Free Speech Endangered Again

My mouth is literally hanging open. This makes me LIVID! And not just because I'm an O&A fan. Some third party made joking comments about having sex with Condoleeza Rice and The Queen and they get SUSPENDED for it?! For 30 days?!

So much for satellite radio being a medium where shock jocks can get away with anything. XM Satellite Radio announced Tuesday that the network was suspending Gregg “Opie” Hughes and Anthony Cumia and ceasing to broadcast their “Opie and Anthony” show for 30 days effective immediately.

The two came under fire last week after they aired a segment that featured a homeless person saying he wanted to have sex with Condoleeza Rice, Laura Bush and Queen Elizabeth. The two even joked about Rice being raped and punched in the face.

Although the shock jocks apologized on Monday’s show, XM did not seem satisifed with their remarks. “XM Radio deplored the comments aired on “The Opie & Anthony Show” last week. At the time, the company strongly expressed its views to Opie and Anthony, and they issued an immediate apology,” the company said in the statement.

“Comments made by Opie and Anthony on yesterday’s broadcast put into question whether they appreciate the seriousness of the matter. The management of XM Radio decided to suspend Opie and Anthony to make clear that our on-air talent must take seriously the responsibility that creative freedom requires of them,” the company added.