Limbaugh's Apology "Not Good Enough"

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It was the statement heard around the world:

“Susan fluke, who goes before a Congressional Committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex, what does that make her? It makes her a slut, it makes her a prostitute,” said Rush Limbaugh on his show last Wednesday.

And finally, five days after the fact, and under pressure from advertisers, Limbaugh made a long-awaited apology for his remarks.

“Those two words were inappropriate,” said Limbaugh in a serious tone on his show this morning. “They were uncalled for, they distracted from the point that I was actually trying to make, and I again sincerely apologize to Miss Fluke.”

But “Miss Fluke” is having none of it. Fluke said in a statement that it doesn't change anything. And the Black Media Alliance agrees, saying that Limbaugh's apology doesn't even come close to repairing the damage.

Jasmyne Cannick of the Black Media Alliance says Limbaugh's comments are unacceptable, especially coming on the heels of KFI shock jocks “John and Ken” calling Whitney Houston a "crack ho" only three days after her death. Cannick says sexist and racist slurs have no place in talk radio.

“In 2012, it’s bad enough we have to hear it in rap music but we should definitely not have to hear it in talk radio. Rush Limbaugh and John and Ken are good at what they do but they've crossed a line now that can't be crossed again,” said Cannick.

The question is, where is the line in talk radio? The Alliance is criticizing Clear Channel for not having a clear guideline for what constitutes racist or sexist language on the air. The alliance points out an industry double standard--after John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou's comments on Whitney Houston, the hosts were suspended without pay. Meanwhile, Limbaugh was only forced to apologize.

“The thing is he's an 800-pound gorilla, so he's still the biggest syndicated talk show host out there,” explained Michael Schneider. Schneider, an expert on TV and Radio coverage, says it's all about money. Limbaugh may have lost seven advertisers so far, but Schneider said:

“He's playing the long-term game, so if he loses a few advertisers for now it won't impact him that much. Most of these things die out.”

The Black Media Alliance says that's exactly what Clear Channel is hoping for. So far, Clear Channel has been conspicuously silent on an issue that continues to rattle the airwaves.