FCC’s Pai: Government shouldn’t ban ‘Redskins’ name

Federal Communications Commission member Ajit Pai cast doubts on any FCC effort to police the controversial name of the Washington football team.

A petition has been filed with the agency alleging the name is profane, and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler indicated Sept 30 that the panel would consider the complaint and deal “with that issue on the merits, and we will be responding to it.” On Oct 1, Commissioner Pai said, “For my own part, as a supporter of the First Amendment, I don’t think the government should ban the use of the ‘Washington Redskins’ team name from the airwaves. But we will see what the agency proposes to do in the near future.”