Howard Stern Makes a Call to the FCC

The self-proclaimed "King of All Media," Howard Stern accused FCC Chairman Michael Powell of being a regulator of "racketeering," when Stern called in to an interview Powell was doing at a radio show in San Francisco. His reason was because the FCC required radio stations to pay fines before they could appeal the violations in federal court.

"How did you get your job?" Stern asked Powell when Stern called in to KGO-AM, San Francisco. "Because it's apparent to most of us in broadcasting that your father got you your job."

According to the AP, Powell, who is the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell, appeared to hold his own under the assault.

"You can look at my resume if you want, Howard. I'm not ashamed of it, and I think it justifies my existence," Powell said, who listed his job history as a clerk for a federal judge to chief of staff of the FCC's anti-trust division. "I think it's a cheap shot to say just because my father is famous I don't belong in my position."

"It's not a cheap shot," said Stern. "For guys like me who came from nowhere out of nothing, who worked their way up . . . and have to answer to you . . . let's face it, you got to the head of the FCC, to the front of the class, the way George W. Bush got out of the draft."

Stern's show was dropped by Clear Channel in April following an FFC fine of $495,000 and record $1.75 million dollar settlement due to Stern's comments on his show. Stern, who has battled the FCC throughout his entire career, has recently announced he is moving his show to Sirius Satellite Radio when his current contract expires in 2006.