Comedy Bloghorn #3
From CBS in Los Angeles:
(Los Angeles) City Council members took a step closer on Wednesday to becoming the first in the nation to adopt a resolution condemning certain types of speech on public airwaves.
The legislation would seek to bug media companies to “ensure ‘on-air hosts do not use and promote racist and sexist slurs’ on radio and other broadcasts.”
If they think they can restrict the speech of radio hosts…
Is there a window open? We feel a chill.
Well, they passed it. By a 13-2 margin.
If you think this won’t affect comedians, we note that three of our FB comic friends have announced– in just the past week– that they have landed radio gigs. Their gigs are not in Los Angeles, but how long before other knucklehead city council members in other cities get it in their peabrains to pass similar resolutions?
Really, what’s the harm. All your wiseguy comedy friends have to do is avoid “racist” and “sexist” comments and they’ll be all right.
We roll our eyes as we type: Just who will determine which statements are “racist” or “sexist?” Can you see where this might lead? Such hamstrung radio personalities will avoid entire stories or topics altogether for fear of crossing some vague line and jeopardizing their livelihoods. That’s no way to treat the talent. And it’s no way to treat a Constitution. After too long, people on the radio will avoid talking about women altogether and avoiding any person or topic that involves race in any way, shape or form.
Sounds fascinating.
So the next time Mel Gibson gets arrested, they won’t allow the news stations to run the footage?