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Originally Posted by ubertuber
No one here says that "he can't say that." What we saying is that CBS doesn't have to let him say it with their voice. How's that for "idiotic"?
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Precisely. The freedom to express oneself does not require others to make sure that expression is heard, nor does it obligate anyone to listen. We're free to express ourselves (within certain limits, such as the "yelling fire in a crowded theater" example that is often used, and obscenity, which has been held not to be protected speech). The FCC, which would be the arm of the government that would be involved here, isn't going to do anything, and therefore, it's a matter of discrimination not censorship. CBS and MSNBC can discriminate against folks that speak as Imus did, and the goverment isn't going to tell them they can't. Nor is the goverment going to tell them they have to shut him up.
It's really not that hard of a concept, and I can't help but wonder why some are trying to blur the lines between censorship by the public body--usually a prior restraint of speech--and retribution by a private party. It's not even apples and oranges, which are at least both fruits. It's apples and marbles.
JcS