10-03-2003, 03:17 PM
US radio fined $375,000 for 'sex in public' contest
October 3, 2003 - 9:49AM
A radio contest challenging listeners to have sex in public places has won the broadcasters a $357,500 fine, US regulators said today.
The Federal Communications Commission proposed the fine after ruling that 13 stations owned by a Viacom Inc unit violated federal indecency standards when they aired, on August 15, 2002, the Opie & Anthony Show, which ran the contest.
The show was cancelled almost immediately after the contest aired, which included broadcasts of five couples purportedly having sex and descriptions of other sexually explicit activities in famous New York locales like St Patrick's Cathedral and the Rockefeller Centre.
"The premeditated nature of the decision to encourage sexual activity in locations that would surprise and shock passers-by and attract attention at risk to the participants ... was plainly reflective of a transparent effort to pander and titillate for marketing purposes," the FCC said.
The proposed fine issued by the commission amounts to $27,500 per station, the maximum the agency can issue in such cases.
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One of the "sinners" is dead, Infinity will pay the fine, can O and A come back now? Please?
AP, AU, it's still news
October 3, 2003 - 9:49AM
A radio contest challenging listeners to have sex in public places has won the broadcasters a $357,500 fine, US regulators said today.
The Federal Communications Commission proposed the fine after ruling that 13 stations owned by a Viacom Inc unit violated federal indecency standards when they aired, on August 15, 2002, the Opie & Anthony Show, which ran the contest.
The show was cancelled almost immediately after the contest aired, which included broadcasts of five couples purportedly having sex and descriptions of other sexually explicit activities in famous New York locales like St Patrick's Cathedral and the Rockefeller Centre.
"The premeditated nature of the decision to encourage sexual activity in locations that would surprise and shock passers-by and attract attention at risk to the participants ... was plainly reflective of a transparent effort to pander and titillate for marketing purposes," the FCC said.
The proposed fine issued by the commission amounts to $27,500 per station, the maximum the agency can issue in such cases.
--------------------
One of the "sinners" is dead, Infinity will pay the fine, can O and A come back now? Please?
AP, AU, it's still news