Clear Channel suspends Howard Stern permanently. This time due to the recent $495,000 fine that the FCC imposed on CC instead of Stern, as they typically have done over the years. Since congress and the FCC are considering license revocations, CC is unwilling to take any chances with the Stern show any further.
Powell nor the FCC are willing to set specific decency regulations but, they warned that no one would like the outcome if the FCC and congress did that. Instead, they will continue to prowl the airwaves looking for what they think are infractions and levy penalties.
Since Janet Jackson’s breast flash on the Superbowl, the FCC has felt the need to react to anything that has the appearance of being indecent. However, when you look at the fact that more than half of the income provided the FCC through fines has been paid by Stern, you begin to think there really is a witch hunt.
Maybe this is all in the name of decency but, I suspect there are other reasons behind this.