Howard Stern Is off The Air- Shock Jock's Radio Career May Soon Be Finished - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenya · 04-08-2004, 06:40 PM

Howard Stern Is off The Air
Clear Channel Drops Stern on FCC Threat, Shock Jock's Radio Career May Soon Be Finished

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thursday April 08, 2004

WASHINGTON - Federal regulators Thursday proposed $495,000 in indecency fines against Clear Channel Communications for broadcasts by Howard Stern, prompting the nation's largest radio chain to drop the country's best-known shock jock.

Clear Channel suspended Stern in February from its six stations that carry his program, which regularly features graphic sexual discussion and humor. It decided to make the move permanent after the Federal Communications Commission cited the chain for 18 alleged violations from Stern's April 9, 2003, show.

"Mr. Stern's show has created a great liability for us and other broadcasters who air it," said John Hogan, president of Clear Channel Radio. "The Congress and the FCC are even beginning to look at revoking station licenses. That's a risk we're just not willing to take."

In a statement posted on his Web site, Stern said he was not surprised by the fine. He characterized it as furtherance of a "witch hunt" against him by the Bush administration.

"It is pretty shocking that governmental interference into our rights and free speech takes place in the U.S.," he said. "It's hard to reconcile this with the 'land of the free' and the 'home of the brave.'"

The FCC investigation was prompted by a listener in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who complained about a Stern program that included discussion of sex accompanied by flatulence sounds.

Federal law bars radio stations and over-the-air television channels from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in. The rules do not apply to cable and satellite channels or satellite radio.

The FCC imposed the maximum fine of $27,500 for each of 18 violations on six Clear Channel stations: WBGG in Fort Lauderdale; WTKS-FM in Cocoa Beach, Fla.; WTFX-FM in Louisville, Ky.; KIOZ in San Diego; WNVE in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; and WSDS-FM in Pittsburgh.

The FCC fined each station for two specific incidents during a single program, the first time the commission has done so. Previously, the FCC levied fines for an entire program, no matter how many different indecent utterances occurred.

Commissioner Michael Copps, who usually dissents from indecency decisions because he says the penalties aren't strong enough, was part of a unanimous commission this time.

"I have long advocated that the commission use all of the tools it has to tackle indecency on the public airwaves," he said. "Today's decision is a step forward towards imposing meaningful fines."

Last month, the FCC proposed fining Stern's employer, Infinity Broadcasting, $27,500 for a Stern show broadcast July 26, 2001, on WKRK-FM in Detroit. The show featured discussions about sexual practices and techniques.

Infinity paid $1.7 million in 1995 to settle various violations by Stern. The Center for Public Integrity, a watchdog group, said fines against Stern accounted for almost half of the $4 million in penalties proposed by the FCC since 1990.

Stern has charged on the air that he's being punished for his criticism of President Bush. Clear Channel's political action committee and its employees have given $265,800 to Republicans for the 2004 election, more than any other broadcaster, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group.

"You've got to vote Bush out to send a message as a Howard Stern fan," Stern said during one recent broadcast. "There's a cultural war going on. The religious right is winning. We're losing."

A conservative advocacy group, the Parents Television Council, applauded the FCC's decision.

"Stern is a repeat offender of the most commonsense decency standards and we welcome the news that the FCC is moving to combat these patently indecent shows," said L. Brent Bozell III, the group's president.

Brian · 04-08-2004, 06:45 PM

For Stern fans this is bad. I never listened to him much but I thought his show was funny when I listened to it. I think his show was dropped here in San Diego a couple of months ago. But if his radio career is finished, there's always a career in TV but who knows.

Mr. Television · 04-08-2004, 06:53 PM

I won't miss him.

Jenya · 04-08-2004, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian
For Stern fans this is bad. I never listened to him much but I thought his show was funny when I listened to it. I think his show was dropped here in San Diego a couple of months ago. But if his radio career is finished, there's always a career in TV but who knows.

Infinity Broadcasting will still air the show for now. He is currently broadcasting on 35 radio stations with them. But that may change soon as well. We'll see how long he'll last.

