The Outlaws

Opie and Anthony
There have been some examples of broadcasters who have been punished for activities. Opie and Anthony were pulled off the air last year when they had an explicit contest with listeners who had to have sex in public places around New York City for "points." When one of the couples got caught in St. Patrick's Cathedral, the hammer was dropped on Opie and Anthony because they encouraged someone to do something illegal and then broadcasted it. I must say that I was listening that day and thought it was one of the most entertaining and funny shows I have ever listened to, probably because of the shock value. That being said, I don't question the decision to fire those guys. They encouraged someone to do something illegal and broadcasted it. I loved that show and I wish it was still on, but I know that isn't right.

Bubba the Love Sponge
Then the case of "Bubba the Love Sponge" happened in the last week. I don't know who "Bubba the Love Sponge" is, and I have never heard the show, but he was fired last week after accruing a $755,000 fine based on the complaints of one man to the FCC. I have heard about some of the antics of "Bubba" and maybe some reprimanding was in order.

The Snitch

There is a bigger problem here with the way the FCC works. Obviously the FCC can't monitor all shows all the time. I don't think anybody in his or her right mind would expect such a thing. They should be using a different system for determining where and when fines should be levied. After digging through some articles about the "Bubba" firing, I found that the action by the FCC was brought on by the complaining of a single person, Douglas Vanderlaan, who has been on a three year crusade to try and get the FCC to do something about the "Bubba" program.

(FirstCoastNews.com)

Douglas Vanderlaan is a scientist by profession, and a dad who's top priority is caring for his two sons. Three years ago, he listened to Clear Channel's 'Planet Radio' in Jacksonville, in the middle of a "Bubba the Love Sponge" show featuring a porn-star who went on to give listeners the web address of her personal site.

"The more I listened, the more irresponsible content I heard," said Vanderlaan. "I just felt this sense of purpose when I first heard that radio broadcast. I thought, 'somebody ought to do something. Why not me'."

So Vanderlaan recorded several 'Bubba' shows, and joined forces with a broadcast attorney in Washington, D.C., to file a formal complaint with the FCC. That complaint eventually resulted in the $755,000 fine.