Stern broadcaster fined record $1.75M

[desdemona]

Clear Channel Communications Inc., the biggest owner of U.S. radio stations, agreed Wednesday to pay a $1.75 million fine to settle indecency complaints related to shock jocks such as Howard Stern.

Clear Channel faces a $1.7M fine due to programs like Howard Stern's.

Published reports have indicated that the fine would be the largest ever leveled by the Federal Communications Commission.

Clear Channel (CCU: up $0.04 to $38.02, Research, Estimates), which has run afoul of indecency limits previously for the antics of disc jockeys, also agreed to take steps to prevent further such incidents.

The San Antonio, Texas-based broadcaster said it would enforce a "responsible broadcasting" plan for at least three years, and act to discipline employees who violate FCC rules in the future.

"It was a tough negotiation, but a fair resolution," Andrew Levin, executive vice president and chief legal officer at Clear Channel, said in a statement.

"We didn't agree that all the complaints were legally indecent, but some clearly crossed the line and for those we have taken full responsibility. No broadcaster has taken stronger steps to ensure its broadcasts comply with the law and we intend to keep it that way."

read the entire article here:

http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/09/news/fortu...dex.htm?cnn=yes

[method77]

interesting CNN poll

[DudeAsInCool]

Hmm...that poll is not a good omen for the Bush Administration :bigsmile: Normally Im against fines, and Im against this one - but Im happy to see Clear Channel eat crow whenever possible because they deserve it

[Bombardier]

Yep, ClearChannel should be hit with as many fines as possible :bigsmile:

Free speech will win! It's a first ammendment right!