The Clear Channel Controversy, One Year On

[OneBlueSky]

(Why Howard Stern’s Woes Are Your Woes, Too)

by Maureen Farrell
buzzflash.com
March 23, 2004

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/03/far04009.html

(snip)

Though plenty of journalists have pooh-poohed Stern’s concerns, anyone who’s been paying attention knows how accurate his assessments are. When Clear Channel president John Hogan appeared before members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he openly admitted that though Stern had not committed any fresh sins, the company decided to drop him anyway.

(snip)

Arbitrary indecency standards aside, the stakes are much higher than tiffs between disc jockeys and radio behemoths. Given that the House recently voted 391-22 to pass a bill to increase indecency fines from $27,000 to $500,000 -- and the Senate is poised to follow – the First Amendment is literally at risk. "Congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press," the First Amendment reads, but given that those hefty fines will be extended to licensees and radio personalities alike (with a cap of $3 million a day) "free speech" could become extremely expensive – especially since "indecency," it seems, is whatever Michael Powell deems it to be.

(snip)

"There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear, but a good guess is that we're now seeing the next stage in the evolution of a new American oligarchy," the New York Times’ Paul Krugman wrote of Bush/Clear Channel improprieties. "When one company dominates an industry, it can leverage its monopoly power in all kinds of unpleasant ways, both politically and economically, " Salon.com’s Eric Boehlert warned, while reporting on "Clear Channel’s big stinking deregulation mess."

(snip)

And while concentration camp survivor Pastor Martin Niemöller’s observations have been misquoted and abused too often, his warnings nevertheless ring true today. First they came for the shock jocks. God only knows who’ll be next.

- much more . . .

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/03/far04009.html

[Seldona]

1. Unbelievable.

Hwaven't those offended by Stern learned that the radio has MORE THAN ONE STATION?

I for one cannot stand Stern, but it is his right to say what he does.

And if he turns out to be the guy that winds up fighting this insanity I will maybe have to rethink my position on him.

And for that matter, who decided the right to free speech in this country is applicable everywhere but the airwaves anyway?

I can tell you one thing, if these psycos get there way and there is nothing to watch but touched by an angel I am going to be the friggen snapping.

Tune in your dials to Rush or whatever other nonsense you listen to, and avoid the stations you do not like.

It is that simple.

[Ricdude]

2. hmm.

And if he turns out to be the guy that winds up fighting this insanity I will maybe have to rethink my position on him.

Reminds me of Ice-T/Body Count 12 years ago. People were all over "Cop Killer" (narrator seeks revenge against racist cops), but no one seemed to have a problem with "I Shot the Sheriff" (narrator shoots sheriff when questioned about his marijuana patch). It's entertainment, and it kind of stinks that there's where the battle defending the first amendent leads, but I'd rather we err on the side of too much to listen to that too little.

As for Stern, it's truly frightening when Rush Limbaugh has his back...

[klook]

3. Clear Channel donations: 80% to Republicans

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Clear Channel has donated more money than any other TV/radio organization this election cycle, 80% of it going to the Republican party and its candidates.

Incidentally, Viacom (also a syndicator of Howard Stern's show) contributed far less than Clear Channel, but 95% of their contributions went to Dems.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. Viacom's CEO Sumner Redstone is known for his Democratic leanings.

[gulfcoastliberal]

4. Hate to Say it, But this is Clinton's Fault

1996 Telecom Act deregulated radio, and clear channel/cumulus media were born - and became the monsters they are today by gobbling up thousands of previosuly independent stations. The Telecom Act also gave away digital spectrum to coporations worth bilions of dollars for free. What a great deal that turned out to be.