---
For Immediate
Release
January 14, 2004
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Upton to Introduce Legislation to Arm FCC with Stiffer
Fines to Combat Obscenity and Indecency on Public Airwaves
Telecom Chair has also scheduled hearing on FCC enforcement policy
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), chairman of the
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet, today announced that he will next week introduce legislation to
substantially increase financial penalties which the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) can impose on broadcasters who air obscenity, indecency,
and profanity on television and radio. Also, Upton has scheduled a hearing
for January 28th to examine the FCC's broadcast indecency enforcement
policies.
"It is well past the time that we clean-up our airwaves," said Upton. "As
soon as Congress reconvenes next week, I will introduce legislation to
significantly strengthen the FCC's hand in punishing those who peddle
indecent and obscene material over our airwaves. As it currently stands,
FCC fines are not much of a deterrent. Stiffer fines should get the
attention of broadcasters nationwide. I am confident that when
broadcasters take a bigger hit in their wallets, they may think twice about
indecency on the airwaves."
The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Enforcement Bureau recently
reviewed the use of the "f-word" by the singer Bono during NBC's recent
telecast of the "Golden Globe Awards." As Bono received his award, he
exclaimed, "This is really, really f---ing brilliant." In the Bono case,
the FCC's Enforcement Bureau found that, while Bono's use of the "f-word"
"may be crude and offensive," it was not indecent under the law because, in
the context in which it was used, it did not meet the legal definition.
Upton praised reports that FCC Chairman Michel Powell is seeking to reverse
the Enforcement Bureau's decision.
"As a father of two young children, I especially find the use of the
'f-word' and other obscenities on broadcast television wholly
unacceptable," said Upton. "As Chairman of the Telecommunications and
Internet Subcommittee, I will have a public hearing on this matter January
28th to hold the FCC accountable for their enforcement policy and am
hopeful that the full Commission will, in fact, reverse the Enforcement
Bureau's decision."
# # #
---
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2004; Contact: Christopher Chichester,
Press Secretary, (202-225-4236)
Smith: FCC Proposal A Partial Victory For Families
Congressman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, issued the following statement
regarding FCC Chairman Michael Powell's proposal to overturn the agency's
ruling that found a profanity uttered on network television by performer
Bono was not indecent:
"Chairman Powell's proposal is a partial victory for families who want to
raise their children free from profane language. I urge the FCC to pass
it as soon as possible.
"Profane language on our nation's airwaves is a growing and disturbing
trend. We should discourage its use and promote values that strengthen
families. Parents should not have to cover their children's eyes and ears
when they turn on the television."
Last month Rep. Smith and Rep. Doug Ose introduced The Clean
Airwaves Act (H.R. 3687), which prohibits eight profane words from being
broadcast over America's airwaves
Christopher Chichester
Press Secretary
Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas 21)
2231 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C.
(p) 202-225-4236
(f) 202-225-8628
_______________________________________________
Politech mailing list
Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/
Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Jan 15 2004 - 07:15:39 PST