Shock jock codes of conduct
Don Imus is a jackass and deserves everything that's coming to him. Anyone who thinks they can get away with a) racism and b) sexism directed towards c) some of America's top student-athletes d) on a national radio broadcast...has got to be crazy or have a death wish. And the backlash is reassuring.
But this episode got me thinking. Imus and radio hosts like him are basically paid to be offensive, outrageous, and even bigoted. The shock is what brings in the audience. At the same time, they inevitably face suspension or firing when they cross the line and say something that inspires widespread public outrage and the loss of advertiser dollars. They ride a fine line.
How does one know what will be outrageous enough to draw an audience, but not outrageous enough to get cancelled? Do you think that there is any kind of general agreement or code of conduct between shock jocks and their employers about what topics are strictly off limits vs. fair game? From here, the line seems to be drawn on an ad hoc basis.
But this episode got me thinking. Imus and radio hosts like him are basically paid to be offensive, outrageous, and even bigoted. The shock is what brings in the audience. At the same time, they inevitably face suspension or firing when they cross the line and say something that inspires widespread public outrage and the loss of advertiser dollars. They ride a fine line.
 | Lisa Wanless, Systems Analyst "Cut Imus some slack. The man is under immense pressure to be an asshole every single morning." (The Onion) |
Labels: celebrities, media
posted by Waage on Wednesday, April 11, 2007
1 Comments:
I remember listening to Imus on my parents' radio while I was growing up in NJ in the 70s. He was kind of a loudmouth, but back then it was acceptable as part of the loud/agressive NJ/NY culture. If he could just go back to his roots and leave out the insults, he could perhaps find that happy medium again.
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