TLP: WTF, FCC?
Courtesy of Jr. Deputy Accountant
Are they just trying to stay busy at the FCC? Because I can’t think of another logical explanation for this.
Federal regulators are appealing a recent court decision that struck down a 2004 government policy that says broadcasters can be fined for allowing even a single curse word to be uttered on live television.
A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York threw out the Federal Communications Commission policy last month, saying it was unconstitutionally vague.
In a filing on Thursday, the F.C.C. and the Justice Department asked the court to reconsider the decision, warning that the ruling appears to undermine the F.C.C.’s entire approach to regulating indecency on the airwaves.
In a statement, the F.C.C. general counsel, Austin Schlick, said the ruling raised “serious concerns about the commission’s ability to protect children and families from indecent broadcast programming.”
The agencies want the three-judge panel or the full court to reconsider the decision.
The commission has stepped up broadcast indecency enforcement — issuing record fines for violations — spurred in part by public outrage after Janet Jackson’s breast-baring performance during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
The agency put its “fleeting expletive” policy in place in 2004 after repeated instances of profanity by celebrities, including Cher, Nicole Richie and Bono, during the live broadcasts of awards programs.
Here’s a better idea: tell children how idiotic awards shows are and maybe they won’t watch them. Their little brains won’t be polluted with the drivel that comes out of celebrity mouths and they’ll miss the odd curse word. It’s a win-win. A f*&king brilliant win-win.
