Can you say God D@mn on air?

[DIEVERBRENNUNG]

Many of todays announcers seem to have been born on SHIFFER Island. Cause, anyone who needs to say GD on the air has SHIFFER brains.

No wonder so many people want jockless radio. These guys should go to the toilet. Close the door and enjoy
your artistic freedom there.

He's asking about a song, not a jock. Pay attention, man.

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Throughout the years, I have had employees who wanted to push the envelope. Some wanted to
outdo Bob $ Tom. Others wanted to play the four letter words. But, not one of them would have
been willing to face the consequences. The fine would have been mine. Lost sponsors would have
been mine too.

A university or employer who puts you on the air trusts you. Don't abuse this trust by doing something
that may bring them harm. And, there is editing software if the song is so important.

 

[justalurker]

He's asking about a song, not a jock. Pay attention, man.

The thread has discussed both aspects ... and while the rough language might be more acceptable (if at all) within a song it is still content that is being put out across the station, whether spoken by the DJ or played.

The FCC will step in if the words refer to sexual or excretory activities and are used inappropriately. Blasphamy isn't illegal on it's face but community standards can come in to play ... even if that community includes people who would never listen to the crap that the station is playing. There are plenty of people pushing the envelope of crude crud ... with the fines to show when the line was crossed. I'm surprised that the FCC has not been more stringent in enforcement.

As far as the audience goes ... if you want to narrow your audience to those not offended by the use of such terms and write them off that is the station's decision. Most stations err on the side of caution, so if you do decide to say the words or play uncensored songs with the words you better have the ratings to back yourself up. (Remembering, of course, to edit the DJ and songs for the words the FCC will fine you for.)

There are others who will gladly take over after you're gone. So feel free.

 

[DIEVERBRENNUNG]

He's asking about a song, not a jock. Pay attention, man.

The thread has discussed both aspects ... and while the rough language might be more acceptable (if at all) within a song it is still content that is being put out across the station, whether spoken by the DJ or played.

The FCC will step in if the words refer to sexual or excretory activities and are used inappropriately. Blasphamy isn't illegal on it's face but community standards can come in to play ... even if that community includes people who would never listen to the crap that the station is playing. There are plenty of people pushing the envelope of crude crud ... with the fines to show when the line was crossed. I'm surprised that the FCC has not been more stringent in enforcement.

As far as the audience goes ... if you want to narrow your audience to those not offended by the use of such terms and write them off that is the station's decision. Most stations err on the side of caution, so if you do decide to say the words or play uncensored songs with the words you better have the ratings to back yourself up. (Remembering, of course, to edit the DJ and songs for the words the FCC will fine you for.)

There are others who will gladly take over after you're gone. So feel free.

You see, this is exactly what I was talking about when I said we need to quit being so damned risk-averse. It matters if it's a jock or a song, for one, because the context and audibility are completely different. For two, you are assuming all communities I've heard "god damn" played in songs from stations licensed in such conservative holes as Orleans, Seymour, Peoria, IL, etc. Nobody cares. The few that do call, complain, feel better, and nothing ever comes of it.

It's, again, a matter of knowing your audience. And if you don't know your audience well enough to know if such things will "play," you have no business making such decisions.

 

[cold_coffee]

I'm sure this makes them better stations. Really cool dude! It wouldn't be correct to
offend any other group though, right. Only the Christians are OK to target for this sort of
treatment. Thanks for sharing your enlightened mind.

 

[justalurker]

You see, this is exactly what I was talking about when I said we need to quit being so damned risk-averse.

Perhaps if you would read and understand entire posts it would help you debate better. Let us know when you graduate high school so we can explain it to you again.

Your experience is just one of millions. Others have experiences too. You're not the sole expert.

 

[DouglasB]

Well once is too much if a christian mom and her kids are in the car. Im a christian, but not conservative and I wouldnt want to hear gd on air.

With all due respect, it was a joke. Yes you can say it once. Then they show you the door, and the next mike you speak into you will say: "Do you want fries with that"?

 

[cold_coffee]

Why limit this to one word. Anyone who'd do this would also like to play the F and S words. Why
not? You want to be really cool.

