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NY Post Report: Sirius Self-Censorship In Development
January 23, 2006 at 6:07 AM (PT)
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The NEW YORK POST's MONDAY editions are carrying a front-page story claiming that its sources tell it SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO is "developing an internal standards-and-practices document that will set boundaries for" HOWARD STERN and other hosts on the satellite service.
The article by DON KAPLAN describes the document as a "move toward self-censorship" reacting to Congressional pressure to regulate content on cable and satellite TV and radio. STERN has a dump button in his new studio, but unlike at his terrestrial show, where others manned the delay, STERN is in control of the button and uses it to avoid libel. The article notes that XM SATELLITE RADIO has "had guidelines in place for some time."
STERN's comment about the report on MONDAY's show is that the cover story and resultant TV coverage "will only sell more satellite radios... I think it's terrific," adding that the FCC has "no jurisdiction in this area... you'd have to close down HBO, TIME WARNER... the whole thing doesn't make any sense. It's weird." STERN said there are "no limits" in his contract and said that the story came from someone having "overheard a conversation"; he said that he has not participated in any discussions regarding scnsorship and will not participate in any such discussions.

