FCC Fines Clear Channel $247,500

(Washington, D.C.) In its vigorous campaign against indecency, the Federal Communications Commission has proposed fining several stations owned by Clear Channel Communications Inc. Alleged are nine violations involving the "Elliot and the Morning" radio program broadcast from Washington, D.C. The show featured a filthy discussion of sexual practices by a female caller and porn star Ron Jeremy.

The proposal to hand out the maximum fine of $27,500 per incident was "because of Clear Channel's history of violations relating to the broadcast of indecent material," the agency wrote.

"Clear Channel has been the subject of repeated indecency actions at the FCC, and this show in particular has been the subject of previous complaints," wrote FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, who said the violations should have triggered license-revocation proceedings. The "cost-of-doing business fine is never going to stop the media's slide to the bottom."

Considerable attention has been directed toward Clear Channel due to their questionable content. They recently agreed to pay a $775,000 fine for the on-air antics of filth-sensationalists Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge.