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.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I think you've got the wrong day. I read what happened today, and it said this:

While they were talking about this stuff the delay was hit multiple times. Howard was talking about the first breast he saw as a kid. He said it was a black woman in National Geographic with plates in her lips and rings around her neck. Howard continued to goof on Wilson and all of the nonsense she was spewing. Howard and Gary were also talking about how these people accept money from the people they regulate to travel and do other stuff. Howard said it's time for them to go along with George Bush. Howard told Bush to call off his attack dogs and get on to the real problems in this country. He took a break right after that.

[Timesink]

"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.

At first glance, this sounds more like Howard violated political correctness than actually committed a violation of "indecency policy". Anyone know the exact bit?

[Coroner]

On the first anniversary of 9-11 he replayed his show from the attacks. It was chilling to hear the horror that was in their voices on that fateful day. I wish there was a weblink for all to hear!!

[richmwill]

Boy, I can't wait until we get back to the glory days of the exciting Cousin Brucie and Casey Kasem shows- spinning those records, doing a backwards countdown of all the top hits of today- the only chatter you need is during the commercials, darn it. It's gonna be GREAT! (/sarcasm off)

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I actually really like Howard. I think he's funny, sentimental, crazy, part libertarian, part conservative.

The part I dislike is the pornographer Howard. The women degrading Howard. The freak show Howard.

That and the fact that he's become what he hated, you know trophy bimbette blonde, just like Imus.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

see 41.

[weegee]

Savage already got canned (from tv) last year and he said that he wouldn't be the last.

This sounds like it was a politically correct outrage versus an obscenity outrage (as was Michael Savage's and Rush Limbaugh's).

[nwctwx]

From drudge...

The action comes after CC executives reviewed comment made on Stern's Tuesday broadcast, including on on-air caller's comments: 'Ever bang a famous n***** (stars added) chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?'...

[JOE6PAK]

Cousin Brucie...77 WABC NYC!***CHIME****

[WhiteGuy]

"Congress is considering increasing the maximum fine for indecency from $27,500 to $275,000, a move that the Federal Communications Commission endorsed"


I guess Freedom of Speech is a thing of the past......

Two words..............

Seig Heil

[MindBender26]

You're on Howard's side.... when a bunch of 8 year olds listen to him on the school bus every day?

[BobS]

Heh! I don't know how I tuned him in once a few years ago. Howard and Robin started talking about Bill and Monica and somehow ended up in an audio anal sex scene. What a curve ball!

[mikenola]

"It was vulgar, offensive and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency,"

Behold the power of prior restraint!

How long will it take Pres. Hillary to declare "badmouthing Democrats" to be in violation of "common decency" ?

[Timesink]

see 41.

Thanks. Sure sounds like PC suppression to me, unless you're no longer even allowed to say "breast" on the air.

[gaspar]

Mel Karmazin is running scared. Sumner Redstone has threatened to make him his new pole dancer.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

He went downhill right around the time that he split from his wife.

I agree. The divorce was the final straw. He was given a pass for his type of satire under the cover of his marriage and being a "family man". After the divorce, he came across as a creepy, dirty old man (instead of a creepy, young man who was married).

[ican'tbelieveit]

I don't think Clear Channel would get rid of Rush. They are making way too much $$$ on him.

[Destro]

Infinity owns the the Stern show - Clear Channel bought his shows for syndication - they are Infinity's competition. Stern's show is still aired by Infinity.

[Rome2000]

Howard Stern Show Taken Off Clear Channel Stations
yahoo ^


Posted on 02/25/2004 8:00:45 PM EST by bogdanPolska12


Wednesday February 25, 6:44 pm ET

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2004--Clear Channel Radio has suspended the broadcast of Viacom's Howard Stern show, consistent with its Responsible Broadcasting Initiative announced earlier today. After assessing the content of yesterday's Howard Stern show, Clear Channel worked with local market managers to take swift and decisive action. "Clear Channel drew a line in the sand today with regard to protecting our listeners from indecent content and Howard Stern's show blew right through it," said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. "It was vulgar, offensive, and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency. 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," Hogan said.

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE:CCU - News), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a global leader in the media and entertainment industry with radio and television stations, outdoor advertising displays, and live entertainment venues in 65 countries around the world.