Clear Channel Probe Ongoing - DOJ

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (Reuters)

A Justice Department official told Congress on Thursday that the department is still pursuing two separate antitrust investigations in response to complaints against Clear Channel Communications Inc. (CCU) ---

Pate's comments came in response to complaints by Rep. Howard Berman, a Democrat from California, who said attorneys at the department had failed to follow up on antitrust complaints he referred to them more than a year ago.

``I'm extremely dissatisfied with DOJ's apparent unwillingness to initiate any kind of investigation into these serious allegations,'' Berman said.

Berman formally asked the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission in January 2002 to look into allegations that Clear Channel had abused its market position in a bid to shut out competitors. ---

[salmonhorse]

1. Pixie quit ClearChannel, said, "Fuck'em!"

And I backed her 110% ~

[LifeDuringWartime]

2. omg

PLEASE let this be the end of clear channel...that will be a happy day, indeed!

[AngryWhiteDemocrat]

5. NO!

My paychecks say "Clear Channel" on them.

How about a serious blow to Clear Channel instead of their end?

[joeunderdog]

9. Doubt this will be the end of FearChannel.

Isn't the DOJ a division of ClearChannel? Chimp is in their pocket--why wouldn't the DOJ?

Watch the Arnold movie "Running Man"--spoof of gov/media evolution that more closely resembles the truth than they ever thought it would. There's a line in the movie that says something about the "Department of Justice, Entertainment Division."

[blondeatlast]

3. Their smarmy CEO was on NPR yesterday

telling us how canned radio actually "enhances" the local community and offers more diversity than local radio. No joke--that's pretty much what he said. His spin would put Rummy to shame.

They are going to kill radio if they aren't stopped.

[NJCher]

4. I heard that interview

Yeah, "smarmy!" That's the word. I couldn't believe his rationale for 24/7 crap radio from Clear Channel: that it was a choice between that and no radio at all as there had been so many "struggling" radio stations.

And what did you think of his argument about the Clear Channel rallys? For those of you who didn't hear it, he said that only 12 Clear Channel stations sponsored these rallys. So that's his argument. I thought, what a dummy. He tries to make out that his whole company isn't a right wing spin operation for the far right and he lets 12 stations label him forever as such? Not too bright if you ask me.


Cher

[w4rma]

6. *This* is one way that the DLC should be helping buisness: trust busting

The DLC needs to side with small and medium-sized buisnesses and entrepreneurers against these robber barons.

Good for Rep. Howard Berman!

[MaineDem]

7. Kick

Time to write to congress again.

[bushisanidiot]

8. No Worries. Our Hero Joke Asshcroft Will Git To The Bottom Of This!

and he will make sure justissss is served.

[Aaron]

10. Good to see but I wonder if Berman is on this issue for the RIAA

IIRC he's in good with the MPAA/RIAA/Entertainment Industry. I guess the enemy of my enemy is my friend, or at least he's a Dem, or something like that qualifies.

[AntiCoup2K4]

11. The day John Asscrotch shuts down Clear Channel......

...will be the same day David DuKKKe takes over the Rainbow Coalition.