In the Media:
Clear Channel Broadcasting Yanks Howard Stern’s Radio Show From Six Cities for “Offensive” Rick Solomon Interview; Bubba the Love Sponge also Pulled from Florida Stations
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake are not the only media targets on the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) hit list. In fact, the fallout from the still-controversial Super Bowl halftime performance must seem more like an avalanche to Clear Channel Broadcasting’s media contingent.
Just yesterday, Clear Channel issued a press release announcing “a strong new “Responsible Broadcasting Initiative†to make sure the material aired by its radio stations conforms to the standards and sensibilities of the local communities they serve.”
Mark Mays, the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, said that “[Clear Channel] will institute a zero tolerance policy for indecent content which will include company-wide training and automatic suspensions for anyone that the FCC alleges has violated indecency rules on the air.”
Reports from Fox TV, CNN and Reuters indicate that Clear Channel has already implemented this zero-tolerance policy by pulling Howard Stern’s nationally syndicated radio program from six radio stations in six different cities across the country, including Rochester, Fort Lauderdale, and San Antonio.
The cause of the controversy stemmed from an interview Stern conducted with Paris Hilton sex tape partner Rick Solomon, where Solomon was asked about having anal sex with The Simple Life star. Further, a transcript from the San Antonio Clear Channel affiliate revealed that one of Stern’s phone callers used racially insensitive language while inquiring about Solomon’s possible exploits with famous African-American stars.
Stern is not the only radio personality to feel Clear Channel’s newfound fury towards indecent material being aired before 10 pm and after 6 am, which is a violation of FCC regulations. According to a report from Reuters, “The action against Stern came a day after Clear Channel fired Florida radio personality ‘Bubba the Love Sponge,’ after federal regulators accused him of airing sexually graphic material on Tampa’s WXTB-FM and three other Florida stations.”
Of course, fans of World Wrestling Entertainment and other wrestling organizations may recall Bubba for his numerous interviews with superstars such as Hulk Hogan and The Rock.
Chris’ Commentary:
I am actually going to hold off on commentary for this week, because I want to know what you think first and foremost. The Super Bowl halftime show has now caused a rift that will be felt throughout all media outlets, and I am wondering what you think about Clear Channel’s (and the FCC’s) newly invigorated mission towards promoting decency, censorship, and new “broadcast standards.”
Feel free to sound off as much as you like on this issue by emailing me at chris411wrestling@yahoo.com. Some of your responses will be posted next week, right here in The Weekly Media Monitor.
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That’s all for now Peace.
-Chris Biscuiti
Chris Biscuiti also writes for 411’s wrestling zone.
