FCC Denies 36 indecency complaints about various TV programs (1/24)

[The Straight Story]

FCC DENIES 36 INDECENCY COMPLAINTS ABOUT VARIOUS TELEVISION PROGRAMS

Washington, D.C.: The Federal Communications Commission today issued two orders denying a total of 36 complaints alleging that various television station licensees had aired indecent material during a variety of programs. The complaints had alleged that various programs that aired between October 29, 2001 and February 11, 2004 contained segments of a sexually explicit nature or used indecent or profane language.

The Commission concluded that, in context, none of the segments were patently offensive under contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, and thus not indecent. The Commission also found that the material was not profane, in context.

By the Commission: Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy and Adelstein. Commissioners Copps and Martin approving in part/dissenting in part and issuing statements (Commissioner Martin issuing a statement at a later date). FCC 04-279 and FCC 04-280, December 8, 2004.

Enforcement Bureau Contacts: Janice Wise or Lisa Fowlkes [phone]

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/News_Releases/DOC-256182A1.html

[Enquiringkitty]

1. I'm surprised that the Fundies haven't openly attacked "Will and Grace"

[ComerPerro]

2. They don't have the nerve

[Merlot]

3. I've heard that W & G is very popular with repubs

[On the Road]

4. I Know a Guy Who's a Lawyer with the FCC

Our significant others are friends. A year ago, we saw the Super Bowl together, and he mentioned that he had just been tranferred to the enforcement department, the one that handles obscentiy complaints.

Stangely enough, the whole Janet Jackson episode happened in front of everyone and no one noticed -- we were all looking somewhere else. (He was convinced it was intentional, BTW.)

Since the game, I didn't see him until a couple of weeks ago. He looked ten years older and exhausted. He said that FCC enforcement, which used to be a backwater, has exploded. Things have changed that much.