Clear Channel put out this statement today:

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2004--Clear Channel (NYSE:CCU) today announced a strong new "Responsible Broadcasting Initiative" to make sure the material aired by its radio stations conforms to the standards and sensibilities of the local communities they serve.

"Clear Channel is serious about helping address the rising tide of indecency on the airwaves," said Mark Mays, president and COO of Clear Channel Communications. "As broadcast licensees, we are fully responsible for what our stations air, and we intend to make sure all our DJs and programmers understand what is and what is not appropriate on Clear Channel radio shows."

Mays said the company will institute a zero tolerance policy for indecent content which will include company-wide training and automatic suspensions for anyone that the FCC alleges has violated indecency rules on the air.

"If the FCC accuses us of wrongdoing by issuing a proposed fine, we will take immediate action," Mays said. "We will suspend the DJ in question, and perform a swift investigation. If we or the government ultimately determine the offending broadcast is indecent, the DJ will be terminated without delay," Mays said.

The concept of "changing the dial" is being forgotten by more and more radio listeners. But with the technology becoming less expensive, and the variety expanding by the day, satellite radio (offered by XM and Sirius) may wind up the real beneficiary of all the indecency handwringing. They're not bound by FCC regulations (yet.)

In fact, a Delhi "Roady" device now goes for $119 and an XM subscription is about $10 a month - with unlimited indecency on its stations.

UPDATE: (Via Drudge) Now CC is dropping Howard Stern. Memo to Pat Boone: Your agent may be getting a phone call about your availability for radio any time in the immediate future.