NeighborWorks AmericaRedskinsRed Zebra says when it comes to using “Washington Redskins” – the FCC should butt out. Activist and George Washington U. Professor John Banzhaf has filed a formal petition to deny license renewal for DC-market WWXX Oakland, Virginia (94.3) and Red Zebra wastes no time returning fire. It says “Under the Communications Act and the First Amendment, the FCC should not be in the business of censoring the content of radio stations.” Wiley Rein’s Andrew McBride says “We hope the FCC will swiftly reject this transparent attempt to use the license renewal process to intimidate broadcasters across the country with the baseless threat that accurately reporting on the Washington Redskins by using the team’s full name violates any law or FCC regulation.” Red Zebra, which shares ownership with the NFL team itself, admits there’s “a public debate” about the name. But it says “no government agency could ban the use of the word ‘Redskins’’’ because it’s objectionable to some – and on the basis of past FCC rulings, it’s right. Read the Red Zebra response to Professor Banzhaf’s petition here. But even if the FCC tosses this objection, Banzhaf says he’ll file against a station that’s not owned by Red Zebra. He’s not going away. At least team owner Dan Snyder got some good news over the weekend – yesterday his team outlasted the Tennessee Titans, 19-17.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:01:18 +0000