Radio ethics are out of step with all other standards.
Cable, internet blogs and street language contain "real talk", which includes many of the banned radio words.
And because the internet is fusing with radio, some of this slips through. Tonight I heard serious discussion employing the M_ F_ words, the B_ S_ words, and others. The program in progress was too important to interupt.
Thing is, they were speaking the way people really speak.
As I've said elsewhere, official levels of our pathetic authoritarian government use course language as a matter of course. You got your law enforcement, your military, your Rotary Club, all using F_ bombs and S_bombs every other word.
Getting to the point, I would suggest that Part 15 Radio has the heavy obligation of leading the way toward equity in the language controversy. The licensed stations dare not take such a risk because of the hefti fines by which they are contolled.
In Part 15 there is no actual rule about language propriety, thus we are free to say dirty words any time, day or night. We have only refrained as a tipping of the hat toward convention, but no one wears hats any more. It makes us stodgy.
Henceforth my stations no longer honor a language ban, we are FREE speech, all down the line.
Are you man enough to bite bullets? Let's go!
Now thats pretty darn cool Carl.
I'm all for it, hell its how people talk!
Interesting that this subject has come up here.
I'm an amateur radio operator, and I recently ran across some amateurs on 80 meters talking like they do in the real world (including many of the 'isms, including racism, sexism, and more), and you know what? I didn't think about freedom of speech or that it reflected the real world. I just felt that the public radio waves, where anybody can tune in and listen, was no place for that. And I also felt that it reflected quite badly on amateur radio in general (never mind those radio operators).
I feel the same way about that kind of stuff on the broadcast bands, AM or FM. There are plenty of arenas for free speech, if that's how you define it. Arenas in which you as a listener or reader or watcher can deliberately decide to expose yourself to it. The problem with radio is that there is no expectation of hearing that, or, at least, I (and I think most people) don't have that expectation. And if I did, I wouldn't be listening.
I would prefer my radio station to be known for the obscure (but great) music and other material it plays, rather than how far can I (or will I) go.
I am torn between two camps on the issue.
By long training and habit I do not use vulgar language ever, not on the air and not off the air.
The people I have known in my life have mostly watched their language, except a few overly macho types with ties to uniformed authoritarian government jobs, or organizied sports.
My radio programs are not a matter of "seeing how far we can go", which would be immature.
My radio programs are intelligent conversations about serious topics, but every so often a participant digs into the vulgar word department. The program content overall is not vulgar, and I find that once someone has said a word it is too late to stop it, and I will not cancel an entire program because of the occasional word bomb.
On the other hand I have canceled shows that use needless foul language as a substitute for humor, because vulgar language all by itself is usually not funny, clever, or intelligent.
In the realm of mature intelligent discourse, it is (my opinion) actually impolite to halt a conversation to scold educated people about the words they choose.
It can be a fine line, particularly for talk radio.
Another consideration for Canadian micro broadcasters, is that one of the conditions of an exemption from the requirement to get a CRTC license is that an unlicensed broadcaster has to adhere to the general programming standards of that regulatory body. Such as no 'isms, no language that doesn't meet general community standards, no overt politics, etc.
The CRTC reserves the right to demand that any micro broadcaster cease unlicensed broadcasting and get a license if they receive programming complaints. And you can't get a CRTC license unless you have a minimum of $50,000-$100,000 funding per year, primarily for full time employees (station manager, programming director - they want to have the names of those whose jobs are on the line, rather than the names of multiple volunteers). That's why a lot of the low power radio stations here are associated with universities and colleges - there is a built in funding mechanism (i.e., student fees).
It's been my observation that those who use profanity for "every other word", simply know very few acceptable words which have the same, or similar meanings. aka no vocabulary. When you drop out of, or refuse to learn anything beyond grade school, you're limited to what you hear on the street. (or more accurately, in the gutter.) I feel sorry for those who can't communicate any better than that....especially those in communications!
the people I associate with don't use "shock talk" verbiage much at all and I personally get tired of hearing it in comedy and movies. Maybe a little for some spice in a movie would be OK but it can be over done (e.g. in Casino and Goodfellas).
