More Fallout from Janet Jackson's Boob Exposure

[bejohnson]

Howard Stern program was suspended indefinitely yesterday by Clear Channel Communications yesterday. This is akin to Playboy suspending the publishing of nude Playmate photos. Clear Channel owns over 1200 radio stations in the U.S. and has not been known to consider program content in their programming decisions until yesterday.
Stern, fans angry over suspension
Associated Press
Feb. 26, 2004 01:05 PM


NEW YORK - Suspended by the nation's No. 1 radio conglomerate, Howard Stern grabbed a microphone Thursday morning and ranted. He asked his boss to fire him and complained about censorship.

Then he fielded a call from his girlfriend - to discuss their sexual encounter the night before.

Typical Stern on an atypical day for the shock jock. The self-proclaimed "King of All Media" saw his kingdom shrink as Clear Channel Communications yanked Stern off a half-dozen stations Wednesday over the content of his oft-salacious show.

"They are so afraid of me and what this show represents," Stern told his legion of devoted listeners - those who could still hear him, anyway.

Clear Channel's decision comes at a time of heightened public and political pressure on broadcasters to clean up their act. The uproar started after singer Justin Timberlake exposed Janet Jackson's breast to 90 million viewers during the Super Bowl halftime show, prompting Congress to convene hearings into indecent programming.

Stern's nationally syndicated show appears on more than 40 stations across North America and draws millions of listeners.

Clear Channel yanked Stern from stations in San Diego, Pittsburgh, Rochester, N.Y., Louisville, Ky., and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla. There was no word on whether the suspension was temporary or permanent.

Dedicated Stern fans called his show to vent about tuning in for their morning fix, only to find the shock jock abruptly off the airwaves. The fans were much angrier than Stern, who managed to control his temper while discussing the Clear Channel decision.

"I could blow my stack," Stern said. "I'm trying to be cryptic." But he was more direct in recent shows, blasting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell and Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., of the House Telecommunications Committee.

Infinity Broadcasting, which syndicates Stern's show, declined to comment on the latest flap, said spokesman Dana McClintock. In 1995, the company paid a record $1.7 million fine to the FCC over violations by the Stern show.

Clear Channel's decision on Stern came one day before the head of its radio division, John Hogan, testified before the congressional hearings. Coincidence or not, it seems things are now different around the radio dial.

"The climate has changed at a lot of these stations," said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio. "The weather has gotten considerably colder."

It was Tuesday's Stern show that prompted the Clear Channel decision. The program featured typical fare: Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend hawking his sex tape of the hotel heiress. Two women getting naked after losing a contest.

But it was apparently a call from a listener who used the "n-word" that spurred Hogan's reaction.

It is far from the first firestorm for Stern. He was fired from his college radio station for an offensive bit. And it was his firing from another radio station in 1985 that led to his current slot on WXRK-FM, a gig that changed the voice of radio.

Scores of Stern impersonators have since sprung up, aping (but rarely equaling) his mix of raunch and high ratings. Stern became a one-man conglomerate, with a television show, two best-selling books, a hit move and his own production company.

Through it all, Stern has survived attacks by an army of critics charging that he was racist, sexist, and every other -ist. Now, with Congress taking a long look at broadcast content, Stern has again shifted from his media throne to the hot seat.

"Janet Jackson is now forgotten, and I'm on the front page of every newspaper," Stern complained Thursday morning.

Stern is not the only DJ under fire from Clear Channel for broadcasting raunchy content.

Hogan told members of Congress on Thursday that he was "ashamed" of the "Bubba the Love Sponge" show, which recently brought a $755,000 proposed fine from the FCC for sexually explicit content and other alleged indecency violations. It is believed to be the largest indecency fine in history.

"We were wrong to air that material," Hogan said. "I accept responsibility for our mistake and my company will live with the consequences of its actions."

Clear Channel fired the disc jockey Tuesday.
Looks like the 'Shock Jock' programming and the gross sexual overtone programming may have to be toned down.

Some of the more ridiculous TV shows like 'Jerry Springer', 'Elimidate' and 'Fifth Wheel' may be next. The FCC is considering increasing the maximum fine for violating the decency rules from $27,500 to $275,000 per station per occurrence.

