Controversies and Criticism

Clear Channel As The "Media Monster"
After the 1996 Telecommunications Act was passed restrictions on media ownership were lifted. Clear Channel dominated the industry steadily increasing the number of stations they owned. Since then Clear Channel has became the number 1 radio company in the United States making it quite impossible for competitors and independents to compete.

September 11,2001

Blacklisting of Songs that expressed their political view
 This list is not conclusive, the total list is about 150 songs

Alice In Chains, "Rooster"
Alice In Chains, "Sea of Sorrow"
Alice In Chains, "Down in a Hole"
Alice In Chains, "Them Bones"
Beastie Boys, "Sure Shot"
Beastie Boys, "Sabotage"
The Cult, "Fire Woman"
Everclear, "Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)"
Filter, Hey Man, "Nice Shot"
Foo Fighters, "Learn to Fly"
Savage Garden, "Crash and Burn"
Dave Matthews Band, "Crash Into Me"
Bangles, "Walk Like an Egyptian"
Pretenders, "My City Was Gone"
Alanis Morissette, "Ironic"
Barenaked Ladies, "Falling for the First Time"
Fuel, "Bad Day"
Korn, "Falling Away From Me"
Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Aeroplane"
Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Under the Bridge"
Smashing Pumpkins, "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"
Peter Gabriel, "When You're Falling"
System Of A Down, "Chop Suey!"
Lenny Kravitz, "Fly Away"
Tom Petty, "Free Fallin'"
Bruce Springsteen, "I'm On Fire"
Bruce Springsteen, "Goin' Down"
Phil Collins, "In the Air Tonight"
Limp Bizkit, "Break Stuff"
Green Day, "Brain Stew"


Dixie Chicks Scandal

"we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas"

Clear Channel country station KAJA in San Antonio, where Clear Channel is headquartered, banned the Dixie Chicks after lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President George Bush for ignoring public opposition to the war in Iraq. This ban set off a frenzy of Dixie Chicks blacklisting nationwide at stations owned by Clear Channel and Cumulus Media (CMLS), among others.


Pro-War Rallies

Holding rallies that have attracted over 20,000 people...accused for manufacturing the news.

Censorship

Clear Channel As "Thought Police"

Clear Channel has been criticized for censoring opinions critical of George Bush and other Republicans

ex.
Clear Channel-owned KTVX was the only local television station which refused to air the paid political message of Cindy Sheehan against the war in Iraq.


Payola

The promoters were essentially paying radio stations to broadcast the songs of artists the promoters represented.

Animal Cruelty

Animal advocates were outraged after shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge tortured a wild boar on air for ratings in 2001.