NationStates Jolt Archive

You are receiving this email in response to your inquiry to the FCC.

Dear Consumer:

Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission to share your
concerns about inappropriate program material. It?s against federal law to air
obscene programming at any time. It is also against federal law to air indecent
or profane programming during certain hours. The Commission is charged with
enforcing the law that governs these types of broadcasts.

Your views and concerns about program material are important to us. The
Commission will review what you have submitted carefully to determine whether it
contains sufficient information to suggest that there has been a violation of
the obscenity, indecency or profanity laws. If it appears that a violation may
have occurred, the Enforcement Bureau will start an investigation, which may
include a letter of inquiry to the broadcast station. Further information about
the complaint process is available on the Commission?s web site at
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/process.html, and in our consumer fact sheet entitled
"Obscene, Profane and Indecent Broadcast," which we have attached for your
convenience.

Again, thank you for contacting us about this important issue.


The FCC is not permitted to censor or restrict the availability
of non-broadcast programming shown over cable or satellite systems,
even when the program in question may be offensive to some viewers.
Programming considered indecent, obscene, violent or otherwise
offensive to some viewers may be transmitted over cable or satellite
systems.

Viewers and listeners should direct all concerns or comments
about a specific broadcast or statement, in writing, to the local
station and network involved so that the people responsible for
making programming decisions can become better informed about
audience opinion.

The FCC is barred by law from trying to prevent the broadcast
of any point of view. The Communications Act prohibits the FCC
from censoring broadcast material, in most cases, and from making
any regulation that would interfere with freedom of speech.

Expressions of views that do not involve a "clear and present
danger of serious substantive evil" come under the protection of
the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom
of the press.

Thank you for your inquiry.




Email from the FCC, the part in bold is interesting.

[/b]

Email from the FCC, the part in bold is interesting.


I guess we can't talk about Satan, because he's a substantive evil to some.

I guess we can't talk about Satan, because he's a substantive evil to some.



I could say the same about God.:D

I guess we can't talk about Satan, because he's a substantive evil to some.
Does that mean we can get rid of televangelists? ;)

Does that mean we can get rid of televangelists? ;)



Only if they can get rid of CNN.


Now comments on the letter?

Does that mean we can get rid of televangelists? ;)
"clear and present danger of serious substantive evil"

Well, I suppose that casting demons out on TV could fall into that category. Just think of where those cast-out demons go - they could go anywhere.

Probably an EPA issue as well - illegal demon dumping.

Only if they can get rid of CNN.


Now comments on the letter?
Not really much to comment on--that's been the standard policy for a long time. That's why Skinemax shows what they show and why Comedy Central got away with the "shit" episode of Southpark. That's why Howard Stern went to satellite radio (though I hear he's coming back)--so the FCC couldn't fuck with him.

"clear and present danger of serious substantive evil"

Well, I suppose that casting demons out on TV could fall into that category. Just think of where those cast-out demons go - they could go anywhere.

Probably an EPA issue as well - illegal demon dumping.Well, I was thinking of the televangelists themselves as being serious substantive evil, but I'll go with that.

Not really much to comment on--that's been the standard policy for a long time. That's why Skinemax shows what they show and why Comedy Central got away with the "shit" episode of Southpark. That's why Howard Stern went to satellite radio (though I hear he's coming back)--so the FCC couldn't fuck with him.


I was surprised that the FCC couldn't cesnor Cable at all..with all the blurs and beeps I thought they could.

I was surprised that the FCC couldn't cesnor Cable at all..with all the blurs and beeps I thought they could.
From what I understand, it's mostly self-censorship. Advertisers don't like dealing with customers irate over the fact that little Timmy heard someone say "damn" or saw a boobie, so they tell the cable networks ot keep it clean and they do for the most part. That's why you rarely see nudity outside the premium channels; the same is true for really strong language.

From what I understand, it's mostly self-censorship. Advertisers don't like dealing with customers irate over the fact that little Timmy heard someone say "damn" or saw a boobie, so they tell the cable networks ot keep it clean and they do for the most part. That's why you rarely see nudity outside the premium channels; the same is true for really strong language.



That's fading, even the Disney Channel airs stuff that would get the fined if the FCC had legal right to...which they don't.

That's fading, even the Disney Channel airs stuff that would get the fined if the FCC had legal right to...which they don't.
Glad to hear it--haven't had cable in a couple of years and can't say I've missed television in general. I decay my brain enough with the internet. ;)

Glad to hear it--haven't had cable in a couple of years and can't say I've missed television in general. I decay my brain enough with the internet. ;)



I'm not so glad....There are things that should be kept off kids shows that are not.

I'm not so glad....There are things that should be kept off kids shows that are not.
I disagree. Kids aren't hurt by seeing some fake violence or fake sex or hearing some dirty words--they're hurt by being sheltered from what's going on in the world around them and becoming clueless adults. I get to teach them every year, and it's distressing how sheltered they are.

I was surprised that the FCC couldn't cesnor Cable at all..with all the blurs and beeps I thought they could.
Cable and satellites are considered private networks not using the public airwaves. Technically satellites use public airwaves, but their signal still has to be decodified.

I'm not so glad....There are things that should be kept off kids shows that are not.
Kids need education and orientation to deal with it. Parents should take an active rol in TV watching with their kids, and not let TV take the rol of the parents.