FCC SET TO LEVEL STERN FINE?

In another victory for God-fearin’, right-thinkin’ folk who believe this “U.S. Constitution” business has gone far enough, the FCC is preparing to fine Clear Channel as much as $495,000 for indecency on The Howard Stern Show, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Stern was already hit with a $27,000 fine earlier this month. If the FCC does indeed go ahead with its plan to slap CC with the new violation—based on a listener complaint—it will be the largest such fine ever demanded. The statute of limitations for filing based on said complaint expires today (4/8).

The notorious radio personality’s on-air arguments about the FCC, decency rules and President Bush have escalated his previously simmering conflicts with the guardians of all that is good and holy.

As of late yesterday, the FCC’s action was still being finalized, WSJ notes.

Of course, Stern’s show is primarily heard on Infinity stations. Clear Channel only aired him on six of its outlets, and suspended him earlier this year as congressional hearings heated up.

The Journal article notes that the FCC may well go after Infinity next. Reps from the Viacom-owned net and Stern’s camp declined comment for the story.

In several unrelated stories, the government is quietly working to kill overtime pay for the poorest stratum of the workforce, key civil liberties are being eroded and Iraq drifts toward anarchy. But as long as no one says any dirty words on the radio, we’re all gonna be OK.