Equal time rule nixes Arnold interview

UPI via IA ^

[Stew Padasso]

Equal time rule nixes Arnold interview

NEW YORK, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Shock jock Howard Stern has had to cancel his interview of Arnold Schwarzenegger because of the Federal Communications Commission's equal-time rule.

Stern's lawyers advised him if he interviews Schwarzenegger, he would be obligated to interview all 135 gubernatorial candidates in the California runoff election -- if they requested equal time.

Schwarzenegger, a frequent guest on the radio program, told Stern June 24 that if he decided to run for governor, he would come back on the show to talk about it. A phone interview was set for Wednesday but it was postponed.

What particularly irked Stern, was that Schwarzenegger could still appear on Oprah Winfrey's television show, a gig his staff said is in the works. That could happen because newscasts, news interview shows and documentaries are exempt from equal-time provisions.

Copyright 2003 by United Press International. All rights reserved.

[kimmie7]

I'm surprised that Arnold was the one the lecherous Stern wanted to interview.

[kellynla]

Tom McClintock will be on the following shows!

Today at 4:00PM - Hardball with Chris Matthews MSNBC

Today at 6:00PM - Hannity and Colmes National T.V. Fox News

Today at 7:00PM - Newsnight with Aaron Brown National Television CNN

VOTE4MCCLINTOCK or pay$ the con$equence$!
Only 46 days 'til we DUMP DAVIS!
http://www.tommcclintock.com

[StriperSniper]

Howard has already had Mary Carey on, I'm sure she could make a repeat appearance. ;-)

[Stew Padasso]

I'm not. Both are pro aborts. And that is one of Stern's pet issues.

[DoctorZIn]

PING!

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[kimmie7]

I suppose I shouldn't have been. That man sickens me. I rarely have such a feeling of loathing for someone I've never met.

[steplock]

Howard Stern in California?

Question --- Any interviewer OUTSIDE of California would not be required to provide equal time would they? Since this only concerns California - and not the federal govt (supposedly).

[chachacha]

Schwarzenegger, a frequent guest on the radio program,

I wonder if the statememt"you are the company you keep".

Is a valid one Hmmmm!

[Spyder]

I don't get this. Fox has had Simon, McClintock, Gary Coleman, Carey et al - not to mention Arianna who's been everywhere. Have they thrown open the gates to all 135?

[Mr. Bird]

Schwarzenegger could still appear on Oprah Winfrey's television show, a gig his staff said is in the works. That could happen because newscasts, news interview shows and documentaries are exempt from equal-time provisions.

Oprah Winfrey's show is just "news oriented" as Stern's. Does the FCC really think Winfrey is some sort of journalist?

[gridlock]

I am far from a Howard Stern fan, but if he would interview Ahnold, and then invite all of the opposition on the program, that would be great radio. The law just says he has to grant them equal time, not equal respect.

Stern could have a five-minute segment with Ahnold, and then a daily five-minute demolition of whatever other candidate was stupid enough to accept his offer. They'd get the message soon enough!

[ysoitanly]

All of this is so stupid. But then again, it's my state, and nothing surprises me. We're all assumed so stupid and it all has to be so PC that the gubmint thinks if we watch a rerun of Terminator or Diff'rent Strokes, it'll change our mind as we vote. We're also so stupid that the punch card machines that elected this as$hole are too 'confusing' to UN-elect him, so they challenge that. Gray Davis is toast, the people will not waver, and all of this outside garbage isn't going to change our minds. Gray Davis and John Kerry need to give it up and open up a joint venture hair salon.

[Looking for Diogenes]

Oprah Winfrey's show is just "news oriented" as Stern's. Does the FCC really think Winfrey is some sort of journalist?

Note that it is not the FCC making this determination, it is Stern's own lawyers.

[Looking for Diogenes]

Any interviewer OUTSIDE of California would not be required to provide equal time would they?

This only affect broadcasters (not cable channels) that serve California. A station right over the border would still have to comply. Bona fide news shows are exempted.

[Revolting cat!]

Both are pro aborts

WHAT?! Mary Carey is pro-abort? I'm shocked! Won't vote for her busta montes then!

[hobbes1]

OPRAH Qualifies as a News show.....?!?!?!?!?!?

[Looking for Diogenes]

Sec. 315. - Candidates for public office (a) Equal opportunities requirement; censorship prohibition; allowance of station use; news appearances exception; public interest; public issues discussion opportunities If any licensee shall permit any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use a broadcasting station, he shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station: Provided, That such licensee shall have no power of censorship over the material broadcast under the provisions of this section. No obligation is imposed under this subsection upon any licensee to allow the use of its station by any such candidate. Appearance by a legally qualified candidate on any - (1) bona fide newscast, (2) bona fide news interview, (3) bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news documentary), or (4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including but not limited to political conventions and activities incidental thereto), shall not be deemed to be use of a broadcasting station within the meaning of this subsection. Nothing in the foregoing sentence shall be construed as relieving broadcasters, in connection with the presentation of newscasts, news interviews, news documentaries, and on-the-spot coverage of news events, from the obligation imposed upon them under this chapter to operate in the public interest and to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance. (b) Broadcast media rates The charges made for the use of any broadcasting station by any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office in connection with his campaign for nomination for election, or election, to such office shall not exceed - (1) during the forty-five days preceding the date of a primary or primary runoff election and during the sixty days preceding the date of a general or special election in which such person is a candidate, the lowest unit charge of the station for the same class and amount of time for the same period; and (2) at any other time, the charges made for comparable use of such station by other users thereof. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section - (1) the term ''broadcasting station'' includes a community antenna television system; and (2) the terms ''licensee'' and ''station licensee'' when used with respect to a community antenna television system mean the operator of such system. (d) Rules and regulations The Commission shall prescribe appropriate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section

[Stew Padasso]

This week on Oprah:

Monday, 8/25/03
Grooms Gone Wild

Tuesday, 8/26/03
Why I Came to America

Wednesday, 8/27/03
Secret Thoughts of Children

Thursday, 8/28/03
Amazing Adventures

Friday, 8/29/03
Incredible Stories of Survival

[thegreatbeast]

This is nonsense! Stern can have anyone on that he wants to. He is under no obligation to air interviews with other candidates. Someone is barbrastreisanding someone here.