Clear choices

The days when Howard Stern and a DJ who calls himself "Bubba the Love Sponge" could say almost anything on the radio may be ending. In fact, shock jocks may be an endangered species.

Last week, Clear Channel Communications, the largest radio chain in the United States, suspended broadcast of Stern's show one day after firing Bubba, whose show was fined a record $755,000 by the Federal Communications Commission for violations of its rules. Cumulatively, Stern has been fined $1.7 million.

After reviewing one of Stern's shows last week, Clear Channel's president called it "vulgar, offensive, and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency."

Clear Channel pulled Stern's show from six markets and said he will remain off the air until the show conforms to broadcasting standards.

Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., the times when children may be listening or watching, FCC rules forbid airing material containing references to sexual and excretory functions. The rules apply to radio stations and over-the-air television broadcasts. They do not apply to cable, satellite channels and satellite radio.

"Bubba" was fined for on-air discussions about sex and drugs the FCC said were "designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners." His program was heard in four Florida cities. Stern remains in 35 other markets. Reruns of his radio show also are shown on cable television's E! Channel.

A movement already was underway in Congress to crack down on offensiveness in broadcasting before singer Janet Jackson's breast was bared at the Super Bowl.

The maximum fine for indecency currently is $27,500. Congress is considering an increase to $275,000, a move endorsed by the FCC.

Besides taking egregious offenders off the air, Clear Channel is requiring everyone in the company to undergo training about indecency and says it is prepared to fine and suspend its own DJs for breaking FCC rules.

Putting broadcasters in a position where they are afraid to take chances on adventurous programming out of fear of being levied a whopping fine is not the best solution for cleaning up the airwaves. The initiative taken by Clear Channel to police itself is preferable by far.