Why is there a difference between what some radio stations can have said on the air and others?

I listen to Opie and Anthony in the morning, and have no problem with the words they're allowed to use on the air. But what I do have a problem with is understanding why it is that other stations have to beep words like "drugs" in songs, and talk in code about sex. Doesn't the FCC only have one policy regarding what's considered obscene on the radio? Why do different stations have different swearing allowances?

You want the real answer? Here it is in a nutshell. The FCC controls these things in the US.

The FCC will NOT give specific examples of what is objectionable and what is not. All they've done is give a 10PM time zone on some matters.

Stations test the limits. Sometimes they get bit. Rarely will the FCC act without a complaint from an individual or group devoted to this sort of thing.

So there are many agendas at play: from the Commission (charged with controlling the airwaves); to station management (charged with selling ads and making money); to programming and talent (charged with attracting listeners); to groups and individuals who can't learn to turn the knob when they hear something they don't like (not charged with anything, they just stick their noses in other people's business because it gives them pleasure).

It's not black, it's not white, it's just ludicrous (the word, not the rapper). All other enforcing agencies have specifics for when you break the rules. The radio groups have been begging the FCC to give them specifics for years, to no avail.

So groups, stations and talent interpret the vagaries as best they can. And busybodies sit by their tape recorders hoping to catch someone in an error. And woe be to the jock who goofs up!
- a guy named duh

PS: As to the O&A thing. The Commission has said that certain words/subjects used in "the heat of the moment," are not chargeable as they are spontaneous. This is as opposed to the continuous tenor of a particular air talent or radio/TV show.

a lot as to do with the station owners guide lines, also people who advertise on radio play a major part in what can and will be played and what will not.
Also the age the show is aimed at as well plays a part in it then it can be a bit of the DJ themselves may just beep it out.

regards x Kitti x

I would say there listening base has a lot to do with it. The ones that can not keep it clean are pushing the envelope. Some of the owners of a particular station may not allow foul crude language so it is beeped out.
I have come to believe that nothing is set in stone these days. I am sure the FCC does have rules, they are just not enforced until the public brings ti to there attention. Now Satellite Radio has no controls that I can see. Anyone who puts Gross Howard Stern needs to evaluate his morals.

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a new policy regarding indecency. Basically, if a community where the show is broadcast finds certain language unacceptable, the station can be fined $277,000 per incident. This includes innuendos and context. So if the word 'drugs' is used in a song, and the context is violates indecency guidelines (like: drugs make you cool), they are opening themselves up to a fine. And if a nationally syndicated show, such as O&A, carried on affilates are in volation, each affiliate must pay that same fine per incident. So to play it safe, many words and phrases in questionable context are edited.

The FCC policy is very vauge and their decisions have not been favorable to broadcast companies and air personalities in the past.

It

I work in radio. The FCC's rules and regulations are very vauge and unclear. We all have to guess what is okay and what isn't. We have to tip toe on the line and hope that what we say will not be considered obscene. Some get away with saying things, others don't. It all depends on who is listening and the sensitive people who contact the FCC to complain. There is no set list of words that are not allowed to say.
This is straight from FCC.gov "It is a violation of federal law to air obscene programming at any time. It is also a violation of federal law to air indecent programming or profane language during certain hours." Theres no real definition of what they don't approve. According to them its a case by case situation that really deals with the context of which the obscene material was said. It's very confusing and frustrating.