Despite the latest FCC v Fox ruling striking down indecency as we know it, radio is not pushing the envelope, according to broadcast attorneys in a recent survey conducted by Inside Radio. Just 6% think the door's now wide open to air whatever anyone wants, no matter how suggestive it is. Few expect radio to become R-rated but a Wyoming program director says "Broadcasters should be able to air what they want to. Local markets will either support or reject that content thereby providing any necessary regulation." There are already reports that some TV shows taping for the new fall season are including dialog containing some language previously ruled to be indecent yet radio will apparently take the high road...
Nearly half of respondents (49%) say they will continue to operate as if the FCC rules are in full effect until the Supreme Court has its say. 45% of those polled believe radio should follow the FCC indecency rules regardless of which way the court goes because the audience expects stations not to air offensive content. One respondent says "There is far too much responsibility involved with broadcasting for anyone not to take this seriously." Another respondent says "none of us think just spewing the f-word is now acceptable, however, it is good to know that a slip-up will keep that pompous organization (FCC) from levying a fine." ...
I believe that most radio stations will follow the indecency rules currently in effect, court ruling or not, until they change but I expect that an occasional "slip-up" will never be feared as much as it was in the past, pending the next court ruling. Chances are good that since the FCC v Fox ruling came down, a ruling on the Janet Jackson case in Philadelphia will come soon...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1961] Cue up "Bruce Almighty": TWA shows the 1st in-flight movie. I was once on a cross-country flight that showed "Airport". Scary enough, right? I also had another flight on a Whisper Jet and sat next to a Boeing engineer who told me that those planes have been known to lose a wing on occasion. Oh and how can I forget flying through a hurricane on Allegheny?...
2.1966] Wedding Bells: 50-year old Frank Sinatra and 21-year old Mia Farrow tie the knot. Old Blue Eyes had pants that were older than his new wife…1986] Caroline Kennedy, 28-year old daughter of JFK walks down the aisle with Edwin A. Schlossberg in Centerville (MA), not far from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port…
3.1969] In orbit: Apollo 11 and astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins circle the moon in orbit. On the 20th they touch down...
4.1976] Olympic: Tiny 14-year old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci scores a perfect 10 on the parallel bars. ‘Comaneech’ becomes an overnight sensation for her Olympic feat…1996] The most recognizable person in the world, Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic torch in Atlanta...
5.1980] Nyet: Dozens call in sick for the summer olympics in Moscow because of Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan...
6.1985] NASA goes to school: New Hampshire school teacher Christa McAuliffe is chosen to ride aboard the space shuttle. Christa was on the ill-fated Challenger when it exploded in 1986...
7.1990] Guilty as charged: Baseball's all-time hits leader Pete Rose is sentenced in Cincinnati to 5 months in prison for tax evasion...
8.1999] Search continues: Navy divers continue to search in the waters off Martha's Vineyard for JFK Jr., his wife and sister-in-law...
9.2005] Just super: The president nominates John Roberts to replace Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who retires. Instead, Roberts will wind up succeeding Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who dies in September...
10.2009] The world mourns Uncle Walter: Walter Cronkite is mourned after his death at 92 on July 17th...
Music Memories:
•1958] Will the real Drifters please stand up: Drifters mgr. George Treadwell goes backstage at the Apollo Theater and fires his group. George walks across to the dressing room of the group's opening act, The Crowns and hires them as replacements. The Crowns lead singer? Ben E. King...
•1968] #1 on this date: "Grazing in the Grass" - Hugh Masekela...1976] "Kiss and Say Goodbye" - Manhattans...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
ESPN's Stuart Scott (45), Anthony Edwards (48), Ilie Nastase (64), Vikki Carr (69), George Hamilton IV (LXIII), Sue Thompson (85) and George McGovern (88)...
Timeline Countdown: 5 days until NFL training camps begin opening, 6 days until the MLB HOF (Andre Dawson, Whitey Herzog & Doug Harvey)induction and 19 days until the Pro Football HOF induction...
