FCC Seeks Indecency 'Clarity'

The FCC is still considering a host of indecency actions. Sources say they are likely to be released as a package deal and handled at the commissioner level rather than issued by the Enforcement Bureau. Enforcement Bureau notices of apparent liability, or complaint denials, do not have to be voted on by the commissioners. Apparently FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants to release the actions all at once and with the commissioners weighing in so that there could be more clarity to FCC indecency enforcement going forward. FCC indecency fines provide broadcasters with guidance on what they can program. But without a clear statutory definition, that guidance is the sum of past FCC decisions to fine or not to. One line of reasoning goes that since those decisions effectively constrain content for the nation's most powerful communications medium, arguably even more so when companies are settling complaints with promises of self-regulation, the commissioners should have to vote on them.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

* New FCC Chairman Preps His Indecent Proposal
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117930043?categoryid=1622&cs=1&s=h&p=0