Panel votes for heftier fines for indecent programming

[rodbarnett]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House committee voted Wednesday to increase from $27,500 to $500,000 the fines that could be imposed on broadcasters for airing indecent material

A House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee had approved a tenfold increase, to $275,000, in fines the Federal Communications Commission could impose for each indecency violation. But the full committee voted 49-1 Wednesday to nearly double that.

"Personal responsibility is as important a freedom as free speech," said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the committee's chairman. "America's responsible parents seek to raise their children with a strong sense of responsibility for their actions — why should performers be excluded from this expectation?"

<snip>

"We are finally gaining ground in the fight to clean up the public airwaves," said Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich. "Just last week at our hearing, two out of three networks testifying — NBC and ABC — said that our bill to raise the fines for indecency tenfold would not be a deterrent to clean up the airwaves. We heard them loud and clear and now we raise the penalty to $500,000."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-03-04-broadcast-fines_x.htm?csp=15

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Omigod! We've been taken over by the Soviet Union!

I don't personally like shock talkers, but this is getting scarier by the minute. You now what they really want to do is control political criticism of the standing president.

[FlashHarry]

2. I'll say it again...

The GOP is for smaller government and increased personal responsibility... except when they're not!

How 'bout this: if you're offended by something, don't listen to it or don't watch it! Try talking to your kids instead of letting the television or computer babysit them! Aaarrrgghh!

[Carni]

3. "EXCRETORY FUNCTIONS?" WTF?

Under FCC rules and federal law, radio stations and over-the-air television channels cannot air material that refers to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in.

Can someone clue me in on what an excretory function is?

As in "excrement" (and here I thought I was an educated adult)

So does this mean no more farting on the airwaves or bathroom
type humor? OMG yes! Gas references have ruined the country I can see the need for urgency! <GAG>

[plcdude]

4. This is exactly

the ground we shall travel over again. How does one define indecency?
Are certain topics inherently indecent? Context also plays an immense role in the subject matter. I can't believe we are doing this all over again. I am offended that we are doing this again.

[BiggJawn]

6. Could stations be fined for airing "Gas-X" or Beano ads?

How about those ads that go "where will YOU be when your diarrhea comes back?" or "Indegestion, upset stomach, Diarrhea, Hey! Pepto-Bismol!"

Last I checked, farts and diarrhea were "Excretory Functions"

Ejaculation is an "excretory function" too, does this mean we'd be spared boner pill ads?

How about menstural products and both infant and adult diapers?

[Voice_of_Europe]

8. How stupid has the human race become?

Why the hell are people so afraid of their own bodies???

Excrements are only what you have eaten some hours ago!!
Wash your hand after you've been to the toilet and that's it!

And why is everybody so afraid about kids learning about sex?
Be grateful for you wouldn't exist if your parents didn't have any!
For millions of years they did it! And NO, they didn't wait until they were of age 18 or 20 because many didn't even reach that age!

How stupid has the human race become? Since we don't have the daily problems of finding food and fire anymore we got time to think and this hasn't changed us to the better I'd say... ^_^

[skippysmom]

5. Censorship is coming

What's next?

[Turbineguy]

7. Is this related?

Last week I was in the (Seattle chain?) Silver Platters store and noticed that the Adult DVD section was gone or had been moved to a less obvious location. Yesterday in the Best Buy store the Adult section was gone.

Im my view it's up to the store to decide what they want to sell. Also, I do not think that pornography is a boon to society. I do not think Hugh Hefner set us free (I think he made a lot of money).

But that does not mean that I am repulsed by the sight of a naked woman either.

I do not care for Howard Stern. I do not think he is funny or even marginaly interesting. His main talent seems to be getting other people to degrade themselves.

But if you want to listen to him, it's your choice. If you want to spend your money on Hustler magazine, that is your choice too.

As for what's on TV, I have the choice of turning off the set. I often do. (I come here instead, or read a book).

[cprise]

9. I'd just assume fine YOUR *SS to kingdom come

...for driving your SUVs everyday.

Who is the bigger PIG?