FCC Seeks Indecency Fine

Federal regulators stepped up their campaign against on-air indecency Friday, proposing a $247,500 fine against Clear Channel Communications Inc. for nine alleged violations involving a Washington-based radio show.

The move by the Federal Communications Commission came a little more than a month after it fined Clear Channel -- the nation’s largest radio chain -- a record $755,000 for violating the agency’s decency rules.

The FCC voted 4 to 1 on Friday to cite Clear Channel’s “Elliot in the Morning” show, saying the violations “involved graphic and explicit sexual material, and were designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners.”

Clear Channel has promised to clean up its programming. Last month it fired the disc jockey known as “Bubba the Love Sponge,” took the Howard Stern show off the six Clear Channel stations that had carried it and outlined new standards that include immediate suspension of any on-air performer accused by the FCC of airing indecent material.

In statements released with the fine announcement, three FCC commissioners applauded Clear Channel’s efforts but said penalties still were warranted for the “Elliot” show.

The FCC is seeking the maximum $27,500 for each of the alleged violations from a March 13, 2003, broadcast that included talk about pornography. Some of it was rebroadcast eight times in promotional spots.

FCC Commissioner Michael J. Capps voted against the fine, saying he thought it should be more severe. A Clear Channel spokeswoman did not immediately return a phone call.