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Update 24 June 2004:
Cheney says he felt good about telling Leahy to f uck-himself, and that such a comment was long-overdue. |
Powell's proposal overturns an earlier FCC ruling that declared the word is not indecent as an adjective. The F-word aired on NBC when rocker Bono spoke at the Golden Globe Awards, and it was used during the CBS documentary film --in 2002-- showing the collapse of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on 9-11.
At least three votes are required for the FCC to ban the use of "F u c k" across the air.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps claims that he too has been pushing for strong action against indecency.
US-federal law prohibits the use of obscene speech and limits the time for broadcasting indecent material to after primetime.
The FCC defines indecent speech as a description of sexual organs or activities, and any broadcast viewed "patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium."
The FCC staff determined that Bono used an adjective to emphasize an exclamation and while it may have been crude and offensive, it "did not describe sexual or excretory organs or activities."
For travellers to Europe, undoubtedly you've seen the shower gel commercial on French TV which shows a woman's breast. The context in which this scene is used does not encourage sexual activity; however, no such commercial would be allowed on US-television since "breasts" are seen as patently offensive and sexual by US-standards.
Screen capture from the Jerry Springer Show: Female wrestling results in ripped clothing and partially undressed contestants -- "not offensive" to the FCC. |
Jerry Springer's daily television show periodically shows nudity to its live audience; however, breasts and genitals are blurred for the broadcast audience. Guests of Springer's shows have been known to rip off each other's clothes, thus exposing skin and dangling body parts. This activity is allowed across the airwaves however.
"ElimiDATE" on WB television, and "The Apprentice" on NBC, both of which are Survivor-type television series, represent an emerging genre for television scripts that equate to nothing more than indecent entertainment.
Think & Ask does not oppose enforcing some standards across the US-airwaves; however, the use of a single word, which itself is used in classrooms, board rooms, and living rooms across the nation, has little value when the true indecency starts in the programming schedule. Donald Trump's new NBC series "The Apprentice," is as "un" real as a series can be; emulating an office environment, pinning boys against girls for the world's biggest dollar ego. The FCC views reality shows as entertaining and educational as long as the F-word is not used. Powell should begin with indecent scripts.
Powell was appointed to the FCC board by former President Bill Clinton, and designated chair by President George W Bush. Powell has no experience in broadcasting or media law.
