Federal regulators stepped up their campaign against indecency, proposing a $247,500 fine Friday against the nation's largest radio chain for a Washington-based show.
The Federal Communications Commission cited Clear Channel Communications' "Elliot in the Morning" show for nine alleged violations "that involved graphic and explicit sexual material, and were designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners."
The FCC proposed the maximum fine of $27,500 per incident.
"Elliot in the Morning" is heard on WWDC in Washington; WRXL in Richmond, Va.; and WOSC in Bethany Beach, Del.
The fine comes amid heightened public and political pressure on broadcasters to clean up their programming. On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would boost the maximum indecency fine to $500,000 per incident.
Last month, the FCC proposed a record $755,000 fine against Clear Channel for airing raunchy content on the "Bubba the Love Sponge" show in Florida. The disc jockey of that show was fired by Clear Channel, which did not contest the fine.