In the past few decades, we have had what are known as “shock jocks,” disc jockeys and radio hosts who entertain some listeners by going against the grain while on the air. They attract attention by pushing the envelope as much as they can, until the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) clamps down on the owners of the station. Often, fines are levied in hopes that the company can reprimand their disc jockeys and get them to conform to the rules.
It’s a “catch-22” in some cases, because although some listeners find certain comments offensive, the overall number of listeners increases significantly. More listeners, more sponsorship, equals more revenue for the station. Some radio stations have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars, and as a result, on-air personalities and their producers have been fired.