I wouldn't be upset if a word or two slipped through on my station but as a matter of preference I wouldn't air material replete with "bad" words.
Freedom of expression doesn't require me to listen to nor to facilitate it.
Neil
Radio 8Z reminds me of a whole dimension of the "content" issue that exists for licensees or those responsible for content on a radio station, when he says, "Freedom of expression doesn't require me to listen to nor to facilitate it."
This is a very important statement, because of a very specific point of law that many people don't understand.
When I was responsible to generate 44-hours per week of programming for a licensed public station, I understood that the licensee alone held the ultimate responsibility to govern the content on their station, and my job was to meet their policies.
But we had one volunteer who had the mistaken idea that his freedom to express himself superceded whatever policy he was asked to honor, and he argued with me by saying, "Don't worry, I'll take full responsibility for everything I say." He refused to temper his language, and I eventually had no choice but to dismiss him, after which he became my detracter for life.
In Part 15 radio we are the "licensee", so to speak, the owner who calls the shots. We are not required to make way for anyone elses freedom of speech. Their freedom of speech is theirs personally, and does not obligate us to amplify it.
But we do have the choice of whether to allow speech based on our own judgement of whether it deserves a platform. That's where I'm coming from.
Carl's statement But we do have the choice of whether to allow speech based on our own judgement of whether it deserves a platform. nicely expresses my take on this. It is up to each of us to decide what to air. The potential problem comes from how it is perceived by the "public". Some won't care about the content and if offended will move on but some will push back against it. This push back can be harmful to promoting the general case for allowing Part 15 broadcasting.
Factual or not, there are those who say if you keep your broadcast "clean" you won't have a problem and others who say that a station was cited because it attracted attention by its "inappropriate" program content. The truth in such statements remains to be proven but often perception is reality for many.
Neil
Tonight's broadcast of Allan Weiner Worldwide from WBCQ The Planet, a LICENSED U.S. shortwave station which granted permission for KDX Worldround Radio to carry the program, included one of Allan's staff who was progressively drunker through the hour and spewed F_words and S_words, I got nervous because it was only 7 PM.
The FCC requires vulgar language be placed after 10 PM.
But of course there are no actual language standards that apply to Part 15, but a complaint would apply, so that's the same thing.
I personally don't care if people blurt these words, not everybody knows other words, but I do cower in the shadow of self-declared guardians of decency, because they are hate criminals at base, and salivate at the opportunity to pounce on a little radio signal since they have no other creative outlet.
Earlier today I listened to the guy who owns three local licensed stations, a very exceptional genius in my opinion, and everyday he simulcasts an hour of political opinion which rides the very edge of allowable language for licensed stations. He tosses words like "bitch" "stinky pants" "bastards" and "son of a bitch" as if he was tossing a baseball from hand to hand. This morning he was covering a Tuesday Election Day, and had his favorite politicians call in to speak, while inviting "the bastards" to also call in, which they did not do.
To me the words are only slight blurts of air, but there are always people around who get their sense of importance from attacking others, and the words give them a reason. Pity.
Tonight's broadcast of Allan Weiner Worldwide from WBCQ The Planet, a LICENSED U.S. shortwave station which granted permission for KDX Worldround Radio to carry the program, included one of Allan's staff who was progressively drunker through the hour and spewed F_words and S_words, I got nervous because it was only 7 PM.
WBCQ inadvertenly broadcasts to the United States. Shortwave licenses are issued with a "target" audience outside the United States in mind. That being said, the rules are different.
Also, as an amateur radio operator, while I have engaged in some lively discussions on 75 meters, I NEVER use the "N" word or drop the "F" bomb. That's just the way I am.
"I'm an Analog Man" - Joe Walsh
I will never change, as far as personal speaking habits are concerned. I have never used vulgar language, not in school and not in the military.
A fellow soldier once asked me, "I notice you never use dirty language like everyone else. Is it a religious thing?"
