one show too far.

After all the outrage, and the Left's outrage at the outrage, we have finally have "The Breast Seen 'Round The World," or the start of the new Revolution.

-PJ