You know who is a fantastic story teller,
and has an extremely versatile command
of the English language - is Carl Blare.
Bruce, The Dog Radio Group
Bruce, a million thanks for saying such a thing, but there's no way I can respond to that. If I didn't share the same point of view I might be embarrased.
Unless....
No. You couldn't be joshing. No way.
Neil
jean Shepard....now that was a story teller.
Ladies & Gentlemen i wondered when a conversation like this would surface and the timing is perfect. There two stations that surfaced in a town 60 + miles from my location where i used to live that air a hip hop format taken from an internet stream. The music is uncensored as part of a test to see how folks would respond to the uncensored format.
It seems as though they have quite a following and listeners are enjoying what they hear on their radio's. So maybe it's okay for a small demographic, but i am sure it won't be long before someone jumps in there and spoils it for everyone.
My station has aired questionable content but usually those programs start at 10:30 pm and end at 12 am. and occaisionally archived or best of that particular program will air until 4 am. But you know what? Even intteligent people make mistakes and when they do they probably use a few choice words, it's human nature.
Of course if you were raised in a family where colorful words were not tolirated then you probably won't use them as an adult.
I seem to recall seeing an article posted on my facebook page about the FCC accepting public comments on lifting the ban on frontal nudity ( from the belly up) and curse words on radio and television. I never looked into it because i was getting ready to leave the house. I can imagine this would not fly and the fcc will keep the ban in effect.
Time will tell.
I hope everyone is well and happy broadcasting.
Edit: ha spelled intelligent wrong lol
I've never understood the argument that if everyone else is doing it, you should.
As my dear Dad used to say, if everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?
People tend to imitate what they see and hear, whether it be from their friends, TV or radio. Put foul language on the air, say that's it's OK, and you'll get even more back into the general communication stream.
I'd like to think that Part 15 radio can be, in some small way, a leader here, blazing a new path through the wilderness of thought and imagination. Going where few are going right now. Creative, intelligent language, thought provoking - Part 15 can be all these things and more.
Machetes, anyone?
The FCC's job is spectrum management. No where in the Communications Act do you find "decency standards."
Speaking for myself I vote for the idea of upholding a better standard and providing programming that serves the mind of the listeners with respect, but the thorns and snags of social reality can slow things down.
On one hand there are listeners themselves, who may very well go to church so they'll appear respectable, but it's only an act, and the real person is a foul mouthed tobacco spitter who would ridicule an intelligent radio station; or an uneducated prune-faced woman and her dog ready to phone in what she considers "suspicious activity".
On another hand there are programs themselves, free programs, which may contain enough talent and intelligence to be worthwhile, but a little bit of free-wheeling language which goes out of bounds.
Vulgarity is a style and not all that rare, unfortunately. Many men prove their manhood with it. Some women use it to show they can be equal to men.
Not everyone here is in the U.S. and under the umbrella of the FCC.
As an example, in Canada, Industry Canada performs the spectrum management, but the CRTC controls the content. All unlicensed broadcasters in Canada must follow the general guidelines of the CRTC; if you don't and there are complaints, they can force you to get a CRTC license (the hard one to get) and effectively shut you down.
This is not a light hearted question, and I think it applies in Canada as well as the U.S.
In very formal terms, what ARE the correct things that can safely be said and what are the things that should be avoided?
Not just words, whole ideas. If the CRTC reacts to a station's content, who among them is deciding the official standard? Is it published in a book of instructions?
In the U.S. the so-called "politically correct" things to say are rather informal, people just have some vague idea of what is acceptable. But where does it come from?
Rather than accepting control from without; from a non-descript boss figure who may not actually exist, I think the broadcaster should regard himself, and if there were female broadcasters then it would be herself, as the final authority on proper speech and correct language.
Want to know what is politically correct? Ask your Part 15 broadcaster.
I'm more concerned that the FCC (arm of federal government) strictly adhere to the First Amendment. Rules on decency, i.e prohibition of pornography and profanity, have a place in the public, but a fine line must be walked. Personally, the FCC should largely confine their enforcement to technical issues. Let the broadcaster and peer pressure regulate the content as much as possible.
For example, I want to discuss the filthy underbelly of corruption in the USA on my LPAM station, e.g. assassinations, blackmail, fraud, etc. Furthermore, I want to discuss paranormal issues, e.g. mutilations including both livestock and HUMAN. Imagine discussing the issue of human mutilations on the public airwaves where children may be listening. LPAM stations need to travel where corporate stations won't and the broadcaster carries a heavy burden on his shoulders.
I'm STILL waiting on a LPAM, Title 47 Part 15 Digital Radio Mondiale transmitter so I can also transmit digital text and pictures accompanying the broadcast's audio. Imagine transmitting digital images of human mutilations across public airwaves.
We don't have anything approaching the First Amendment here in Canada. Generally, anything that a government body such as the CRTC states is not kosher is definitely not kosher, period.
However, historically, the CRTC has erred on the side of freedom of speech. But they do have that right to shut a Canadian unlicensed broadcaster down if they so choose because of content.
One trend that's probably true in Canada, the Homeland, and other countries is that criticizing the government is a death warrant.
Pompous asses hate being called pompous asses.
I do NOT use 4 letter words, nor any language that's not allowed on the air, or in church, for that matter. That's just my life long habit. Nor do I want to hear it.
Put me on the "be better, keep it clean" side of the scoreboard. Even if I'm alone, I'm NOT moving. Not in "real life" and not if I ever have a part 15 station, either.
Well said! I agree with you 100%! I hope we don't become a minority if we haven't already!