[IP] more on Bicyclists vs Clear Channel

[Dave Farber <dave@farber.net>]

I agree with Declan re the FCC EXCEPT at license renewal time when, while 
it may be less than decisive, there is the opportunity to complain. But 
lobbying Clearchannel and their advertisers is an effective and proper way. 
Also I think there is a difference between calling a person a name and 
incident to attack. If one suggested attacking Bush , see how long it would 
be till the secret service showed up.

Dave


> From: Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com>
>
> Dave,
>
> I've been a bicyclist all my life as well, ever since participating in the 
> Philadelphia-Ocean City MS ride (150 miles) when I was around 10 years 
> old. I agree with Dana that the talk show hosts' comments, as I understand 
> them, are vile and contemptible remarks that go beyond the pale and have 
> no place in civil discourse.
>
> But I would caution IPers about lobbying the FCC to censor the radio 
> stations. That could set a nasty precedent. Imagine the next time a 
> political talk show host quipped "President Bush is guilty of treason" or 
> "Senator Hillary Clinton should be strung up." If the three Clear Channel 
> stations lose their licenses, that would set the perfect precedent for any 
> offended parties (and there always are some) to censor controversial 
> political speech in the future.
>
> Living in a free society means occasionally tolerating vile and 
> contemptible remarks. The hosts' remarks would be legal if typed in a 
> Usenet post or published in a book; they should be legal on the air as 
> well. As noxious as the anti-bicyclist comments are, they do not rise to 
> the level of "terrorism," and we should not follow the Bush 
> administration's unfortunate lead of broadening the definition of the word 
> far beyond its original meaning.
>
> The best way to respond to hateful speech is with speech of your own 
> including publicity and boycotts. That seems to have worked here: 
> Advertising has been pulled, Clear Channel has apologized on the air and 
> has, the AP article said, "donated $10,000 and air time to promote bicycle 
> safety."
>
> -Declan

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