FCCer Warns Against Cable TV Indecency Regulation

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein believes courts likely would strike down efforts by the Federal Communications Commission to regulate indecency on cable TV, but Congress might succeed. Speaking to a gathering of radio broadcasters, Commissioner Adelstein said that regulators must "get out of the way" when there are easier ways for parents to protect children. Cable companies seeking to head off content regulation have publicized ways for customers to block channels they find offensive. Critics say the technology is not available to many cable customers, who in any event are forced to pay for channels they find objectionable. Congress is considering a bill to increase fines for broadcast indecency, and may modify the legislation to include regulation of cable programming.
[SOURCE: MediaWeek, AUTHOR: Todd Shields]