Posted by CoreyY at 207-177-229-244.dsl.redshift.com on February 26, 2004 at 14:21:48:
In Reply to: as much as i hate censorship..... posted by DRD #37 on February 26, 2004 at 14:04:20:
I'm not defending Clear Channel, let me say that right up front...they're the one of the worst examples of catering entertainment to the lowest common denominator and sucking all the originality and variety. That said, they dropped Stern because the FCC threatened them with the largest indecency fine in history. So now Clear Channel is sort of shaking their head at Stern and talking about how indecent shock jocks are a problem and they need to be dealt with. They hired the guy! Stern comes with a reputation for pushing the envelope and ignoring criticism and restrictions from his bosses, their shock and criticism is really insincere.
If you want to nail someone for censorship...look to the FCC. Their the ones who make arbitrary decisions. They'll let some things through without a second though and they'll nail companies for smaller things, it seems sort of random. Clear Channel is just being the typical two faced corporation that tries to captilalize off of racey material, then takes on a puritanical tone when they get criticism for it and hands the blame down to the people who are earning them money.
: .....and as much as I disagree with what they did, they do have that right. They are an independent corporation with the right to censor and prohibit anything and everything they want to. The only real entity that has to adhere to First Amendment rights is the federal government. Since Clear Channel is an independent corporation and they set out the rules of conduct, Stern did do wrong by them and if he can't take the consequences, too bad. This won't exactly be the end of his career, you know.
: Do I agree with censorship placed on a show when it is played at an hour when children will most likely not have access to it? No.
: Do I think Clear Channel had the right to drop Stern for what he did? Yes.