FCC to Fine Curses More Than Nuke Violations

DiZNoG writes "With Congress debating new higher fines for broadcast indecency in the wake of last year's 'wardrobe malfunction' and Howard Stern's antics, Rolling Stone has published an interesting perspective on things. Rolling Stone did a review of fines levied by other federal regulatory bodies, and has found the new indecency fines disproportionately large compared to other fines. According to the article, if the bill passes then 'for the price of Janet Jackson's 'wardrobe malfunction' during the Super Bowl, you could cause the wrongful death of an elderly patient in a nursing home and still have enough money left to create dangerous mishaps at two nuclear reactors.' The article further states the largest fine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission levied last year was $60,000, this new bill would allow broadcast indecency fines up to $500,000. Glad I keep my broadcast cursing to a minimum, now if I could only get a handle on those pesky dangerous nuclear mishaps."

Comments

Re:Music and Shoplifting

[nurb432]

If that is the part you dont understand, then you are a moron.

Expand your mind, stop playing video games and read some history.

Re:Stupid, yes. But surprising?

[mickyflynn]

There's nothing wrong with religion, but the world would be a much better place if it were not organized

I could say the same thing about labour.

Re:It's the FCC!

[Amiga Trombone]

I understand the fines are meant to keep a lid on how far the shock jocks go, but i think it's time we ask ourselves whether or not the government ought to have the right to decide what too far is for us. Can't the market dictate that?

The market will be dictating that now, since satellite radio isn't regulated by the FCC.

Actually, in a back-handed sort of way it's beneficial. It'll help kill public broadcast media and chase audiences over to private media that the government doesn't regulate.

It gives the Republicans a way to placate the moral morons and the free-market types both.

Although I don't think the religious right will be too happy to find out that the peasants are getting their T&A fix beyond the reach of regulation. Think this one will eventually backfire on them.

Markets are Wonderful Things. ;-)

Re:Stupid, yes. But surprising?

[Scudsucker]

Since it is used as an excuse to mutilate body parts of children?

Why'd you only bring up female circumcision? Male circumcision is just as pointless and just as painfull.

Re:It's the FCC!

[Scudsucker]

The Union Carbide Bhopal Incident was #1. a PRIVATE company #2. a CHEMICAL company As opposed to GOVERNMENT-RUN NUCLEAR plants.

Wow, did you sit around for a couuple of hours to come up with a comment that irrelevant?

Re:They have the money

[plague3106]

Demand for the airwaves exceeds supply.

What does this have to do with regulating WHAT is said using those airwaves?

We choose to let these broadcasters use the airwaves in exchange for them acting in the public interest. It's not in the public interest to hear curses and fart noises.

And you get to decide that for everyone? Why not let the public decide by letting them choose which stations to listen to. Oh thats right, because you realize a majority of people might consider things offensive to you as entertainment for themselves, and that market forces would drive out christian radio in an instant.

This isn't about free speech. It's about regulation of a finite resource. Freedom of speech doesn't mean I can go into a public library and start yelling out obscenities.

It is about free speech; the fact that spectrum is limited does not justify that only what YOU think is appropriate should be broadcast over that spectrum. You can't choose what you hear in a library. You CAN choose what you hear on the radio. Don't tune into stations you don't like.

The fact is that people like you are facists and want to control what OTHER people are doing even though it causes no harm to you.

Are slur words fined?

[Caspian]

We all know you can't say "motherfucker" on the airwaves, but how about:

* Nigger
* Kike
* Faggot

etc.?

This is what you get...

[fyngyrz]

• When you elects idiots to public office

• When you put up with those same idiots ignoring how bad a job the agencies they are responsible for are doing

• When you put up with those same idiots passing laws which put them in the position of being your "mommy"

In short, the voters deserve this. And more. When it reaches an intolerable level for the average fool on the street, or enough of the not-so-average types unify and take up arms, it'll change. Until then, of course the government is irrational and stupid. Look who runs it.