Free Speech, Ignorance and Racism

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelC

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

Old news. Sharpton already has said that he's targeting entertainment industry next.

http://www.9news.com/life/entertainment/article.aspx?storyid=68090

Part of the problem is the use of "public airwaves".  Remember the 2 Live Crew controversy in Florida, where the state of Florida outright banned the sale of their music.  That was eventually overturned.  But then, as now, "2 Live Crew" still can't be played on "public airwaves" without being heavily edited.

Remember Howard Stern's jump to satellite.  All surrounding use of public airwaves.

I've heard folks like Sharpton speak out about certain types of rap, but it ends up being a moral issue rather than a "public airwaves" issue.  About all they can do is ask people to not listen, and ask recording companies to quit making it (and quit making money off of it).

If $harpton were really serious about getting rap off the airwaves, he'd treat the artists and recording companies the same as he has with media outlets in the past- an extortion attempt cloaked in a law suit.  He knows there is no money and little face time for going after black rap artists.  The media loves a good controversy.  Black going after white gets far more notice by the media.

2 Live Crew was banned primarily due to the lyrics in "Me So Horney".  One listen to the un-edited version of the song, and it's pretty much a no-brainer as to why it's a no-no on the public airwaves.  I don't believe it was racially-charged music, just things the FCC says aren't appropriate for the gov't regulated airwaves.

[cannon_fodder]

How about Viacomm owning Comedy Central which was basically built by South Park which continues to have its only black reoccurring character named Token. Or said "******" something like 40 times on a recent episode.  Which, by the way, is hilarious.

I understand that people are offended by language.  I think its usually misplaced outrage, but I understand.  But they need to understand that their criteria for when and how to be outraged is a giant mystery to the rest of the world.  As one of the talking heads surmised - if the VT Massacre had happened the day after Imus mad his comments: would the media have moved on?  Its doubtful that Jesse or Al would have been able to get in the spot light and would have quickly dropped the 'cause.'

[iplaw]

Apparently it had nothing to do with race in the first place.  According to a British paper, Imus was silenced because he was about to disclose 9/11 troof to the American people.

[rwarn17588]

Dang. It looks like altruismsuffers got to them.

[}:)]

[RLitterell]

I would not listen to Don Imus on a bet, that said I would go to my grave defending his right to free speach. as has been mentioned here, CBS et al. have every right to dispose of this issue as they see fit... and have.
When we start filtering speech we are asking for trouble. If you don't like Don Imus, Rosie or others don't listen to or watch them. The dollar is mightier than the sword.