Media Indecency: Out of control?

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

So, hot topic of the week (outside some others that already ar hot!). Thoughts on shock jocks, cussing on tv, sexuality on tv... is it out of control?

Personally, I long for the days of Opie and May, I think TV is out of control and needs to be regulated. If I wanted envelope pushing or R rated content, I'd go to a movie, purchase HBO.

[Edited on 2-26-2004 by Suppa Hobbit Mage]

[Caiylania]

Was listening to a pop station (one that young kids would regularly listen too) when the DJ's started talking about what the best size boobs were and if women really cared about dick size. Then proceded to talk about how penis size does or does not affect love making.

At 4 in the afternoon. Nice.

[Skirmisher]

While I think some stunts pulled either by some shock jocks or in their name are over the top I don't think that by and large this is something requiring legislation.

Again, parents should always be aware of what their children are watching/listening to and if the listener is an adult then it is their right to listen to crap if they wish to polute their ears.

My main opposition to many shock jock type programs isnt so much the adult nature of the humor as much as its just poor humor. I don't have any problem listening to and in fact quite enjoying blue humor as much as I have a problem with just poor humor. For goodness sakes at least make the thing funny and don't rely solely upon the fact that you are using a dirty word.

[i remember halloween]

i think it is over the top and needs regulation.

[Wezas]

Personally I think there should be a line, and right now the FCC has definately stepped over it.

I listen to WJFK FM in DC. Talk radio. Howard Stern in the morning, Bill O'reilly midday (no spin, my ass), Don and Mike afternoons, Ron and Fez at night.

All of them have been hit hard by the FCC coming down on them. Don and Mike were suspended for 2 weeks because a "bullshit" or two made it onto the air. They were also told if it happens again they'd be fired. Their show totally sucks now, they can't express how they feel and have to tiptoe around everything. Howard has to deal with it as well, though he is finding ways around the rules (making up new words to replace others). But even his show was taken off the air in 6 markets this morning, including large markets like Miami.

Caiy, I see where you're coming from, and if a station is playing music, play music. If it's a station known for it's raunchy shock-jocks, then let them speak. I'm not saying let them say "fuck" every 20 seconds (though I don't see the harm in an occasional mention), but let them express themselves. It's their job to entertain, and some people are entertained by what they're now not allowed to say.

[Caiylania]

Exactly Wezas. Keep stuff on channels where people know to expect it. Don't let yourself get carried away like my example on a channel that plays teen/pop


*evil T ran away, had to bring it back and put it in its place.

[Edited on 2-26-2004 by Caiylania]

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Caiylania
Exacly Wezas. Keep stuff on channels where people know to expect it. Don't let yourself get carried away like my example on a channel that plays teen/pop

Before you know it I'll have to censor my pitchfork jokes. And the world will be worse for it.

[Caiylania]

Originally posted by Wezas

Originally posted by Caiylania
Exacly Wezas. Keep stuff on channels where people know to expect it. Don't let yourself get carried away like my example on a channel that plays teen/pop

Before you know it I'll have to censor my pitchfork jokes. And the world will be worse for it. :( Now why did you have to go there??

<--- Wants to opress Wezas :grin:

you dont have to swear and be lude like howard does.

MANCOW is better anyways

[Betheny]

I agree with Bill. Seems like television sensationalizes a lot of the things that we consider 'bad' -- teenage mothers, drug use... et cetera.

[Pierat]

FYI the company that backs Howard Stern's program pulled him indefinitly last night all of the sudden claiming his show violates their new decency guidelines. Not that its something he hasnt dealt with before.

Also, in terms of that being on the air at 4. There are many laws against it, I was general manager of WJRH-104.9. My college's radio station. The FCC, besides for having unpublished lists of whats allowed to be said. (Unpublished which gives them the power to add at their own will and discression) Fines can begin at I think it was $10,000 3 years ago per word you violated. My station had that much total every year as a budget and trust me, id much rather buy the coolest new DJ gear and build a recording studio then pay a single fine off so I was strict.
So what if people use ineundos and and go "around" the rules to talk about breasts and dick size? Theres 2 more rules the FCC has. One is that they consider the "items" breast and "dick" fine, however talking about them in a sexual encounter or the act of is innapropriate and falls under the same fine system as cursing. And last and most important for your argument.....is....
"Safe Harbor Hours"

Safe harbor hours start from I "believe" (Since I have not read up in 3 years) 8 in the morning to 8 at night, when children could possibly just turn the dial to find a radio station even if its not where their trying to go, and hear that stuff. Things that violate children or can hurt them in ANY was, are not allowed. These EVEN includes comments like "all children from the near by town of ****** are going to grow up to pump my gas!" That is "damaging" to children and not allowed. Again this gives the FCC allot of their own disrection to say that was bad were fining you. So why dont they? Some times they do but radio station's found that its more profitable to allow the cursing get more sponsors and just pay off the fines, the fines dont increase in size, only add up in numbers.... Also, its unlikely that in most areas someone from the FCC is listening all the time. My station had a small range and the nearest FCC "listening post" was 300 miles away. They had a mobile van they could send out, but the odds of them getting their movile van to MY area, and listen to MY station right as it happened? slim to none. So, if your really annoyed call them and put in a complaint, the more complaints they get about a certain radio station, or a certain show on it at a certain time, the odds are that eventually they will have a staff member listen in, and they will get some fines, thats the best you can do. -Pierat (Formerly of Pirate Radio, my show, heh)

[Galleazzo]

Those dickheads should get a fucking clue and cut out all the profanity shit.

[Weedmage Princess]

I think it's a good call. I'm glad they're cracking down on what's making it over the airwaves when children are listening. Like previously mentioned.. keep certain material to certain stations, and/or keep it restricted to certain times, and allow parents to do their job. Crap like Caiylania's example is really unneccessary. There's no reason for it to go to the extent some of it goes to nowadays. Hopefully we're seeing a change in society.

[Skirmisher]

ok

[Parkbandit]

I miss Bubba the Love Sponge... but as a father, I can understand the need for regulating such 'shock' shows.

[Latrinsorm]

omg ur all narcs

[Pierat]

Im not a narc, lol, I was explaining how the current laws work, my radio station always had curses no matter how much I tried to stop em..... So, I had to know the laws and find out how they can track it so I could fight it... College radio DJ's dont scan their songs for curses like they should all the time :/

[Pierat]

Oh and about my last post, if you want to get away with things and not get caught, what better way then to be a "smart" criminal? Heh why the hell do you think im applying to law school right now ::Smirk::

[TheEschaton]

I think it's a good call. I'm glad they're cracking down on what's making it over the airwaves when children are listening. Like previously mentioned.. keep certain material to certain stations, and/or keep it restricted to certain times, and allow parents to do their job. Crap like Caiylania's example is really unneccessary. There's no reason for it to go to the extent some of it goes to nowadays. Hopefully we're seeing a change in society.

And when they ban shock jockies - eventually they ban shock music. Which will put the rap business in its death throes, and folks like Marilyn Manson won't be played on the air (hell, I still don't think the local rock stations play him).

The proverbial "line in the sand" is bullshit, because it is completely arbitrary. For example, on this board, I can post the word bullshit - when I posted on The Daily Show's boards on Comedy Central, they edited out all curse words. Thus, once the line is drawn, the fascists will move it at will to suit what they see is right.

In terms of freedom of speech, as long as it does not physically infringe on a person's right (and people are not forced to listen to it), it can be all or nothing. The Constitution does not allow nothing - so we must go with all.

That's why the ACLU will defend NAMBLA's right to have a website, as well as the KKK's right to have a rally in downtown Ohio.

-TheE-, not a card carrying member, but only because he's too cheap to pay the fees.

[Wezas]

Originally posted by TheEschatonThat's why the ACLU will defend NAMBLA's right to have a website, as well as the KKK's right to have a rally in downtown Ohio.

-TheE-, not a card carrying member, but only because he's too cheap to pay the fees.

Which one? NAMBLA, KKK, or ACLU?

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I'm all for people spouting profanity E, however, don't infringe on my right to raise children or not hear that profanity. You want total and uninhibited freedom, I believe that is called anarchy.

[Sean]

Personally I don't see a big need for regulation. Most of the shows and content people have issues with are on cable television. If your worried about your children there are plenty of things to watch on public television that aren't nearly as sensationalized, yes the super bowl issue being an exception. I know thats part of the reason I didn't have cable growing up. Also interms of R rated content, I'd much rather enjoy it channel surfing then paying 10 bucks to see it once.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage
You want total and uninhibited freedom, I believe that is called anarchy. I think E meant freedom of speech, not freedom in general. Freedom of speech is a good thing, and to quote a dirtbag, "Freedom of speech doesn't protect the speech you like, it protects the speech you hate."

[Pierat]

Tijay its like that because the FCC doesnt "fine" cable, theyre just worried about loosing sponsors, the FCC only regulates the "airwaves" or what goes over regular TV and radio, Its the current regulations that keep it the way it is now :)