AKA · 04-08-2004, 08:07 PM

Statement from Howard:

This is not a surprise. This is a follow up to the McCarthy type "witch hunt" of the administration and the activities of this group of presidential appointees in the FCC, led by "Colin Powell Jr." and his band of players. They and others (a senator from Kansas City to a congresswoman from New Mexico) are expressing and imposing their opinions and rights to tell us all who and what we may listen to and watch and how we should think about our lives. So this is not a surprise. It is pretty shocking that governmental interference into our rights and free speech takes place in the U.S. It's hard to reconcile this with the "land of the free" and the "home of the brave". I'm sure what's next is the removal of "dirty pictures" like the 20th century German exhibit in a New York City Museum and the erotic literature in our libraries; they too will fall into their category of "evil" as well. --Howard Stern, April 8th 2004

Brian Damage · 04-08-2004, 08:20 PM

Howard isn't going anywhere. Clear Channel is Infinity's rival. Infinity is the company that I along with Howard are employed by.

FamilyTiesGOP · 04-08-2004, 08:20 PM

Stern got what was coming to him. It is not like he has never been controversial before. ClearChannel cannot be fined all the time just so he can have his vulgar freedom of speech. A line has got to be drawn somewhere. Stern was vulgar and controversial before this thing with Janet Jackson ever got started. Go ClearChannel.

Now if Infinity will step up, it will be great.

MandieR1980 · 04-08-2004, 08:22 PM

Don't let the door hit you on your a$$ on the way out!

spunkygirl · 04-08-2004, 08:31 PM

Long overdue! Yes he was vulgar long before Janet pulled her little stunt, but he can think her for the FCC cracking down!

I love it!

Finally someone grew a brain, and is getting rid of the radio trash

spunkygirl · 04-08-2004, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MandieR1980
Don't let the door hit you on your a$$ on the way out!

Jenya · 04-08-2004, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Topanga
Long overdue! Yes he was vulgar long before Janet pulled her little stunt, but he can think her for the FCC cracking down!

I love it! Finally someone grew a brain, and is getting rid of the radio trash

There is a radio station here in Montréal that airs that "Gangsta Rap" after 10:00PM on Fridays and Saturdays. All of that music is unedited. Every filthy vulgar word can be clearly heard on this station. Several people complained about their format, but according to the CRTC, I guess they are allowed to air it after a certain time. I forget the name of the radio station. I don't listen to Hip-Hop or Rap.

MonarC · 04-08-2004, 09:31 PM

It's about time!!!!

ClassicComedyFan2 · 04-08-2004, 10:18 PM

Howard Stern is a crude punk. And, his show is useless. It's about time he got canned!

theshark8777 · 04-08-2004, 11:12 PM

I don't really care for Howard Stern's radio program, but I am against censorship which is what this is really all about now. Howard Stern has been on the air for what 20 years now? All of the sudden he's obscene, I don't think he's changed in the last 20 years. Why now decide he's too crude for radio or whatever. Michael Powell must go.

AKA · 04-08-2004, 11:26 PM

Just reiterating what Brian and Jenya both have said in this thread, because some of you still seem to think he's been fired and/or his show's been cancelled. Howard's show is still on the air. It's just been dropped by ClearChannel Communications stations, which, as far as I recall, is six markets.

04-08-2004, 06:40 PM	#1
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Howard Stern Is off The Air- Shock Jock's Radio Career May Soon Be Finished Howard Stern Is off The Air Clear Channel Drops Stern on FCC Threat, Shock Jock's Radio Career May Soon Be Finished ASSOCIATED PRESS Thursday April 08, 2004 WASHINGTON - Federal regulators Thursday proposed $495,000 in indecency fines against Clear Channel Communications for broadcasts by Howard Stern, prompting the nation's largest radio chain to drop the country's best-known shock jock. Clear Channel suspended Stern in February from its six stations that carry his program, which regularly features graphic sexual discussion and humor. It decided to make the move permanent after the Federal Communications Commission cited the chain for 18 alleged violations from Stern's April 9, 2003, show. "Mr. Stern's show has created a great liability for us and other broadcasters who air it," said John Hogan, president of Clear Channel Radio. "The Congress and the FCC are even beginning to look at revoking station licenses. That's a risk we're just not willing to take." In a statement posted on his Web site, Stern said he was not surprised by the fine. He characterized it as furtherance of a "witch hunt" against him by the Bush administration. "It is pretty shocking that governmental interference into our rights and free speech takes place in the U.S.," he said. "It's hard to reconcile this with the 'land of the free' and the 'home of the brave.'" The FCC investigation was prompted by a listener in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who complained about a Stern program that included discussion of sex accompanied by flatulence sounds. Federal law bars radio stations and over-the-air television channels from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in. The rules do not apply to cable and satellite channels or satellite radio. The FCC imposed the maximum fine of $27,500 for each of 18 violations on six Clear Channel stations: WBGG in Fort Lauderdale; WTKS-FM in Cocoa Beach, Fla.; WTFX-FM in Louisville, Ky.; KIOZ in San Diego; WNVE in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; and WSDS-FM in Pittsburgh. The FCC fined each station for two specific incidents during a single program, the first time the commission has done so. Previously, the FCC levied fines for an entire program, no matter how many different indecent utterances occurred. Commissioner Michael Copps, who usually dissents from indecency decisions because he says the penalties aren't strong enough, was part of a unanimous commission this time. "I have long advocated that the commission use all of the tools it has to tackle indecency on the public airwaves," he said. "Today's decision is a step forward towards imposing meaningful fines." Last month, the FCC proposed fining Stern's employer, Infinity Broadcasting, $27,500 for a Stern show broadcast July 26, 2001, on WKRK-FM in Detroit. The show featured discussions about sexual practices and techniques. Infinity paid $1.7 million in 1995 to settle various violations by Stern. The Center for Public Integrity, a watchdog group, said fines against Stern accounted for almost half of the $4 million in penalties proposed by the FCC since 1990. Stern has charged on the air that he's being punished for his criticism of President Bush. Clear Channel's political action committee and its employees have given $265,800 to Republicans for the 2004 election, more than any other broadcaster, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group. "You've got to vote Bush out to send a message as a Howard Stern fan," Stern said during one recent broadcast. "There's a cultural war going on. The religious right is winning. We're losing." A conservative advocacy group, the Parents Television Council, applauded the FCC's decision. "Stern is a repeat offender of the most commonsense decency standards and we welcome the news that the FCC is moving to combat these patently indecent shows," said L. Brent Bozell III, the group's president.
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04-08-2004, 06:53 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I won't miss him.
	__________________ Sonny

