Posted on 07/25/2006 10:43:49 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Hefty fines for showing indecent images on US TV are having a "chilling effect on creativity," a TV chief has said.
Fox TV entertainment president Peter Liguori said new rules on decency were "vague" and "difficult to manage".
Last month, US President George Bush signed a law increasing the maximum fine for airing unsuitable material tenfold to $325,000 (£175,000).
"None of our business plans are designed to take on such huge fines," said Mr Liguori.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently ruled that Fox broke decency standards during the Billboard Music Awards in 2002 and 2003.
'Offensive words'
On the first occasion, singer Cher used an expletive which the FCC described as "vulgar".
The following year, actress Nicole Ritchie used two swear words which it said were "among the most offensive words in the English language".
The network did not receive a fine, as the FCC felt these were "isolated" occurrences.
But Fox is appealing against the decision in the New York Federal Appeals Court, along with rival broadcasters CBS and NBC, who received similar rulings on foul language.
The FCC has asked the court to delay the hearing and return the cases to them for review.
Fox called the FCC's request an "attempt to delay and possibly evade any judicial review of its new indecency enforcement regime".
Pressure
US broadcasters have been under pressure to clean up the airwaves since Janet Jackson's breast exposure during a dance routine at the 2004 Super Bowl.
Television network CBS was fined $550,000 (£297,000) for the "wardrobe malfunction".
That figure represented the total sum of fines for individual affiliated stations - each limited to $32,500.
In March this year, the FCC proposed a record fine of $3.6m (£1.9m) for an episode of the missing persons drama Without A Trace.
The penalty, split between 111 affiliates of CBS, was later reduced to $3.3m (£1.8m).
Broadcasters are barred from airing indecent material between 6am and 10pm, although the restrictions do not apply to cable or satellite services.
This has got to be one of the stupidest statements I've heard in awhile.
I don't generally have a line-item in my family budget for speeding tickets either.
Parents have v-chips and an off button on every set. The FCC should be defunded and dissolved. We don't need another branch of government to help raise the children.
Yet ALL of their business plans are based on catering to the lowest common denominator, coming as close to broadcasting indecent/obscene material as they can without getting caught.
Not surprised, considering that the Fox Network has the most offensive programming on television.
What was in the episode? Anyway, I think the FCC should be abolished. Right now, it's just policing naughty words and bare boobs, but sooner or later it'll get back to how it was used in the 30's, 40's and beyond: squelching political speech that is unpopular with the ruling class.
"This has got to be one of the stupidest statements I've heard in awhile."
I posted and then saw your comment.
Yeah, it is STUPID!
Need a DUH alert, for this IDIOT!
Excerpt:
The following year, actress Nicole Ritchie used two swear words which it said were "among the most offensive words in the English language".
The network did not receive a fine, as the FCC felt these were "isolated" occurrences.
Remember: it's not really censorship if the FCC does it.
Actually it takes tremendous creativity to be entertaining and not offensive. How much creativity does it take to just cuss? Going to the lowest common denominator is hardly creative.
"US broadcasters have been under pressure to clean up the airwaves since Janet Jackson's breast exposure"
Much ado about nothing - well, almost next to nothing.
If you don't like it, don't watch it.
If they can do this with "offesnive" material they will do it with political material. (Hey, wait a minute - they DO do it wioth political material - McCain-Feingold).
They're already looking at fining networks for broadcasting sporting events which may contain angry participants who curse. Idiocy. Yeah, right, like people who watch NASCAR haven't heard someone say a curse word now and then.
**************
"Creativity"? Janet Jackson's bosom? Please. At least be honest about your agenda, Mr. Liguori.
About time. The FCC's "We won't tell you what's obscene until enough nanny staters complain" stance has got to go.
I agree. The networks are rapidly losing viewers to cable channels in part because they are being held to archaic standards of decency that mainstream America has moved beyond.
Example? HBO's violent and vulgar juggernaut, "The Sopranos" (an excellent show, BTW).
Rate the shows and allow offensive channels and programs to be blocked. Isn't this why the "V-Chip" was forced on us in the first place?
I am trying to think what could have been so racy on that show.
It's just more knee-jerk reactionary nonsense. I can't believe the uproar over a human breast continues for two years with everything else that's going on in the world.
Nannies. I don't need a nannie. I'm 61 years old. There is no curseword I have not heard, and darned few I have not used at one time or another.
I'm really disappointed that this sort of nannyism is occurring during a Republican administration.
Next thing you know, TV husbands and wives will be sleeping in separate beds like they did in the 50's. Dialog will be reduced to "Hi, Dave." "High Rickie."
Wait 'til they start in on the cable shows.
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