Clear Channel Settles Indecency Complaints

U.S. radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. agreed to pay a record $1.75 million to settle federal complaints that it aired indecent comments by Howard Stern and other disc jockeys.

The fine, announced by the Federal Communications Commission, is the largest ever for a television or radio company accused of indecency violations. The penalty exceeds the $1.7 million paid by Viacom Inc.’s Infinity Broadcasting for remarks by Stern in 1995.

“We didn’t agree that all the complaints were legally indecent, but some clearly crossed the line, and for those we have taken full responsibility,” Clear Channel Executive Vice President Andrew Levin said.