Stevens Ponders Path to Cable Smut Regs

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
A House bill that would toughen broadcast indecency enforcement was passed back in February and awaits a companion bill from the Senate. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is working on a bill and exploring the possibility of adding cable TV programming to the mix. He has been meeting with cable and radio execs and has some ideas about whether and how to regulate cable indecency. The House bill, which passed overwhelmingly last February, ups the maximum indecency fines for stations and performers from $32,500 and $11,000, respectively, to $500,000. It also toughens enforcement by requiring the FCC to act more swiftly on complaints and makes one indecency fine a factor in license renewals and three an automatic trigger for a license revocation hearing.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6281773?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
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See also --
* New Obscene, Profane and Indecent Material Complaint Form at FCC
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC is trying to make it easier for people to file complaints about broadcast programming. The Office of Management and Budget has approved new FCC complaint forms including comments about obscene, profane, and/or indecent material. Complaints submitted by consumers using the FCC Form 475 may be filed electronically at http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm. Complaints that are submitted using FCC Form 475B may be filed electronically at http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475B.cfm. In addition to using FCC Form 475B, complaints related to obscene, profane, and/or indecent material may be filed by: (1) e-mail addressed to fccinfo@fcc.gov; (2) letter through the U.S. Postal Service mail to FCC Enforcement Bureau, Investigations and Hearings Division, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554; (3) fax to 1-866-418-0232; or (4) calling toll-free 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2930A1.doc