| Clear Channel Communications (CCU) |
On-air animal cruelty to promote ratings |
San Antonio, Texas |
Feb. 27, 2001 |
Clear Channel has developed a reputation of on-air animal cruelty; there have been at least 5 instances listed below.
Outraged animal advocates filed numerous petitions and letters to the Clear Channel Communications group and their sponsors. Some 30 sponsors dropped there advertising after the Florida cruelty incident.
Clear Channel (Corporate Offices in San Antonio Texas) needs to do more than suffer a hit in the pocketbook. Bubbas Shock Jock promotion was planned about 2 weeks prior to the February 27th event. The Clear Channel Executives can't claim to be surprised by the conduct of Clem (or of the other 4 incidents) for publicity and entertainment purposes.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is also investigating the incident to see if it violated broadcast decency standards. -- Title 18 United States Code, Section 1464, under which the FCC is authorized to penalize stations that air obscene or indecent material. In doing so the FCC may revoke a station license, issue a warning or impose a monetary forfeiture for the broadcast of obscene or indecent material. (http://www.fcc.gov)
Clear Channel owns and operates ~1170 radio and 19 television stations' in the US and has equity interests in over 240 radio stations internationally.
Prosecutors in Colorado recently sentenced Steven Meade KBPI's DJ to 24 one-hour counseling sessions of people convicted of cruelty to animals as well as a fine of $991 and court cost of $400 which will go to the Animal Protection Fund. He will also serve 10 hours of community service to benefit animals for tossing a live hen out of 3rd-story windows. Meade was convicted in January 2001 of 1 count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals for throwing a hen out a 3rd floor window in February 2000. Meade still faces separate charges in Boulder for encouraging listeners last year to take their 4 wheel drive vehicles onto sensitive habitat for what's been dubbed a Mudfest.
Todd Clem a.k.a. Bubba the Love Sponge, WXTB radio DJ has been charged with 3rd degree felony animal cruelty along with 3 others for the 2/27/01 on air torture and slaughter of a wild boar. Clear Channel Communications (CCU) owns the radio station, and said in a statement it found the actions of Clem and the producer distasteful but not illegal.
Mike Gallagher planned an on air animal slaughter for his nationally syndicated radio show on 3/22/01. Gallagher tape-recorded the steer's execution, and then played it for 129 stations during a live broadcast at Capital Music Hall in Wheeling, VA. The steer named Old Blue was purchased for $850 from David Hall, a hobby farmer. WWVA's General Manager Larry Anderson stated, "from my standpoint, the steer we're talking about was already headed for the slaughterhouse anyway. It's not somebody's pet. Some people are trying to make it an animal rights issue. They're trying to make it look like it's something that wasn't going to happen to the animal anyway."
KEGL-FM in Dallas fed a rabbit to a snake on the air. The station was forced to record a public apology on the air and publicize animal welfare information on their web site.
Clear Channels second quarter after-tax-cash flow totaled 74 cents a share in April, 2001, compared to February's 86 cents a share. On April 27th, shares fell 4.4 percent or $2.56 per share to $56.20 per share in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
References:
| Animals Deserve Absolute Protection Today & Tomorrow (ADAPTT.org) |
The Associated Press |
| People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) |
U. of Southern Florida Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (USFSETA) |
| Citizens Concerns |
In Defense of Animals |
| The Humane Society of the United States |