Buzz Machine has been keeping up with the FCC/Howard Stern brouhaha, and he is convinced that it is some sort of vendetta because Stern doesn't like Bush.
He is also incensed that Stern gets fined and Oprah doesn't - and to that end has been a catalyst and clearinghouse for others. He and those that agree with him have whipped up a frenzy of activity and you can read some of the Oprah complaints sent to the FCC, as compiled by The Smoking Gun. These are not the type of letters I would expect to get much action, either to get Oprah fined or stop the focus on Stern. But they are funny.....
I believe they are missing some salient points; for instance, Oprah presents information under the umbrella of education. She presents warnings throughout the broadcast that the content may be offensive to some, so getting caught off guard is hardly an issue despite the letter writers claims to the contrary. Whether you believe the content to actually be educational is certainly open to debate, but that is her stated intent.
Stern does what he does for entertainment - to shock and to titillate. I can't imagine anyone tuning in to Stern expecting anything other than offensive material. But he makes no claims of redeeming value. Whether it is actually entertaining, or just offensive, is open to debate.
Go ahead and try to convince me that Stern's First Amendment rights are being infringed. Comparing these two shows is simply arguing a false analogy.
Posted by Vox at May 4, 2004 12:13 PM | politicsI think there are those who take the first amendment for granted and think it gives them the right to say whatever they want in any and all forums - - Yet they don't seem to realize that "freedom of speech" does not mean "consequence free"
Posted by: UptownGirl at May 4, 2004 01:27 PMAgreed. They seem to think "Freedom of Speech" equates to 'Freedom from Consequences'. If anyone dares to disagree with what they say, or express outrage/disgust, that is somehow censorship. Definite misunderstanding of the concept.
Posted by: Vox at May 4, 2004 02:47 PMExactly!
It's as though they want to say what they want - - and if we disagree as you said it is censorship - - but isn't it really them who are trying to censor those who disagree with them by trying to silence their voices?
Tangled webs.
Posted by: UptownGirl at May 4, 2004 04:30 PM