Small comment today on the FCC. Here's the first of what will likely be way too many fines about ridiculous statements: FCC Fines Howard Stern For "Blumpkin" Discourse - March 19, 2004 As you know from my previous blatherings, I really don't care very much about what people say. But at the same time, you can be fired for any reason whatsoever. HOWEVER, the FCC making a statement about what can and cannot be on the radio does seem a bit absurd to me. Why should my taxes be used to take something that I enjoy off the air?
Clear channel was well within their rights to take Howard Stern off the air. But it is clear that they would not have done so if it had not been for the FCC threatening to take away their options to buy new licenses. To me, this does not quick reach the point of censorship, where people are being ceased from speaking because what they are saying. Mr. Stern can go and say whatever he would like wherever he would like it without being arrested or detained… just not over this particular medium. But it certainly does point to the antiquated-ness of the FCC as a public decency organization. Do we really have so few options today that we can't go look at something else if we don't like what we read or see? I have yet to see a convincing piece of data showing me that Howard Stern or other broadcasters that push the envelope have caused any harm (irreparable or otherwise) to our society. Free markets are so much better for cleaning up this type of thing (if it needs cleaning up at all). With that, I find listening to the on-going discussion on the Howard Stern show to be very interesting, and I’ll certainly be a subscriber to satellite radio when he moves over.
Speaking of which, those ads on the local radio stations about how bad satellite radio is are absolutely HORRIBLE. Who were the ad wizards who came up with that one?
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