Radio Humor can lead to Soap on a Rope (if you know what I mean)

USLaw

The firestorm that has erupted over the sublte prejudice protrayed by Shock Jock Don Imus’ comments about the Rutgers Women’s basketball team, brings to mind a littany of controversial legal matters involving radio disc jockeys in the last few years. So far, Imus has received a two week suspension. Most often disc jockeys get fired. On other occassions, monetary fines, criminal charges, and far worse fates than public humiliation befall those involved in radio stunts gone awry.

Holy Union: In August 2002, Infinity Broadcasting’s “Anthony and Opie” show in New York broadcast a couple having sex from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The couple was were arrested after an usher spotted the half-naked woman next to the man zipping up his fly and charged with public lewdness, obscenity and exposure. Anthony and Opie were fired. Infinity paid a $357,000 FCC fine. The women ultimately plead guilty to a minor charge and avoided jail time. The biggest punishment of all? Her boy friend died at his home before the case was concluded.

You’re in Trouble: In January 2007, a 28 year old women died after drinking nearly two gallons of water attempting to win a Nintendo Wii video game system in a competition sponsored by a Sacremento, California radio station. The County investigated to determine if criminal charges were warranted. The district attorney’s office concluded that “no duty or special relationship existed or was created between the radio station and/or its employees and [the deceased] Strange because of the contest… [She] was was an adult who was voluntarily participating in the radio contest.. She knew what the contest involved when she entered it, and had the option to stop or discontinue her participation in the contest at any time.” No criminal charges were filed.

See other famous shock jock brushes with the law.

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Radio Humor can lead to Soap on a Rope (if you know what I mean)

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