The Fall of Imus

Like Icarus of mythology, Don Imus allowed his own pride and arrogance to take him to heights and to places that he should not have gone. The result in Icarus’ case was that he flew too close to the sun and was destroyed. Imus flew into the furnace of public controversy over the mass commercialization of sexism and racism. The result is that he was fired by CBS network executive Leslie Moonves. We probably will never know for certain whether the firing was a result of a moral decision to reject the type of broadcasting material and the misogynist, racist and sexist segment of the population that feels entertained by the Imus brand of “humor,” or whether the decision was actually driven by the exodus of sponsors from the show. Moonves stated publicly that his decision was motivated by a desire to impact the culture in which Imus’ objectionable behavior flourishes. If we take Moonves at his word, then there is hope that the major networks can maintain some level of responsibility and accountability in relation to its national programming.

Lest anyone think that I am opposed to First Amendment freedoms, I would clarify that I do not believe that anyone but Don Imus should prevent Imus from saying what is in his mind and heart. Every citizen has that right. But the First Amendment does not guarantee the right to have one’s views broadcast over national airwaves and commercialized. Imus is free to stand on a corner soapbox and spew his brand of humor. He can record podcasts and internet videos that are available to those affirmatively seeking out such material. The CBS decision will not stamp out the vocally racist and sexist elements in our society. The fact that pandering to the basest elements of our culture can be profitable is no justification for abdicating the responsibility over what types of material is broadcast on national airwaves.

Imus expressed some doubt on the Rev. Al Sharpton radio program about whether he can reform or “clean up his act.” That process, consistent with the First Amendment, is up to Imus. But perhaps Don Imus can acknowledge that Moonves did the right thing for the right reason, and that brutally offending segments of the population based upon racist and sexist attitudes for sport and humor is neither funny nor as commercially viable as it once was. If Don Imus is the talented broadcaster and entertainer that many admire, and if what he said is not what is in his heart, then he may be able to rise from the ashes and begin anew on the commercial airwaves. Unlike Icarus, he has a second chance.