Keaton slips, FCC stammers

KEATON SLIPS, FCC STAMMERS
[SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter, AUTHOR: Brooks Boliek]
Actress Diane Keaton said the f-word on broadcast TV Tuesday. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said it would be difficult for the FCC to take action against ABC stations that aired the show. Last year's court decision that threw out the FCC's policy on "fleeting references" complicates any action the commission might want to take against the stations or the network, Chairman Martin said. Last year, a federal appeals court in New York threw out the FCC's rule that said a fleeting reference gets broadcasters a fine for indecency. In its decision, the court told the commission that it failed to give a good reason for its decision and likely couldn't find a good reason if it had to. The Bush administration is appealing the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Congress has also taken action. Briefs are due in the appeal next month.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i763e2e6c132324889617a10ecb19946d

* PTC Blasts ABC for Airing 'F-Word'
The Parents Television Council chastised ABC for allowing the “F-word” to air unedited during Good Morning America on Tuesday. The PTC is calling on its members to file indecency complaints with the FCC regarding the broadcast.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/01/15/daily.16/