Howard Stern vs the FCC
this entry brought to you by radiohead, "the national anthem"
Believe it or not, I like Howard Stern. It's an extremely liberal thing to do right now, to get behind Howard because of his crusade against the FCC and the Bush Administration, and while that's the reason I'm writing this, this isn't just bandwagon jumping. I've never said a bad thing about him. I've always liked Howard. Never been a fan per se, never tuned in on a day-to-day basis. Couldn't even say that I've ever listened to a whole show from beginning to end, because he can grow tiresome. And there's times when, even I, someone who, by his own admittance, is probably one of the most liberal people I know-- even I get disgusted by him and turn the radio station. I won't pay to hear him on Sirius radio. But I have always liked him. Get him on a serious topic, and he cuts through bullshit like a chainsaw. It's what I've liked about him since 1995 when I first heard him. And when he starts talking about lesbians for a whole hour, I turn. Simple as that.
So, I like Howard. Do I think he's disgusting? Yes. Do I think he should be on public radio? To be completely honest, no. No matter what, Howard is HBO-caliber raunchiness, except with no F-bombs. But when you take away all the swears and violence of an average HBO exclusive, it's still too intense for public TV. That's why HBO is there. I think Stern belongs on a pay-for station.
But just because I honestly feel like Howard Stern is a bit too much for public radio doesn't mean I don't know bullshit when I hear it. And the FCC's continual attacks on Stern have been bullshit. Is Howard offensive? Yes. But with the myriad technologies parents have to stop their children from being exposed to offensive media, he hasn't hurt anyone. On the other hand, if you turn your radio dial right now, more than likely it won't be long before you'll hear some hate-filled talk radio show encouraging homophobia, racism, violence, misogyny, condoning ignorance, closed-mindedness, and religious zealousness. And if you don't think the shit that is being said over your radio waves in your town is dangerous, then you've never heard the call-in portions of these shows, where spitting, howling lunatics pledge their devout loyalty to whatever cause the host is trumpetting (you'd be right in saying that Stern also has dangerous, lunatic fans, but when they call the show they are mercilessly made fun of and told that they are crazy-- conservative talk radio, in general, only calls people crazy when they offer a differing viewpoint, and are encouraged no matter how extreme if the caller agrees). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of such radio shows across America, going day by day, molestation free from the FCC, lots of them syndicated in nearly as many cities as Stern is.
I believe in free speech, but I definitely feel that someone, some organization, needs to make sure the public airwaves are not being used for dangerous means. I wouldn't, for example, want some maniac on the radio talking about how homosexuals were the cause of 9/11, or some freaky bitch talking about the assanination of the President (Jerry Fallwell the first one, Anne Coultier the latter). It amazes me, however, what speech is ultimately considered more free than others.
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with love from CRS @ 7:43 PM
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Believe it or not, I like Howard Stern. It's an extremely liberal thing to do right now, to get behind Howard because of his crusade against the FCC and the Bush Administration, and while that's the reason I'm writing this, this isn't just bandwagon jumping. I've never said a bad thing about him. I've always liked Howard. Never been a fan per se, never tuned in on a day-to-day basis. Couldn't even say that I've ever listened to a whole show from beginning to end, because he can grow tiresome. And there's times when, even I, someone who, by his own admittance, is probably one of the most liberal people I know-- even I get disgusted by him and turn the radio station. I won't pay to hear him on Sirius radio. But I have always liked him. Get him on a serious topic, and he cuts through bullshit like a chainsaw. It's what I've liked about him since 1995 when I first heard him. And when he starts talking about lesbians for a whole hour, I turn. Simple as that.
So, I like Howard. Do I think he's disgusting? Yes. Do I think he should be on public radio? To be completely honest, no. No matter what, Howard is HBO-caliber raunchiness, except with no F-bombs. But when you take away all the swears and violence of an average HBO exclusive, it's still too intense for public TV. That's why HBO is there. I think Stern belongs on a pay-for station.
But just because I honestly feel like Howard Stern is a bit too much for public radio doesn't mean I don't know bullshit when I hear it. And the FCC's continual attacks on Stern have been bullshit. Is Howard offensive? Yes. But with the myriad technologies parents have to stop their children from being exposed to offensive media, he hasn't hurt anyone. On the other hand, if you turn your radio dial right now, more than likely it won't be long before you'll hear some hate-filled talk radio show encouraging homophobia, racism, violence, misogyny, condoning ignorance, closed-mindedness, and religious zealousness. And if you don't think the shit that is being said over your radio waves in your town is dangerous, then you've never heard the call-in portions of these shows, where spitting, howling lunatics pledge their devout loyalty to whatever cause the host is trumpetting (you'd be right in saying that Stern also has dangerous, lunatic fans, but when they call the show they are mercilessly made fun of and told that they are crazy-- conservative talk radio, in general, only calls people crazy when they offer a differing viewpoint, and are encouraged no matter how extreme if the caller agrees). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of such radio shows across America, going day by day, molestation free from the FCC, lots of them syndicated in nearly as many cities as Stern is.
I believe in free speech, but I definitely feel that someone, some organization, needs to make sure the public airwaves are not being used for dangerous means. I wouldn't, for example, want some maniac on the radio talking about how homosexuals were the cause of 9/11, or some freaky bitch talking about the assanination of the President (Jerry Fallwell the first one, Anne Coultier the latter). It amazes me, however, what speech is ultimately considered more free than others.
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