So, here's how it goes down. The FCC fines the guy who gave you a gig. The licensee pays the
US Treasury. The licensee then is forced to sue you to recover damages. Furthermore, under
Indiana law you can't file bankrupcy to get out of a judgement based on misconduct on your part.
You can't harm others and just walk away.

 

[Radio Dav]

I wonder if I could get away with saying the F word to you know being across the border from Brownsville TX.

Would the Mexican authorities put up with this?

Don't have to worry about the FCC fines, sometimes doing this might pull the ratings up because people wonder what the person is going to say next...

 

[Tom Wells]

Hmm...Some of the music on my Pt 15 AM uses the phrase, but not in the modern way, more in the old-cowboy cussing way.
And while I'd never use the phrase on air, it IS a particularly very strong from of emphasis that should be limited by good judgement
rather than official ruling.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Can you say it on the TV air? If you are CBS News 60 Minutes on Sunday evening Nov 1, 2009, sadly, the answer is yes.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

I was going to make a post very similar to Bob's this morning ... but Bob is the earlier riser.

 

[Timewarp]

I heard it as well. This is no surprise. Turn on the tube and within 15 minutes someone will say "Kiss my ass".
This has been going on for more than a decade.

The big guys are playing a different game than the small broadcaster.

About 10 percent of the population is impressed by foul language. That's why we have trashy movies with no
plot, just four letter words and violence. There are decent ratings to be made .from the gutter. The big boys consider breaking rules and paying fines part of the cost of doing business. If they can improve ratings and make money despite he fine, it's called profit and good business.

For a small station, a large FCC fine can spell death. Expect not only the jock to be fired. But, his boss
as well. The station likely will not have the money for the fine. So, the treasury can sell the station license
at a sheriff's sale.

All the time I hear rebel wannabes say the big boys played this four letter word. Why don't we dare? Answer.
There's no we here. Get your own damn station license. Have the guts to put your own ass on the line for your enlightened cause.

I don't think a toilet for a mouth makes you so cool.

 

[MightyFrenchman]

Don't pay attention to all the easily offended Christians in the room here, man. Pay attention to your audience.

if you are running a hard rock, indie rock, rap/r&b or similar 12-30 demographic-oriented format, I'd say go for it. It preserves the integrity of the music.

However, it's about time we radio folks quit being so god damned risk-averse. If you produce a top-quality sound, and stay consistent within your values, your audience will maintain. And know what your values are.

Wass'up......man? Hypocrites like you really crack me up. You advocate saying gd on the air and with the same breath talk about integrity and values.

Let us all know if you get a job in radio, what the station call letters are, what your on-air name is and if the station broadcasts over the internet. I personally will make a point to listen & if I hear you utter the words gd, I will personally write a complaint to the FCC. Have a good day.

 

[gr8oldies]

OK, maybe you can. In most cases, I wouldn't recomend it.

 

[jimwalsh2001]

Doesn't bother me. Let the stations decide whether they want to allow it, and let the listeners vote with their button-pushing fingers.

Sadly...some true believers would like to decide for all of us...

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Doesn't bother me. Let the stations decide whether they want to allow it, and let the listeners vote with their button-pushing fingers.

Sadly...some true believers would like to decide for all of us...

Using your thinking, I made a huge mistake. 20 years ago, a preacher was on the air on my radio station
being hateful to gays and blacks. He actually used the bad words to insult them.

I pulled the plug and threw him out. And, He filed a complaint saying I had infringed on his freedom of speech.

The FCC said I did the right thing.

This world is not about you you you. And it's not about me me me. It's about all of us. And, we need to learn
to respect each others background. Using the above logic, we are never going to get along on this damn planet.

As a station owner, it was my job to be the one to hit the button.

 

[postmaster]

Uh, No! Why take the chance, you don't have to. You can get the point accross with out it...Take the high road...next question?

 

[cold_coffee]

Gee. The President's minister said it. This was put on the air as a news story. What happens
if a lowly jock does this? He is history and old news. End of Story.

 

[fwmw]

Gee. The President's minister said it. This was put on the air as a news story. What happens
if a lowly jock does this? He is history and old news. End of Story.

Nobody has mentioned context, so I will:

It's all about context.

If you need examples of "It's all about context," please tell me. Otherwise, I will strongly presume that everyone understands what I said.