TV Networks and Stations Challenge FCC Indecency Ruling

TV NETWORKS AND STATIONS CHALLENGE FCC INDECENCY RULING
[SOURCE: Associated Press 4/14, AUTHOR: Gary Gentile]
ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, along with their network affiliate associations and the Hearst-Argyle Television group of stations have filed court challenges to a March 15 Federal Communications Commission ruling that found several programs "indecent" because of language. The move represents a protest against the aggressive enforcement of federal indecency rules that broadcasters have complained are vague and inconsistently applied. Millions of dollars in fines have been levied based on those rules. The networks and affiliate groups, representing more than 800 individual stations, issued a rare joint statement Friday calling the FCC ruling "unconstitutional and inconsistent with two decades of previous FCC decisions. "In filing these court appeals we are seeking to overturn the FCC decisions that the broadcast of fleeting, isolated - and in some cases unintentional - words rendered these programs indecent." The networks and stations said the FCC "overstepped its authority" and acted arbitrarily in not giving the networks a clear standard for what content is objectionable.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14343600.htm

* TV stations challenge FCC profanity decisions
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=televisionNews&story...

* Nets Take Indecency Fines to Court
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6324990?display=Breaking+News

* TV Networks Sue to Challenge F.C.C.'s Indecency Penalties
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/17/business/media/17fcc.html

* Networks challenge FCC ruling
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20060417/news17.art.htm

* 'Commons Sense' Says Jackson Indecent
An FCC spokeswoman said Friday that CBS' argument that the Janet Jackson 2004 Super Bowl halftime reveal was not indecent "runs counter to common sense."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6325163?display=Breaking+News