Salon.com News | Clear Channel head "ashamed" of programs: "Broadcast executives cited these and other examples Thursday as evidence they are taking heed of the government's call to clean up the airwaves.


'We at Fox have heard your concerns loud and clear,' said Gail Berman, the network's president of entertainment. 'We sincerely regret that a few incidents of inappropriate programming have overshadowed the good shows we proudly air on Fox each week.'

Does that mean Fox will stop airing stupid reality shows that mock marriage by turning it into a prize?

Several broadcasters endorsed the higher fines. John Hogan, president Clear Channel Radio, said the move would 'serve as a 'shot across the bow' of the industry, putting us all on notice that Congress and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) are serious about cleaning up the airwaves.'

The most dramatic response came from the nation's largest radio chain, 1,200-station Clear Channel Communications. This week it fired the disc jockey known as 'Bubba the Love Sponge,' took the Stern show off the six stations it owns and outlined new standards that include immediately suspending any on-air talent accused of airing indecent material by the FCC.

Hogan said he was 'ashamed' of the 'Bubba' show. The program, which aired in Florida, recently brought a proposed $755,000 FCC fine for sexually explicit content and other alleged indecency violations."

Look, the bigger obscenity is the shrinking number of companies that control the media and the shocking lack of complete coverage of anything non-Janet Breast related.