Radio Giant In Record Indecency Settlement (Stern in Clear)

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Wednesday, June 9, 2004; Page A01

The Federal Communications Commission has reached a record-setting, nearly $2 million settlement with Clear Channel Communications Inc. that would clear the radio giant of all charges of indecency lodged against it, including on-air remarks made by shock jock Howard Stern, according to government and radio industry sources.

Stern was the cause of the previous record settlement between the FCC and a radio company. In 1995, Viacom Inc.-owned Infinity Broadcasting, which syndicates Stern's show in 35 cities, including Washington, paid the FCC $1.7 million to wipe away indecency charges against the popular host. Clear Channel dropped Stern's show from six stations in February.

The deal, which could be announced as early as today, is the result of months of negotiations between the FCC and Clear Channel, the nation's largest radio company, with more than 1,250 stations, according to the sources, who declined to be identified because the details of the agreement have not been finalized.

Perhaps most important, one source said, the deal would cover not only Clear Channel's outstanding fines but also dozens of listener complaints in the FCC's indecency pipeline that have not been ruled on. If those complaints were to result in fines, they could cost the radio company millions.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26431-2004Jun8.html