PTC: Indecency Regs Not Unfair Broadcast Restriction

[alp227]

Source: Broadcasting & Cable

It is not unfair for the government to restrict what broadcasters can air during the daytime, and their argument that they are at a competitive disadvantage versus unregulated cable content comes despite the fact that they own "significant" portions of that cable content.

That was the Parents Television Council's take on the appeals court smackdown of the FCC's indecency decision against swearing in a Fox awards show, which is being reviewed by the Supreme Court at the FCC and Justice's request.

In an amicus petition in support of the government and its regulatory regime Wednesday, PTC said the decisions were neither an affront to expression or a muzzle on speech.

"Instead," they said, "it is about whether is to have any continuing vitality in affecting what the broadcasters can send into America's homes, or whether, as respondents seem to argue, the indecency statute is a polite fiction that can be safely ignored." PTC, not surprisingly, wants the Supreme Court to reverse the Second Circuit and uphold the constitutionality of the FCC's policy, which the FCC defended in its brief with the court last week.

Read more: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/473858-PTC_Indecency_Regs_Not_Unfair_Broadcast_Restriction.php

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The awards show in question is the 2002 Billboard Music Awards where Nicole Richie used two obscene words in 5 seconds). See more info at "" by USA Today, Oct. 2007. And bleeping or obscuring cuss words on 6AM-10PM is a reasonable compromise when it comes to pre-recorded/produced programming.

[No Elephants]

1. Of course not. Only the Fairness Doctrine was an unfair broadcasting restriction.

Thank heavens the Reagan administration suspended enforcement and the Obama administration finished it off once and for all.

Otherwise, Democratic candidates may have had a slightly less uneven playing field in the Republican corporate media. What is it now, all of four owners for most print and broadcast media, or is it five?

Anyhoo, we are rid of that evil possiblity. Whew.

Republicans, however, do love them restrictions like this one, so, of course, it should be enshrined somewhere. Maybe even bronzed. No, forget bronzed. Use gold. Republicans love that, too.

While we're at it, let's just make them a gold key to the country and give it to them. Get it over with. This handing them everything a bit at a time has become tedious.

[bemildred]

2. You want "fairness"? Bring back the "Fairness Doctrine". nt