So from what I have gathered today, there seems to be a somewhat drastic change in what is allowable on the radio. Apparently Inifinity broadcasting is cracking down on any language that may be construed as offensive. Infinity owns, among others, WHFS and WJFK. This morning on HFS, there was supposed to be a live contest that ended up having to be taped prior to the show due to potenitally sensitive subject matter. The Don & Mike show airs out of WJFK in Virginia, which admittedly is a typically sophmoric show. In response to these new mandates, they have decided to play music for their show today as opposed to conducting a show which they claim might get them fired. According to Don & Mike, not only can you not use potentially offensive language, but letters that might imply something offensive. For example, "s* my d*" would be a violation. I dunno, interests me in that whatever orders have came down are being adhered to quite strictly already. I can't imagine it is all flap coming from things like Janet Jackson's sweater puppet, but what do I know.
Posted by John at February 20, 2004 03:50 PMVery interesting. I heard some of the flack from the Sports Junkies this morning. They were obviously bitter and careful about everything they were saying. Half of their schtick is "he can go f himself" and "she can suck a nice d" and lots of stuff using the letter itself. I dunno, there are lots of choices on the dial. Lite 102 seems like the place for these sheltered people.
Posted by: Pat at February 20, 2004 04:19 PMWith the help of Janet's sweater puppet (nice term), the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004 is likely to pass. This bill was proposed before the Super Bowl, and already had some weight behind it. All it really does is set a new limit to the maximum fine the FCC is allowed to hand out to a broadcast station. But it's becoming a big deal because of a) the fines are getting set to be 10 times larger than the current fines, and b) the whole Janet thing. So I think Infinity is enforcing their rules now, so the DJs can get used to it by the time it's passed (I think it's still in committee for now)
It is interesting though that this is all of a sudden. I'd heard about this bill, but didn't think it would make a lick of difference. I guess the FCC must have suddenly changed it's attitude due to public opinion.
Posted by: Rick at February 20, 2004 04:33 PMI'll repeat here what Irma's had to listen to untold times by now. What the hell's wrong with our country? Sure, I don't want Alex to here the F-bomb on prime time, but I'd rather her hear that than see some guy got shot in the head or beat with a crow bar. Our country cracks down on langauge and nudity on T.V., but lets stations air violence. Where's the sense in that? And who really cares about seeing Janet Jackson's sweater puppet. Turn to the Discovery channels and you'll see that stuff all day long.
Oh, and since this is somewhat related to censorship- I'm way out of the loop. I never even heard about Abercrombie's new catalog.
Posted by: Fatboy at February 20, 2004 06:49 PMI usually listen to Don & Mike on the way home from work, because I'm sophmoric. But alas, I did hear them talking about the new 'format' they're supposed to follow. The mentioned some good points though, for example, aren't they hired to be sophmoric, degrading, and vile? Isn't this what makes the money for the station, and after all, isn't this what the station wanted them to be, and the ONLY reason they're on the air to begin with? Anyone can spin a Phil Collins or Eurythmics record. I think there's way too much knee-jerk reaction happening here.
Posted by: Nate at February 21, 2004 08:49 AMThanks. It was leftover in my brain from the 80's song quiz.
Posted by: Nate at February 23, 2004 07:55 AM