News
Ron Jeremy Talk Show Conversation Earns $247,500 Fine
Published: Mar 18, 2004 - 10:15 PM
The federal government continued its war on words Friday as it proposed fining radio giant Clear Channel communications $247,500 for a broadcast that originated on one of the companies Washington, D.C. stations. The FCC wants to fine the company for a broadcast of the "Elliot in the Morning" show that on WWDC-FM, which was rebroadcast on three different stations. By the FCC's count three were nine alleged violations "that involved graphic and explicit sexual material, and were designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners." The FCC proposed the maximum fine of $27,500 per incident.
"Elliot in the Morning" is heard on WWDC in Washington; WRXL in Richmond, Va.; and WOSC in Bethany Beach, Del.
During the March 13, 2003 show the hosts celebrated porn star Ron Jeremy's 50th birthday. In the segment a female caller said she masturbated frequently to a Jeremy video and that she wanted to do a "three way" with him because she likes "the way he licks pussy."
The latest action, technically a notice of apparent liability, comes amid heightened public and political pressure on broadcasters to clean up their programming. On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would boost the maximum indecency fine for broadcast companies and individuals to $500,000 per incident.
Last month, the FCC proposed a record $755,000 fine against Clear Channel for airing raunchy content on the "Bubba the Love Sponge" show in Florida. The disc jockey of that show was fired by Clear Channel, which did not contest the fine.
During the March 13, 2003 show the hosts celebrated porn star Ron Jeremy's 50th birthday. In the segment a female caller said she masturbated frequently to a Jeremy video and that she wanted to do a "three way" with him because she likes "the way he licks pussy."
The latest action, technically a notice of apparent liability, comes amid heightened public and political pressure on broadcasters to clean up their programming. On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would boost the maximum indecency fine for broadcast companies and individuals to $500,000 per incident.
Last month, the FCC proposed a record $755,000 fine against Clear Channel for airing raunchy content on the "Bubba the Love Sponge" show in Florida. The disc jockey of that show was fired by Clear Channel, which did not contest the fine.