04-08-2004, 08:22 PM	#8
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	Don't let the door hit you on your a$$ on the way out!
	__________________ Mandie myspace.com/mlr930

04-08-2004, 10:18 PM	#13
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	Howard Stern is a crude punk. And, his show is useless. It's about time he got canned!
	__________________ The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown Optimism is the foundation of courage. ~Nicholas Murray Butler Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ John Cassis ~

04-08-2004, 11:12 PM	#14
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	I don't really care for Howard Stern's radio program, but I am against censorship which is what this is really all about now. Howard Stern has been on the air for what 20 years now? All of the sudden he's obscene, I don't think he's changed in the last 20 years. Why now decide he's too crude for radio or whatever. Michael Powell must go.
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

04-08-2004, 06:45 PM	#2
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	For Stern fans this is bad. I never listened to him much but I thought his show was funny when I listened to it. I think his show was dropped here in San Diego a couple of months ago. But if his radio career is finished, there's always a career in TV but who knows.

04-08-2004, 08:07 PM	#5
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Statement from Howard: This is not a surprise. This is a follow up to the McCarthy type "witch hunt" of the administration and the activities of this group of presidential appointees in the FCC, led by "Colin Powell Jr." and his band of players. They and others (a senator from Kansas City to a congresswoman from New Mexico) are expressing and imposing their opinions and rights to tell us all who and what we may listen to and watch and how we should think about our lives. So this is not a surprise. It is pretty shocking that governmental interference into our rights and free speech takes place in the U.S. It's hard to reconcile this with the "land of the free" and the "home of the brave". I'm sure what's next is the removal of "dirty pictures" like the 20th century German exhibit in a New York City Museum and the erotic literature in our libraries; they too will fall into their category of "evil" as well. --Howard Stern, April 8th 2004

04-08-2004, 08:20 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Howard isn't going anywhere. Clear Channel is Infinity's rival. Infinity is the company that I along with Howard are employed by.

04-08-2004, 08:20 PM	#7
FamilyTiesGOP _ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 1,631	Stern got what was coming to him. It is not like he has never been controversial before. ClearChannel cannot be fined all the time just so he can have his vulgar freedom of speech. A line has got to be drawn somewhere. Stern was vulgar and controversial before this thing with Janet Jackson ever got started. Go ClearChannel. Now if Infinity will step up, it will be great.

04-08-2004, 08:31 PM	#9
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Long overdue! Yes he was vulgar long before Janet pulled her little stunt, but he can think her for the FCC cracking down! I love it! Finally someone grew a brain, and is getting rid of the radio trash

04-08-2004, 09:31 PM	#12
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	It's about time!!!!

04-08-2004, 11:26 PM	#15
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Just reiterating what Brian and Jenya both have said in this thread, because some of you still seem to think he's been fired and/or his show's been cancelled. Howard's show is still on the air. It's just been dropped by ClearChannel Communications stations, which, as far as I recall, is six markets.