Killing my free speech

[Rudey]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/26/bu...6radio.html?hp

I am so angry about this. Chicago still picks up Howard Stern but it's been dropped in several cities. I am livid because government resources which come from the taxes of people like myself are not being used to chase down bin laden but instead funds the efforts of Powell in the FCC.

Powell is a frigging Nazi. He is pushing forth along with select members of congress efforts to try and bring back "decency". You know what I have to say about decency? Fuck that. Fuck that and the stooge that you are. Fuck that and fuck congress.

This is a station that people want to listen to. We listen to the advertisers on this program. It's not as if Kitchenaid and Sesame street are advertising here to bring 5 year olds on.

-Rudey
--Send a big middle finger to anyone who can't understand free speech.

[AXJules]

Rudes:
Clear Channel broadcasts on typical radio stations, correct? (Not just internet streams?)

What time do they normally play HS and that Love Sponge guy that got fired? B/c if its past 9 or "decency hours" or whatever....I completely agree with you.

[ztabchbum]

Originally posted by AXJules
Rudes:
Clear Channel broadcasts on typical radio stations, correct? (Not just internet streams?)

What time do they normally play HS and that Love Sponge guy that got fired? B/c if its past 9 or "decency hours" or whatever....I completely agree with you.

Bubba The Love Sponge played on 98 Rock's Morning Show that broadcasts from here in Tampa, FL. His show was also played in CT, other areas of FL, as well as a few other states. The fact is that you can CHANGE THE STATION! As someone who knows MANY people at Clear Channel - most are DJ's - this is really frustrating. I'm sorry but I don't want the gov't telling me what I can and cannot listen to - they already restrict so many of my other freedoms, why this one too?

[ZTAngel]

Bubba Love Sponge had a morning radio show. I think he was on from 6am until 10am. I listened to him almost everyday while driving to work. He really wasn't that bad. I think the reason the FCC is pissed is because Bubba spoke his mind and didn't care what anyone else thought. He had a lot of things to say about the FCC and Clear Channel. He spoke the truth and the FCC hated that.
Any young child would not be listening to his radio show that time of day because either they're in school or they're getting a ride to school from the bus driver or a parent (and in that case the parents should be monitoring what their kids are listening to).

[midwesterngirl]

I am not a Howard Stern fan at all but this is not at all about decency.This is about election PR.
Of the 1000 or so Clear Channel owned stations,his program was removed from only 6.(Orlando,Fort Lauderdale,San Diego,Pittsburgh,Louisville,and Rochester).Most of Howard's shows are broadcast by Infinity.This is not a big revenue loss to Clear Channel and Howard will be picked up by someone else.I have said it before but Lowrey Mays,the CEO of Clear Channel,is a longtime Bush friend and major campaign supporter.I suspect that this is nothing more than an attempt to court moral majority type voters.


On weds show,he told his listeners that "it is time for Bush to go." He complained about Bush stanch on gay marriage and the time Bush may or may not have spent in the national guard.Howard told his listeners to really look at what Bush and company have been saying in comparison to what they are doing and to get out and vote.

The next day he is pulled from the air on all Clear Channel stations.
I don't know what else it could be besides politically motivated.

[PhiPsiRuss]

He's on at a time of the day when children should be supervised by parents, or in school.

This is totally about election PR, and pandering to a group of people who have the need to control others.

So much for the 1st ammendment.

[AXJules]

Am I the only person whose mother would change the station while driving me to school when the dj's starting talking about sex??! Sorry, but they were on an ADULT CONTEMPORARY station, and music played was vulgar anyway. My point- I learned from my mother what was acceptable and what wasn't.;

Your kids should be in school or supervised. If you let them listen to rap or whatever, honestly what the djs have to say is not any different.

[WCUgirl]

Originally posted by ZTAngel
Bubba Love Sponge had a morning radio show. I think he was on from 6am until 10am. I listened to him almost everyday while driving to work. He really wasn't that bad. I think the reason the FCC is pissed is because Bubba spoke his mind and didn't care what anyone else thought. He had a lot of things to say about the FCC and Clear Channel. He spoke the truth and the FCC hated that.
Any young child would not be listening to his radio show that time of day because either they're in school or they're getting a ride to school from the bus driver or a parent (and in that case the parents should be monitoring what their kids are listening to).

Well...that's sort of true and sort of not. I listened to Bubba when I was in 8th grade getting ready for and going to school in the mornings. That was back when he was on 93.3. He got worse when he moved to 98 Rock. We got a ride to school with my friend's older brother, who of course listened to his show. And kids had walkmans (illegally) at school in the mornings so they were listening to it on the bus on the way there or while they were waiting for homeroom to begin. So really, the young kids can and are hearing it.

