Defending Freedom of Speech
I find this article unsettling. Howard Stern Predicts He Will Be Shut Down.
I for one am repulsed by this man, what he says and what he does. I have no problem with him saying it, it's just that I, expressing my freedom, refuse to listen to him.
And that's the crux of the issue. Everyone has a freedom not to be interfered with by the Federal government when they have something to say. But nobody has to listen to what you have to say. Which is why I only get about 10 hits a day on this blog.
Nobody is screaming about Sterns views, he's in hot water over how he expresses his opinion. I can't comment on anything more because I don't listen to his show and could tell you what he talks about or does.
I just think that as long as stations can continue to sell advertising on his show, he should be allowed to say what he says on the air, within the standards of decency as set by the FCC. I don't think it's hard to stay within those guidelines. He can call the President a fascist, as long as he doesn't calling a fucking fascist.
Clear Channel got hit with a whopping fine over Sterns show, and until he cleans up his act to the FCC's standards, they are going to continue to pay if they still carry him (which they aren't).
Being the responsible, upstanding and forthright guy Mr. Stern is, I'm sure he will at least cut a check to Clear Channel to pay for the fines he caused. Probably not.
I don't like him, but I can't shut him up without endangering my own rights. So I let market forces work on him. If he gets kicked off the air, it's his own damn fault and nobody else's.
--------