Legal Question in Personal Injury in Mississippi

Juvenile given a sex-line number by radio DJ

Last Thursday, March 23, 2000 I dialed the number of a local radio station for my 9 year-old son so that he could obtain a telephone number they had been promoting where listeners could talk to members of the popular group "NSYNC". He was asked his name and age, which he provided, then, after being put on hold briefly, he was given an 800 prefix number. When he dialed this number, he listened for a few moments then told me he didn't think it was the right number. I listened and discovered that he had been given a phone sex line number. The FM station has "disciplined" the DJ and I filed a criminal complaint with the county sheriff's dept. Neither of these seem to be going anywhere. Are there any other remedies I might consider seeking, civil or criminal?

The station has acknowledged (privately to me) that this actually occurred, and has offered my son various small gifts (CDs, etc.) to placate us, I assume.


Asked on 3/30/00, 3:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dennis Harmon Dennis Harmon

Re: Juvenile given a sex-line number by radio DJ

The first place to go is the FCC, Federal Communications Commission. File a formal written complaint and ask when the license renewal comes up. Your complaint will be considered in the license renewal whether you complain further or not. You can comment at license renewal time.

As to further court action: consider first the effects on your child. He will need to testify repeatedly about what he heard. Will this make matters worse?

There is no direct case I know of that controls this. Perhaps new law needs to be made. After considering the effect on your child, let me know if you wish to look at legal action.

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Answered on 4/13/00, 11:43 am


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