However, I'm not saying this is wrong or that I have any thing against him or Howard Stern. In fact, this is one issue on which I'm in complete agreeance with Rudey. It's just the nature of his show - you know he's going to say something that is crass so if you don't want the FCC to crack down on your station, don't broadcast the show! But then don't wonder why you don't have any listeners.

I think the FCC is freaking out over nothing. So that's really where the issue is. Howard Stern has been on for years - in fact, I bet he considers FCC fines part of his overhead costs. Obviously people want to hear it - so it can't be that bad. If the FCC and Powell or whoever is so considered with brining back "decency" I think they're looking in the wrong places.

[ztabchbum]

Just to clarify - Bubba did NOT get fired soley because of what is going on with the FCC. He ended up getting fired because he changed his political views and the big dog at Clear Channel didn't like that he wasn't backing the republican party anymore. Short story version of all the recent Clear Channel BS here in Tampa, FL.

[Kevin]

I'll take a nation full of moral equivalency and tolerance any day over this current inquisition of popular culture that is occuring right now.

Seriously, what gives these people the right to decide what is "decent"? Whose standards are they going on here? I didn't hear about any change in the law. Howard Stern as he said was doing nothing on his show that he hasn't done for the past 20 years. So what the hell gives?

This moral inquisition is really getting on my nerves.

I'm considering for the first time in my life a vote for a Democratic presidential candidate because of this crap. The religious right has seemingly taken over the conservative agenda and it really pisses me off. 4 years ago, I had thought the Bush administration to be one with a true conservative agenda when it came to education, taxes, etc.. Now when it comes to pushing forward the religious agenda... I mean, why the hell would they do that? It's not like they have to prove anything to these folks.. They're solid Republican votes anyhow.

This election makes me feel like I have a choice between electing Karl Marx or the Christian Taliban.

[PhiPsiRuss]

I've supported the efforts to allow for greater deregulation of ownership regulations, but now I'm reconsidering the breadth, and scope of these proposals.

The naked political motivation of the CEO of Clear Channel is alarming.

[breathesgelatin]

Now, this isn't a very well-investigated statement on my part, but everything I've read and heard about Clear Channel entertainment leads me to think it's an evil, evil, evil, censoring place.

[ztabchbum]

Just another FYI about Clear Channel - it seems as if they're doing some MAJOR restructuring on how the DJ's do their jobs.
Clear Channel's new policies
Clear Channel Imposes Strict New Standards For Broadcast Decency

Company announces ‘Responsible Broadcasting Initiative’

San Antonio, TX (February 25, 2004) – Clear Channel today announced a strong new “Responsible Broadcasting Initiative” to make sure the material aired by its radio stations conforms to the standards and sensibilities of the local communities they serve.

“Clear Channel is serious about helping address the rising tide of indecency on the airwaves,” said Mark Mays, President and COO of Clear Channel Communications. “As broadcast licensees, we are fully responsible for what our stations air, and we intend to make sure all our DJs and programmers understand what is and what is not appropriate on Clear Channel radio shows.”

Mays said the company will institute a zero tolerance policy for indecent content which will include company-wide training and automatic suspensions for anyone that the FCC alleges has
violated indecency rules on the air. “If the FCC accuses us of wrongdoing by issuing a proposed fine, we will take immediate
action,” Mays said. “We will suspend the DJ in question, and perform a swift investigation. If we or the government ultimately determine the offending broadcast is indecent, the DJ will be
terminated without delay,” Mays said.

John Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Radio addded, “If a DJ is found to be in violation of FCC rules, there will be no appeals and no intermediate steps. If they break the law
by broadcasting indecent material, they will not work for Clear Channel.”

In addition, the company announced that all of its contracts with on-air performers are being modified to ensure that DJs share financial responsibility if they utter indecent material on the
air. “From now on, every contract that Clear Channel enters into with on-air talent will include this provision,” said Hogan. “While that won’t relieve Clear Channel from our responsibility as a
broadcast licensee, we believe it will have a significant deterrent effect on indecent content.”

Contact:

Lisa Dollinger
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
San Antonio, TX
210-822-2828
LisaDollinger@clearchannel.com

Andrew Levin
Executive Vice President
Law and Government Affairs
Washington, DC
202-289-3230
AndyLevin@clearchannel.com

[33girl]

Is anyone else amused that a company that has homogenized radio and kept many valid artists from getting airplay complaining about "decency"? If the way CC conducts business isn't indecent, I don't know what is.

It's kinda like Taco Hell criticizing Ruth's Chris Steak House for using substandard cuts of meat.

[Rudey]

I emailed whomever I could today to say how upset I am. I feel exactly like ktsnake here. I want a damn normal government that can crush the shiznit out of terrorist worms but still be freaking normal at home and keep their bibles and decisions on morality in the private sector. I don't believe that this is completely done in the private sector because I know that the FCC has been rampaging around and Powell is trying to make his name - election time is evidently the best time to make your name.

-Rudey
--Stupid retards