Should the owners of the broadcast stations consider the community standards of the communities they serve in programming material such as Stern and Springer and should the FCC be cracking down as hard as they say they are going to.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled many years ago in the case over George Carlin's 'Seven Dirty Words' that the FCC and the local communities could restrict this type of programming without violating the free speech clause of the 1st Amendment.

What do you guys think.

[Tivon]

I don't think anyone that likes watching Stern would give a dam if the "N-word" was used. I think that is half the point about the Howard Stern show IMHO! Why do we walk on Egg Shells for these people!? So what if there was a TIT on the TUBE for 90-Mill!? You either have those yourself, played with them, strapped them on, payed for them, nursed on one, shared them with friends or got married to a BOOB, A TIT, A Mellon, A PILLOW or anything else you want to call them! If only J.e.s.u.s was a Naked Women we wouldn't have these problems today. http://acns.fsu.edu/~jmaynard/3GM/nonono.gif

Clear Channel Radio SUCKS!
We get less with conglomerate radio!:bomb

[XxFaeryOnFirexX]

I really have to say this but...

**** the FCC

[bejohnson]

Originally posted by XxFaeryOnFirexX
I really have to say this but...

**** the FCC

The FCC enforces only what the congress and the courts mandate. The question is should local community standards dictate what can and cannot be said, The U.S. Supreme court danced around that issue when it ruled that the community standards of Memphis, TN were a legal basis to prosecute several porn stars and the distributors of the porn tapes.

[Sidebinder]

Seriously, they should just get oof the damn censorship of everything. If Janet wants to show her tits, then let her show her tits! :KICK ASS I had that ***** on rewind 8 times the first time I saw it. lol.

[XxFaeryOnFirexX]

I bet all this is about protecting our children. Whatever about protecting our young.... just go and check their temp internet files or something.

[wazman]

I think people are more upset because of the circumstances. Like Janet's boob thing - it happened without warning on national TV. People expect that kind of thing on MTV, but not in the middle of the Super Bowl. It was probably the setting more than the actual boob itself.

[XxFaeryOnFirexX]

Originally posted by wazman
I think people are more upset because of the circumstances. Like Janet's boob thing - it happened without warning on national TV. People expect that kind of thing on MTV, but not in the middle of the Super Bowl. It was probably the setting more than the actual boob itself.

Well.... technically because it was a MTV production they should of expected something outrageous like that to happen so.....

[bejohnson]

Originally posted by XxFaeryOnFirexX
Well.... technically because it was a MTV production they should of expected something outrageous like that to happen so.....

Actually you would expect MTV or anyone producing a show for the Super Bowl or any show that airs when children are present to use professionalism and common sense and not pull a stunt such as that.

The Super Bowl is a show that is intended for all ages and should be produced as such.

As for the topic of this thread, radio stations have been pushing the envelope on what they could air during the prohibited hours of 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Material aired at that time is assumed to be available to children and is supposed to follow the guide lines that establish no blatant adult content during those hours.

I think the stations have been playing with fire and the Super Bowl was the last straw. There will be a lot of public reaction because of that one stupid act.

Everyone forgets that the airwaves belong to the public and the public has the ultimate say so over what is permissible and what is not. The public pressure on congress and the FCC has been tremendous and running 10 to 1 for the FCC to crack down on the adult content. I know that we have gotten many more complaints about "Jerry Springer" and the shows such as "Elimidate and "Fifth Wheel" since the Super Bowl. The general public is POed.

[eire1274]

Originally posted by XxFaeryOnFirexX
I bet all this is about protecting our children. Whatever about protecting our young.... just go and check their temp internet files or something.
Yeah, it's about protecting our children, in a world where we let the TV and mass media raise our kids for us.

I watch up to 4 hours of children's programming a day. Even that, I supervise.

My advice? Lift all of the restrictions. Broadcast what you will, when you will. Networks will govern themselves well enough (especially the kiddie channels) that a few will maintain child appropriate programming. If nothing is restricted, maybe people will start taking notice of watching and listening to what their kids do rather than entrusting the FCC to make these important parenting decisions for them.

[mach250]

I hate this country and I've only lived 20 years :Nope

[eire1274]

I love the country, I just hate all the people here.

