So what?
I'm sure there have been plenty of violent sex and rape scenes aired over pay cable TV. Why is anyone surprised the same might air on subscription Satellite Radio?
There are no laws in this country against being crude and there are especially no laws about being vulgar on Satellite Radio - yet.
Subscribe to a package of premium channels on your local cable system and you will have ample opportunities, should you wish, to view and hear various forms of entertainment which are crass, vile, profane, vulgar, obscene, tasteless, violent, etc.
Pay programming is not subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission - and thank the Lord for that! Satellite Radio, as Internet Radio, is absolutely free of any governmental encumbrance.
Satellite Radio is not traditional over-the-air broadcasting that can be listened to by just anyone. Subscribers PAY a fee for the privilege of listening.
Parental Controls
And just in case an adult who subscribes has any worries about a child hearing something inappropriate, XM Satellite Radio provides parental controls which allow users to block channels which "...frequently use explicit language" including the channel which carries the Opie & Anthony Show (202/The Virus).
SIRIUS Satellite Radio warns subscribers that "Some programming may include explicit language. It is your responsibility to impose listening restrictions that you consider appropriate on your family members and guests. We are not responsible for content that you or anyone else may find inappropriate."
In addition, many SIRIUS receivers include built-in parental controls.
Some Free Speech is Just Disgusting
So, if it’s not an issue of breaking any rules or regs from the F.C.C., and it’s not an issue of some poor child hearing a terrible comment, then what IS the issue with people being offended by what many find to be disgusting comments?
The fact that they’re disgusting? Well, too bad! That's the down side of free speech.
Who promised PAY radio must abide by a different standard than Pay cable TV? Just where did this shrieking group of offended people emerge from and quite honestly, why are we paying so much attention to them?
The First Amendment exists to protect the UNPOPULAR speech, not the speech which offends few. The latter doesn’t need much protection and the Founding Fathers understood that.
Censure vs. Censor
You don’t have to like what someone says and you certainly have the right to protest it. But, just because someone says something you find offensive doesn’t mean they should have never said it, should have to apologize for it, or should even get fired for it.
You have a right to try and censure them, but you have no right to try and censor them.
Let’s all get a grip and remember that none of us can stop everyone from saying things we don’t want to hear. God help this country if we every succeed in that.
Satellite Radio is a private service which subscribers pay for. And they get what they pay for - no matter how vile it may appear to non-subscribers.
