November 24, 200421 yr FCC fines WQAM $55,000 for sexually explicit broadcast By Alexandra Navarro Clifton Business Writer Posted November 24 2004 The Federal Communications Commission has fined Beasley Broadcasting Group Inc. station WQAM, AM 560, in Miami $55,000 for broadcasting sexually explicit material. The fines result from two broadcasts in September 2003 of The Scott Ferrall Show on the mostly sports station. The FCC said parts of each show contained material that violated the agency's indecency standard because it was explicit and aired during morning hours when children might have heard it. The fine is the maximum under law for each broadcast. In responding to a complaint to the FCC, Beasley said it didn't have a tape or transcript of the show and could not determine if the alleged indecency aired. But the Naples-based company did not deny that the show had aired. If it did air, the material was not indecent, Beasley told the FCC, according to the order. Beasley officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Miami attorney Jack Thompson, who also complained to the FCC about indecency on Howard Stern's radio show, filed the complaint against Beasley and The Scott Ferrall Show. "When I first heard the show, I thought this is way over the line," said Thompson. Ferrall, who joined WQAM in May 2003 and was fired in November 2003 for repeated off-color remarks, now works in Chicago. Alex Clifton can be reached at anclifton@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6529. This doesn't help them pay for the Marlins now does it?
November 24, 200421 yr Author He threatened a caller with personal harm including rape of his children and wife. He also talked about the threatened child molestations in full, vivid detail. This is according to the FCC complaint summary I saw.
November 24, 200421 yr He threatened a caller with personal harm including rape of his children and wife. He also talked about the threatened child molestations in full, vivid detail. This is according to the FCC complaint summary I saw. 621116[/snapback] WOW then they really deserve it that's like wanting to eat the guys kids. God, I hate the FCC They actually were justified in fining them.
November 24, 200421 yr Author From the Miami Herald The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday levied the maximum $55,000 fine against Miami's WQAM-AM 560 for airing graphic descriptions of rape, sodomy and child molestation during the now-defunct Scott Ferrall Show in 2003. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/10257642.htm
November 24, 200421 yr Author Who the hell appointed the FCC anyways? 621129[/snapback] Michael K. Powell Chairman Bio Kathleen Q. Abernathy Commissioner Bio Michael J. Copps Commissioner Bio Kevin J. Martin Commissioner Bio Jonathan S. Adelstein Commissioner Bio Stats: 3 Republicans (Powell, Abernathy, Martin) and 2 Democrats (Copps, Adelstein) 2 Democrats dissent frequently saying that 3 Republicans do not fine enough for indecency. All 5 appointed by Bush, but they come from all walks of life. WQAM fine was overwhelming as it was the maximum allowed by the laws passed by Congress since 1921.
November 24, 200421 yr Author This got sidetracked, but the topic is this $55,000 could make the Marlins decide against WQAM. WQAM may not be able to pay as much for the rights and may lose them.
November 24, 200421 yr Why should there by a FCC? I thought this was a free country....? 621139[/snapback] Not when you threaten in detail how you will rape and sodomize someones wife and CHILDREN. :plain
November 24, 200421 yr Author Why should there by a FCC? I thought this was a free country....? 621139[/snapback] Because when the public gives its airwave to broadcasters to use for free and profit from, they expect decent programming. If you have a problem contact Congress or get a satellite radio. The FCC also handles th technical side so radio stations don't interfere with each other (US only) and don't break the laws (broadcast at too high a power and hurt people around tower).
November 25, 200421 yr He threatened a caller with personal harm including rape of his children and wife. He also talked about the threatened child molestations in full, vivid detail. 621116[/snapback] Wow...that's appropriate
November 25, 200421 yr I don't understand. WQAM took care of the problem by firing his ass. Why fine WQAM? Fine the host.
November 25, 200421 yr I don't understand. WQAM took care of the problem by firing his ass. Why fine WQAM? Fine the host. 621206[/snapback] I agree....unless WQAM knew that he was planning on doing this...there isnt really much that they can do about it. If its not a previously recorded show...and its on the air live....how could they stop it??
November 25, 200421 yr Why should there by a FCC? I thought this was a free country....? 621139[/snapback] Not when you threaten in detail how you will rape and sodomize someones wife and CHILDREN. :plain 621142[/snapback] Yeah, in this case they are justified. I still hate the FCC.
November 25, 200421 yr Author Hey capefish, how was church the last couple of days? 621256[/snapback] I haven't been to church in years. (Bad ole me) WQAM got fined because of the rules of their license. It is the same principle as allowing open beer containers in your vehicle and recieving a ticket or points on your license because you were caught, even though the driver didn't have them. WQAM is responsible for what they air and they aired this without delay and willingly allowed Ferrall to go back on the air after the statement and continue saying it another day.
November 25, 200421 yr Author The Commission received complaints alleging that Station WQAM(AM) aired indecent material on the ?Scott Ferrall Show? between 8:40 and 9:05 a.m. on September 9, 2003, and between 8:05 and 9:55 a.m. on September 10, 2003.3 Because the Complaints contained potentially indecent material that aired between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., the Enforcement Bureau (?Bureau?) issued a letter of inquiry to the licensee.4 In its response to the Bureau?s inquiry, Beasley Group, the parent company of WQAM, states that it has neither a tape nor a transcript of the complained-of broadcasts and cannot determine whether it actually aired the complained-of material.5 Nevertheless, Beasley Group does not deny that the material aired as stated in the Complaints, and maintains instead that, even if it aired the material, it was not actionably indecent.6 Specifically, Beasley Group states that the material provided ?no surrounding context . . . instead noting particular words or phrases in isolation,? and that ?[w]ithout a sufficient transcript? of the broadcast, ?the Commission cannot objectively determine what in fact aired on the Station and whether the terms were used in the context of sexual or excretory description.?7 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/atta...CC-04-225A1.pdf
November 25, 200421 yr Hey capefish, how was church the last couple of days? 621256[/snapback] You don't have to be a religous freak to condemn this. The FCC did the right thing. You don't have to be a citizen of "Jesusland" to see how bad his statements were. He threatened to rape a women and children. :plain
November 25, 200421 yr He threatened a caller with personal harm including rape of his children and wife. He also talked about the threatened child molestations in full, vivid detail. This is according to the FCC complaint summary I saw. 621116[/snapback] f***ing disgusting and a total disgrace to the "flagship station of the Florida Marlins." Did 560 fire him? If I were the Marlins, i'd refuse to even consider a deal from 560 unless they got rid of Ferral or whatever the hell that scumbags name is.
November 25, 200421 yr Author WQAM fired him last year. I had posted a note here on the boards but did not know the incident. Ironically, I actually liked Ferrall, but after this he can stay away. He moved on to Atlanta and recently was spotted in New York and Chicago.
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