[LordVagabond]

Jeeez.... what the hell is wrong with the American nation? Here ya are, the world's biggest superpower, with enough nuclear weapons to wipe out every living human being and every living organism on the face of the earth...


Yet a single bit of titty does more damage to the "American Nation"? yeesh.... -_-

[egarrard]

Personally, I think Clear Channel is a much bigger threat to the public than Howard Stern. Most people realise that Howard plays to the dumbest section of society and just ignore him. They have that choice and make it. Clear Channel is just following a temporary reaction to the SuperBowl. Talk about a knee-jerk reaction.

[imtim83]

Thank you FCC! I hope you make the rules even more strict because all human beings deserve it. You have made my day FCC! Thank You! No offense. Rodney thank you for disabling private messages as well. Thank you so much! That made my day as well. The more strict rules are for human beings the better it is. Now all we need is the off topic forum to be closed. Then that will be the greatest day of history, though I know the chances of that are slim so I don't care if it does or not. If it does thats good if its doesn't thats fine as well.

[ch0g0nda]

Originally posted by imtim83
Thank you FCC! I hope you make the rules even more strict because all human beings deserve it. You have made my day FCC! Thank You! No offense. Rodney thank you for disabling private messages as well. Thank you so much! That made my day as well. The more strict rules are for human beings the better it is. Now all we need is the off topic forum to be closed. Then that will be the greatest day of history, though I know the chances of that are slim so I don't care if it does or not. If it does thats good if its doesn't thats fine as well. You 'sir,' are the jaw-bone of an ass.

[Spec3]

Stern sucks. The sooner he is gone for good the better

[bejohnson]

Originally posted by imtim83
Thank you FCC! I hope you make the rules even more strict because all human beings deserve it. You have made my day FCC! Thank You! No offense. Rodney thank you for disabling private messages as well. Thank you so much! That made my day as well. The more strict rules are for human beings the better it is. Now all we need is the off topic forum to be closed. Then that will be the greatest day of history, though I know the chances of that are slim so I don't care if it does or not. If it does thats good if its doesn't thats fine as well.

Have you read the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights? How about the Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta?

With your line of thinking we should just blow up the planet. Even God, the Supreme Being allows us independent actions and thoughts. That's what makes humans different from the bees or the ants. We are each an individual being. Rules and laws are established to allow us to live together not to force us into a sameness or to control us.

[Scottman]

Originally posted by imtim83
Thank you FCC! I hope you make the rules even more strict because all human beings deserve it. You have made my day FCC! Thank You! No offense. Rodney thank you for disabling private messages as well. Thank you so much! That made my day as well. The more strict rules are for human beings the better it is. Now all we need is the off topic forum to be closed. Then that will be the greatest day of history, though I know the chances of that are slim so I don't care if it does or not. If it does thats good if its doesn't thats fine as well. How would you like it if the FCC or a similar entity started regulating computer speeds? Maybe they could ban overclocking on the grounds that we already have enough processing power, and don't really need any more.

Don't get me wrong here - as a parent of small children, I certainly recognize the need to regulate communications. Personally, I used to get sick of seeing commercials for Buffy the Vampire Slayer with grotesque creatures at 5:00 pm - they used to disturb my little guy, and they would often come on right in the middle of G-rated programming. However, as already stated here - the heavy hand that is being dealt Stern here, is a knee-jerk reaction to recent events. People in control want to make it look like they are taking action. It's all about CYA.

Tim, as for thanking Rodney for closing private messages and wishing for OT to be closed.... Why? Since most of your posts are in Off Topic, where would you post if it was gone? Has anyone hurt you with PM's? I am glad that you are not in a position of power - you seem to think that the whole world should capitulate to your ideas and standards. I am reminded of a phrase from a character in one of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles episodes:

"There are all kinds of ways of life in this world - one is not right, one is not wrong. Understanding others we can accept them and through acceptance comes a peaceful world."

You need to accept that there are other viewpoints - each as valid as your own.

[imtim83]

I have no problem with any kind of people. You name it. Though you ask some human beings about it and they would go all crazy. Then maybe disown their child, not speak to the person, not be their friend anymore, etc. Human beings are mean creatures. No offense. I wouldn't mind if the FCC did that. The more strict rules become the better.

