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XM Radio Suspends Shock Jocks for Condi, Bush Rape Talk

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NEW YORK -- Ribald radio show hosts "Opie & Anthony" were suspended for 30 days after a guest spoke about forcing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and first lady Laura Bush to have sex with him, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. said Tuesday.

In the latest flap over the commentary of radio shock jocks, the company that carries "Opie & Anthony," XM Satellite, said it "deplored" the remarks made about a week ago on the program, hosted by Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia.

The hosts issued an apology soon after the original airing, but XM Satellite said it was not convinced the two were sincere.

"Comments made by Opie and Anthony on yesterday's broadcast put into question whether they appreciate the seriousness of the matter," the company said in a statement.

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"The management of XM Radio decided to suspend Opie and Anthony to make clear that our on-air talent must take seriously the responsibility that creative freedom requires of them."

Last month, CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus after he referred to a Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves said at the time CBS was "deeply upset and revulsed by the statements."

But while CBS Radio is a traditional broadcaster bound by U.S. indecency rules, satellite radio has touted its ability to remain a haven of uncensored, freewheeling speech.

Shock jock Howard Stern left CBS at the end of 2006 after signing a $500 million contract with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., and has said his decision was an effort to flee broadcast censorship.

Sirius, which has agreed to merge with XM Satellite, was not immediately available for comment on the Opie & Anthony decision.

CBS Radio, a unit of CBS Corp., simulcasts a censored daily version of XM Satellite's Opie & Anthony show, and said it still plans to run the program.

The hosts have gotten into hot water before. They were fired from a New York radio station over a sexually explicit broadcast in 2002.

XM Satellite shares closed down 2.5 percent to $10.62, while Sirius closed off 1.4 percent to $2.73, both on Nasdaq.

© Reuters 2007.

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