April 19, 2004
FCC SET TO FINE STERN AGAIN
The FCC is expected to fine Infinity Broadcasting roughly $1.5 million as early as next week for airing "indecent" material from the Howard Stern radio show. Unlike Clear Channel, though, Infinity corporate parent Viacom plans to fight the fines. A spokesman for the company indicated it has no plans to drop Stern, but will fight the fine on First Amendment grounds, arguing that Stern's remarks do not meet the legal definition of "indecent." Viacom President Mel Karmazin has publicly backed Stern in front of D.C. lawmakers. In 1995, Infinity paid a $1.7 million fine for indecent comments on Stern's show. Once Infinity receives the proposed fine from the FCC, it has 30 days to respond, at which time it can either pay or go to court.