February 25, 2004 - Clear Channel removes Howard Stern from 6 of its radio stations for "It was vulgar, offensive and insulting” comments according to Chief Executive, John Hogan.
February 24, 2004 - Bubba The Love Sponge is released from his contract by Clear Channel for sexually explicit content
January 31, 2004 - Janet Jackson exposes her right breast on national TV during the Superbowl halftime concert.
January 27, 2004 - The Federal Communications Commission fined Clear Channel Radio for apparently airing indecent material over several broadcast stations during several days in connection with the “Bubba the Love Sponge” program. The Commission proposed the highest fine the law provides resulting in a $27,500 for each of 26 apparent indecency violations. This $715,000 forfeiture is the highest ever proposed against a broadcast licensee.
October 7, 2003 - The F.C.C. rules Bono’s use of the “F” word as an adjective is not “actionable” by the agency.
January 19, 2003 - Bono uses the “F” word as an adjective on the Golden Globes Awards show.
August 28, 2002 - Infinity Broadcasting fired Opie & Anthony and cancelled their nationally syndicated show which originated from its flagship station, WNEW-FM, New York.
August 26, 2002 - Opie & Anthony are taken off-the-air after airing a stunt where a couple had sex in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Background
After a long-established lackadaisical approach to judging sexually explicit content on Radio, legislators and the Federal Communication Commission have suddenly cracked down on broadcast companies and their programming.
Radio companies are being fined heavily for on-air content deemed unacceptable to the F.C.C. In turn, radio personalities are being fired. The state of Radio is one of fear - with companies afraid of losing licenses and DJs not knowing what is and is no longer acceptable.
Many point to the Janet Jackson Superbowl breast incident as the beginning of this crackdown. But, in reality the seeds of this new Indecency Crusade really began when Opie & Anthony were removed from their syndicated radio show by Infinity Broadcasting.
(Editor's note: I admit using the word "persecution" is biased but being part of the daily army of radio people who work in this industry, I can't help but take a small stand. Therefore, I hope you note that I have dutifully disclosed that.)
