FCC Plans New Round of Indecency Fines Targeting Broadcasters, Stern

[Snellius]

NEW YORK -- Amid a widening and increasingly politicized campaign to clean up the nation's airwaves, regulators are proposing fines against many of the nation's major radio companies for carrying well-known "shock jocks," Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) officials told The Wall Street Journal.

About a dozen cases are being finalized, these officials said, and one target is Howard Stern, one of the nation's most popular and controversial radio hosts. The FCC (news - web sites) is deciding on penalties against his employer, Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA - News)'s Infinity Broadcasting. Also facing further scrutiny are Emmis Communications Inc. and Clear Channel Communications Inc. (NYSE:CCU - News) , the nation's largest radio owner, which last week took Mr. Stern's show off six of its radio stations and fired a controversial -- and oft-fined -- Tampa, Fla., radio host, Todd Clem, known as "Bubba the Love Sponge."

Bowing to public pressure, the agency also plans to reverse its earlier finding that singer Bono's use of a vulgarity on live television during the 2003 Golden Globes broadcast wasn't indecent, possibly as soon as next week, officials said. However, it won't impose what could have been a multimillion- dollar fine against General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE - News)'s NBC network, which carried the event, or its affiliates.
...
Feeding the push is an increasingly charged, and polarized, political atmosphere in which cultural issues such as obscenity and gay marriage have become hot topics as the general election campaign heats up. Lawmakers of both parties have been implicitly and in some cases openly threatening legislative action if regulators don't step up their enforcement of existing decency standards.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=808&u=/dowjones/20040305/bs_dowjones/200403050405000148&printer=1

[NashVegas]

1. The Biggest Crock of Shit

If they have finally decided Butt Bongo and other such fascinations are to go away, well fine. But let's stop it with the retroactive bullshit. The FCC did nothing to discourage shock jocks for 20 years, you reap what you sow.

[trumad]

2. Whaaa...there not going after GE...

:eyes:

[NashVegas]

7. Pisses Me Off Like You Wouldn't Believe

If it weren't for the deregulation the FCC, the White House and Congress fully endorsed for the last twenty years, radio (and other media) would consist of tons of independent, non-stock-driven companies without the deep pockets that have been used to ward off fines and other suits over the years - and challenged the air staff to be creative without crossing the line.

[madrchsod]

3. how much money

are they going to fine laura i for her little ditty on the airway?

[Khephra]

4. I'm getting so fucking sick of the puritans in this country

The Puritans -- the only group so annoying that the English kicked them out.

(paraphrase of a Robin Williams joke)

[Gothic Sponge]

5. No surprise

This administration won't be happy until Stern is off the air or doing a morning Bible show.

[Mountainman]

6. The right is really worried about losing the cultural war

Just think of all the fury unleashed by just one of Janet's breasts. Good thing she wasn't completely topless. The fundies are on a rampage to clean up the air ways. They must feel with gay marriage and exposed boobs we are all headed for hell in a hand basket.