WASHINGTON--Howard Stern, America's most famous "shock jock," has been permanently dropped from the six radio stations operated by Clear Channel Communications, according to CNS News.
The decision came after federal regulators proposed a fine of $495,000 for indecency, related to Stern's morning talk show on Clear Channel stations, which often involves explicit discussion about sex.
Clear Channel had suspended Stern's broadcast in February but made the permanent move after the Federal Communications Commission proposed charges to the company for 18 alleged violations - all related to Stern's April 9, 2003, show.
The six radio stations affected are in Ft. Lauderdale and Cocoa Beach, Fla., Louisville, Ky., Honeoye Falls, N.Y., San Diego and Pittsburgh.
"Mr. Stern's show has created a great liability for us and other broadcasters who air it," John Hogan, president of Clear Channel Radio, said. "The Congress and the FCC are even beginning to look at revoking station licenses. That's a risk we're just not willing to take."
Stern, commenting about Clear Channel's decision, said it marked the continuation of the Bush administration's "witch hunt" against him.
"It is pretty shocking that governmental interference into our rights and free speech takes place in the U.S.," Stern stated on his Web site. "It's hard to reconcile this with the 'land of the free' and the 'home of the brave.'"
Stern's show is also causing problems for Infinity Broadcasting. Last month, the FCC proposed fining Infinity $27,500 for a show broadcast on a Detroit radio station July 26, 2001, in which Stern talked about sexual practices and techniques.
Infinity paid $1.7 million in 1995 to settle various broadcast violations by Stern.
The famous jock claims he's being punished for his criticism of President Bush. "You've got to vote Bush out to send a message as a Howard Stern fan," Stern said on the air recently. "There's a cultural war going on. The religious right is winning. We're losing."
But the Parents Television Council praised the FCC's ruling. "Stern is a repeat offender of the most commonsense decency standards and we welcome the news that the FCC is moving to combat these patently indecent shows," said L. Brent Bozell III, the group's president. Bozell is also president of CNSNews.com.
