FCC Investigates Stern

Howard Stern may be concluding his broadcast radio career in the red. The FCC received a complaint about a February 2005 broadcast of Stern's program from Miami lawyer Jack Thompson*, who objected to a segment featuring female porn stars golfing with dildos strapped to their foreheads, followed by the women singing "Amazing Grace" with sausages down their throats.

Howard Stern's program on Clear Channel was slapped with a $495,000 indecency fine for a sexual discussion meeting Thompson's disapproval in April of 2003 (click to read the program's transcript, as filed with the FCC). Prior to that, the Howard Stern Show received an indecency fine of $27,500 in 2001 for graphic descriptions of sexual and excretory nature. Frustrated with FCC restrictions and Clear Channel's internal indecency filters, the morning host will move his show to satellite radio on January 1, 2006. More on Stern's indecency evasion here.

Thompson's most recent complaint arrives at a very strategic moment... The backlash resulting from Janet's nipplegate incident in January of 2004 led to an unprecedented influx of FCC complaints last year, followed by the largest issuance of indecency fines on record. This year, we've heard nary a peep out of the FCC concerning indecency. Plenty of warning signals have emerged during these quiet months, however: the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act made waves in the House but quickly vaporized upon reaching the Senate floor, the FCC endured a change in leadership pointed toward tightening indecency standards, and most recently the commission hired a conservative activist as a policy advisor. Will the FCC now resurrect the deflating indecency issue to set the stage for a fine-hike and another crackdown in 2005, using Howard Stern as their whipping-boy?

* Before his battles with Howard Stern, Jack Thompson made enemies with 2Live Crew in 1989, leading the campaign against the album As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which was ultimately deemed obscene by the feds. Ice-T was dropped from the Time Warner label in 1992, following Thompson's anti-"Cop Killer" crusade. More recently, Thompson has railed against violent video games, including Grand Theft Auto, Manhunt, The Sims 2, and Killer 7.

Comments

[Fatherflot]

If he would just stick to calling for the murder of duly-elected leaders of sovereign nations instead of showing dildo golf he'd be fine.

[Listener James from Westwood]

When are we going to have the equivalent of Joseph Welch to stand up to these so-called prudes who deliberately ignore the "off" button on every radio, TV, and computer and presume to dictate what I feel is proper for me or any of my dependents to absorb? Jack Thompson, at long last, have you no sense of indecency?

[JT]

I'm a long time Stern listener and I get disgusted by him periodically. Plus, when I'm driving my kid somewhere, I usually have to stop my kid from hearing that filth.

Fortunately, my radio comes with an "off" button, as well as the ability to change channels.

If he only would stick to slandering parents of armed forces killed in Iraq, or calling for the assassination of foreign leaders, or simply frothing at the mouth screaming "traitor" at everyone who disagrees with the president's failed policies, or perhaps advocating the execution of mentally retarded juveniles, not only would he not have these problems with the FCC, he'd be welcome on Fox News.

Seriously, it's time to call "bullshit" on all the retards who claim America is the most free country while calling for yet more restrictions on freedom. Outside of the truly repressive countries, e.g. China, Myanamar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc, etc, - America rates very poorly in freedom of expression among the "free world". It's an embarrassment. Our libel laws are better than Britain's, we have no religious taxes - these are thin footholds for claims of freedom compared to freedoms enjoyed by residents of those nasty, evil, "liberal" states.

[hibiscusroto]

Jack Thompson could have dedicated his life to any number of noble causes, and yet he has choosen the path of 'pro-censorship stooge'. How sad.

[Chad from Columbus]

I'm with JT. I also listen to Stern on a regular basis. I also have a six year old son. When I have to take him to school I just simply don't turn the radio on until he's been dropped off. What a concept! I, the parent, am deciding what my child can or cannot listen to instead of the government!

But alas, with the letter of inquiry sent out, I found out yesterday that my local station in Columbus, OH is taking him off the air. So I will not be able to listen to him again til he goes on Satellite. (Guess what I want for Christmas)

Keep an eye out, because I bet he is off the air everywhere real soon. Congrats, Jack. Now I don't have to choose what my son can or can't listen too. You've done me a favor and made that choice for me.