FCC Says Howard Stern Show Is News Program

Yahoo! News ^ | September 9, 2003 | DAVID HO

[Pan_Yans Wife]

When you think about news shows, what comes to mind? There's "Meet the Press." And "Face the Nation." And now, Howard Stern's radio show.

That's right. The Federal Communications Commission ruled Tuesday that Stern's raunchy radio program is a "bona fide news interview" program.

The decision was in response to a request made by New York-based Infinity Broadcasting Operations Inc., which wanted a ruling that its widely syndicated Stern show is a news program and exempt from equal time requirements for political candidates.

The decision will allow Stern to put actor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the air without having to offer time to the scores of other candidates running for governor in California.

Citing a 1984 decision that qualified the "Donahue" talk show for the news exemption, the FCC said there should be room for "less conventional interview formats" to increase coverage of the political process.

"Since the 'Donahue' decision, other news interview programs or segments thereof with unique and innovative format elements, such as the `Sally Jessy Raphael Show,' `Jerry Springer' and `Politically Incorrect,' have qualified for the news interview exemption," the FCC said.

"We expected the commission to rule favorably and we're pleased with the results," said Infinity Broadcasting spokesman Dana McClintock.

Stern, whose show includes regular segments such as the "Wheel of Sex," has clashed with the FCC in the past. In 1995 Infinity Broadcasting agreed to pay a $1.7 million fine to settle a series of indecency charges the agency leveled against the Stern show.

The FCC said the broadcasts involved included graphic discussions of masturbation and child molestation and a segment in which Stern talked about shaving his posterior.

The FCC's latest decision didn't go over well with Andrew Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, a Washington-based media watchdog group.

"Howard Stern isn't 'bona fide' anything," Schwartzman said. He said the decision "mocks that system by equating Howard Stern with Tim Russert," host of NBC's "Meet the Press."

[Psycho_Bunny]

"Howard Stern isn't 'bona fide' anything," Schwartzman said.

Umm..."Bona fide jackass" comes to mind.

Richer than me, of course but a jackass, none-the-less.

[Cicero]

My opinion of Howard Stern is extremely low.

Having said that, I will add that my opinion of the average talking-head TV news reader is even lower. When the political pimps in the news media clean up their act, then they can complain about Howard Stern.

[contessa machiaveli]

it is as much a news program as anything else on the airwaves. robin does a very excellent news summary at the end of each show.
howard rules.

[Deb]

Hey, FCC...show us your tits!!

[John H K]

Keep in mind the audience for Howard Stern, along with the audience for most shock jocks, is likely among the most Republican dominated of anything other than conservative talk radio (as hard as that is for cultural conservatives to understand.)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

...`Sally Jessy Raphael Show,' `Jerry Springer' and `Politically Incorrect,' have qualified for the news interview exemption," the FCC said.

What, no Oprah?

[Mixer]

I have an opinion that I am sure, based on the responses so far, is going to be very unpopular in this thread.

While the raunchy Howard Stern seems to be poineted out most of the time. How many times have you seen how much love Howard Stern has for America. Not much cause the liberal media does not want you to know this. Yes he is raunchy but he always has been and has never tried to beny this. It is for an adult audience that goes way out of hand a lot of times. Keep in mind too that a lot of what he says is an act.

I have heard him discuss serious issues and I have heard him express his love for America. Unless he has me fooled and that is all an act I give him a lot of credit for the stance he has taken for America.

[Mixer]

beny=deny

[Malsua]

You've got that right.

Libs to a man, tend to hate Howard as he generally makes alot of sense. I wouldn't say i'm a big fan, I used to listen alot more in my 20s...He may get an hour a month from me as I'm on breaks from WABC...I may hit Stern.

Robin does a good news bit, but I've not heard it in years since I work early.

[cmsgop]

BABABOUY!

[all4one]

Howard Stern listeners are more likely to be a conservative middle and upper middle class demographic, ages 25-45. Not to mention a captive morning commute (e.g. gainfully employed) audience.

There are many conservative talk radio hosts who often mention being long-time Howard fans. For years Howard has talked about the French and what rats they are. He is more conservative than most would think and always praises our military.

[mhking]

"bona fide news interview" program

???!!!???

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[jmc813]

< Crackhead Bob voice>And now...heaas Rovin Quibbers....wit..... de neeeews.

[cyborg]

oh lord... I met Stuttering John once. He tried to hit on me. I was like...eeeeewwwww.

[thoughtomator]

2 minutes of Howard Stern contains more truth than an entire week of CNN.

[Dog Gone]

The equal time law is garbage anyway. When they pass a law that editorials in newspapers have to be equally balanced, let me know.

A private enterprise, liberal or conservative, should not be regulated as to what or who they display.

[Michael Barnes]

This is hysterical..Not tooooo long ago, Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk shows were labled as "entertainment". Now Stern, who is without doubt an entertainment program is labeled as "News"? Give me a f*cking break..

[Marianne]

Last week (forget what day), prior to today's ruling, Howard announced that he was going to have Arnold as a guest. He gave a rather lengthy introduction, saying he didn't care about the rule where all candidates had to be given equal time, he wanted Arnold on his program and he was just going to do it. However, he did say that just in case he would have to interview all 100+ candidates he would limit the interview to three minutes.
With that Arnold came on the air. The interview was conducted with Howard asking questions about Arnold's views on various subjects. Arnold briefly answered all of them.
When the interview ended Howard then said he would ask his producer what would happen now.
The producer came into the studio and said "That was a very good Arnold impersonator."
Whoever they hired sounded exactly like Arnold. It had me fooled.

[Orange1998]

Please tell me your not a 80 year old grandmother.