[Scottman]

Originally posted by imtim83
I have no problem with any kind of people. You name it. Though you ask some human beings about it and they would go all crazy. Then maybe disown their child, not speak to the person, not be their friend anymore, etc. Human beings are mean creatures. No offense. I wouldn't mind if the FCC did that. The more strict rules become the better. Just thought I would post a picture of my "mean creatures"...

[imtim83]

No one will ever understand what I am talking about. I tried to explain it but you have to see it for yourself to know. Its not the easiest thing to explain.

[JCYC5]

Originally posted by imtim83
Thank you FCC! I hope you make the rules even more strict because all human beings deserve it. You have made my day FCC! Thank You! No offense. Rodney thank you for disabling private messages as well. Thank you so much! That made my day as well. The more strict rules are for human beings the better it is. Now all we need is the off topic forum to be closed. Then that will be the greatest day of history, though I know the chances of that are slim so I don't care if it does or not. If it does thats good if its doesn't thats fine as well.

If you don't like this place, I do suggest you leave.

[Scottman]

Originally posted by imtim83
No one will ever understand what I am talking about. I tried to explain it but you have to see it for yourself to know. Its not the easiest thing to explain. Perhaps if you could share some personal experiences of how people have been mean to you, we might get your point. The point I am making - and I am pretty confident that most people here "get it", is that even though there are mean people in the world, there are many beautiful human beings here too. For every act of meanness you could describe, I am sure that someone here could counter with a equally significant story of personal kindness.

Case in point: The day after Christine and I got married, we drove three hours to see her Grandmother who was too old to make the trip to the wedding. On our return trip, the transmission died in the car we were driving. We were broken down on the side of the road for less than 5 minutes when a stranger stopped, and gave us a 2-hour ride back home. He drove us right to the door, and refused to take any money for his time or trouble.

There is good in this world Tim. You just have to look for it - and treat others as you would like to be treated.

[imtim83]

Thank You.

[XxFaeryOnFirexX]

Hmmm...

they can regulate what we can or cannot say to some extent but going over that does impede our constitutional right to free speech all, correct?

If I ask... who decides what is appropriate, you'll say the people. But I have a question.... What people? If you say all of us that is not always correct. If you look through history and today you should notice that all politicians use propaganda and promises to get their way into office and many do not do the things they promised. Same goes for our say. We put in our majority vote... but most of the time they don't listen at all.... do they?

Politics is dirty.

and yes, people can be mean.... but not everyone. Do you want me to go through my life experiences before I was adopted??? DO YOU. I'll show you mean people. Not I, but my biological parents.

It is unfortunate that the PM's were removed because we are now cluttering up this thread.

[wazman]

Originally posted by bejohnson
Actually you would expect MTV or anyone producing a show for the Super Bowl or any show that airs when children are present to use professionalism and common sense and not pull a stunt such as that.

The Super Bowl is a show that is intended for all ages and should be produced as such.

As for the topic of this thread, radio stations have been pushing the envelope on what they could air during the prohibited hours of 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Material aired at that time is assumed to be available to children and is supposed to follow the guide lines that establish no blatant adult content during those hours.

I think the stations have been playing with fire and the Super Bowl was the last straw. There will be a lot of public reaction because of that one stupid act.

Everyone forgets that the airwaves belong to the public and the public has the ultimate say so over what is permissible and what is not. The public pressure on congress and the FCC has been tremendous and running 10 to 1 for the FCC to crack down on the adult content. I know that we have gotten many more complaints about "Jerry Springer" and the shows such as "Elimidate and "Fifth Wheel" since the Super Bowl. The general public is POed.

bejohnson hits the nail on the head here. Even though it was MTV, which I don't think any of us would say has much sense about anything.

If it would have happened on MTV, no one would care. But it happened on the Super Bowl, which for many years has been the big spectacle of the football season. I personally don't mind seeing breasts. But I do mind if my child sees them. Any parent who doesn't needs psychological help. Kids should not be seeing that crap on TV.

What I'm saying is that it's not the breast people are mad at. People are mad because they're tired of seeing soft-core pornography being passed off as entertainment and called "Art". It's not art. It's getting away with as much as you can to push the envelope and make yourself look oh so cool to all your friends. It's the same thing that makes college kids do the crazy stuff they do.

Just because you can say or do something does not mean you SHOULD say or do something.