"No," I answered, "I just never got into the habit of using that kind of language."
"Well I think it's cool," the man said.
So I agree with Artisan and others who have reminded that our broadcasts are open to the public and paint a picture of us.
My concern is with what others say on their programs, programs carried on my station. It is a problem that will never go away. In the case of the Allan Weiner example, Allen himself was not using bad words, he is a veteran broadcaster and a professional. It was one of his crew who had no house manners. But Allen is very tolerant with his people and not a bossy boss.
Also there is a "language creep" on podcasts and internet broadcasts, where more and more people are using trash words to express themselves.
The other extreme is even worse, in my opinion, and that is stations so anti-septic and gentrified that all important subjects are left behind because speech is kept way too proper and they sound like they're talking to their pet dog.
Swear words tend to be the language of those who don't know how or care to speak properly. If those who do know or care don't set an example (and cable TV in particular gives us many bad examples), then speech will gradually decay. And you can hear it happening today.
I won't run any programs that I don't have control over. I don't want to control creativity or ideas, but rather the respect (i..e, language) with which those ideas are put forth. Respect here is a good word - I want to respect ALL listeners, including those who might be offended by the language, for whatever reason. No gratuitous swearing. And I'm the final judge. Because at the end of the day, I'm the one taking responsibility for the radio station. I'm the one who's putting his reputation, integrity and broadcasting life on the line. And if the people doing the programs don't like it, too bad. They don't have to give them to me.
I've been known to let some edgy language get through, but only if it was necessary to the theme of the program - in my opinion of course. I understand it's a slippery slope, and some will call it censorship. So be it. Again, it's MY reputation.
But I can look at myself in the mirror and be proud of what my station carries. You might be offended by the ideas, but anyone can listen to it.
[p.s. I once put together a program that consisted of songs that contained the word F*** in them, 1980s and earlier - if I had done it post 1980s it wouldn't have meant much, as that particular word had become by then all too common. I never broadcast the program, but it was certainly interesting - on the play list were artists such as John Lennon, The Violent Femmes, Nilsson, The Who, The Pretenders etc. along with some obvious groups such as The Stranglers, The Clash, The Dead Kennedys, etc.]
My brother's nickname is "The Ferd." He is quite a
bit younger than my friends and I. So when
we were growing up - if anyone swore - he would
say, "Ÿou just said a Non-Ferd-Word, you get
a demerit!" But it never went any farther than that.
My wife is a fisherman's daughter, and she also was almost
in charge of the family seafood restaurant when she was about
12 years old. So she learned all kinds of words that I never even
heard of.
Now she is a special ed teacher, and of course she doesn't
use inappropriate language in her classes. Or anywhere near
the school for that matter.
I grew up with ham radio in the late 1960s. For whatever
reason, swearing on the ham bands bothers me. I never
listen to 75 meters ever, because that's where most of
the bad language is, I think.
For broadcast radio - I'm not sure. There is that daily
time period at night where swearing is permitted. I'm
still not entirely comfortable with it, but maybe that's
because I've been listening to the radio for so long.
Bruce, The Dog Radio Group
The way I look at it, if you are the guy with the microphone and the great big transmitter, you obviously have something to say that is different from all the people who don't have all the cool gear.
Therefore, dazzle me not with your ability to talk like the guy on the street, but with your brilliance. Your experiences. Your entertaining way of turning a phrase. Your ability to make magic happen inside my head. Why talk like other people? If I want to listen to other people I'll turn off my radio and listen to other people. If the *only* way to be brilliant is to be coarse, IMO you're just not trying hard enough.
Wanna hear it done right? Scare up some archived web audio of "The Greaseman". He tells tall tales of superhuman sexual prowess and improbable stamina, with cartoon sound effects and colorful comedy euphamisms that totally draw you in without resorting to base language or terminology.
That's my line of thought. I would not institute a blanket language ban, but I would be more likely to air the person who is a clever enough wordsmith that knows he CAN be coarse ... but decides he tells a better story when he's NOT.