The U.S. House of Representatives approved overwhelmingly June 7 a bill that will produce a tenfold increase in fines for indecency on television and radio.
The House voted 379–35 for the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, which will increase the maximum federal fine for each broadcast violation from $32,500 to $325,000.
The Senate passed the same bill, S. 193, in May. President George W. Bush has said he will sign it into law.
Congressional supporters of the legislation, as well as pro-family advocates, have been pushing for increased fines in recent years, believing the larger penalties will work to reduce television and radio programming considered indecent by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The president commended Congress for approving the measure.
“I believe that government has a responsibility to help strengthen families,” Bush said in a written statement, adding the bill would make television and radio “more family friendly.”
Sen. Sam Brownback, R–Kan., chief sponsor of the bill, called the House vote a “victory for children and families. Raising the fines for abusing the public airwaves will hold broadcasters accountable for the content and consequences of their media.”
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said in a written release, “No longer will indecency fines be considered by major media broadcasters as an insignificant cost of doing business. The era of ‘slap on the wrist’ has ended. … The message is simple — clean up or pay up!”
Pro-family organizations have long criticized the sexual content, plus obscene and profane language, on prime-time television.
The 2004 Super Bowl halftime show pushed the issue into the national spotlight and motivated Congress to take action.
Justin Timberlake’s uncovering of one of Janet Jackson’s breasts on national television capped a controversial show and brought a deluge of criticism from many Americans, including legislators and the FCC.
House sponsors decided to act on the Senate bill rather than seek to work out a compromise between a more stringent version they gained passage of last year and the other chamber’s measure.
The House bill, approved in a 389–38 vote in February 2005, would have increased the maximum fine per violation to $500,000 and required a license-revocation hearing for a station after a third violation.
Rep. Fred Upton, R–Mich., sponsored the House version and handled the Senate bill in his chamber.
In early May, it appeared the now-approved legislation might remain stuck in a Senate committee.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R–Alaska, had declined to move the legislation through the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which he chairs.
Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee used a parliamentary maneuver, however, to gain the bill’s passage.
The procedure enabled Frist to bring S. 193 directly to the Senate floor without committee approval.
No senator objected to the bill, so it passed by unanimous consent.
In 2004, both houses overwhelmingly approved bills increasing indecency fines, but differences could not be worked out, causing them to die when Congress adjourned.
The legislation does not directly affect cable or satellite programming.
The FCC is able to regulate only broadcast radio and television. On television, that includes such networks as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. (BP)
________________________________
FCC rejects appeal of Jackson fine
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously rejected again CBS’ appeal of a $550,000 fine for Janet Jackson’s exposure during the halftime show of the 2004 Super Bowl. The commission May 31 held to its previous decisions that CBS is responsible for the show and failed to take actions to prevent the broadcast of the material.
“We reject CBS’ contention that the commission misapplied the test for broadcast indecency in the [original order],” the FCC wrote. “CBS takes issue with our conclusion that the Super Bowl halftime show was patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.”
CBS said it still disagrees with the FCC ruling and may take the issue to court. “We will continue to pursue all remedies necessary to affirm our legal rights …,” the network said. (BP)
Share with others: