Tell Senate to Vote on Indecent Programming Bill

By Richard Land - Feb 4, 2008 - comment

Television is fast becoming a moral sewer, and broadcast networks are getting away with it. That’s why we need Congress to act quickly on the Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act (S. 1780).

If you’ve watched any television lately, you know that the programming is flooded with vulgar language and sexuality. Unfortunately, a federal appeals court has only encouraged more indecency, ruling last summer that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could not sanction Fox for airing the F-word and S-word during the Billboard Music Awards in 2002 and 2003.

This decision greatly curtails the FCC’s authority to fully enforce a new law—passed with your help—to fine broadcasters up to $325,000 per indecency violation, and opens the door for networks to routinely air fleeting expletives between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children are likely to watch television.

The Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act would restore authority to the FCC by requiring the agency to “maintain a policy that a single word or image may constitute indecent programming” on broadcast television and radio when aired during the family hours.

In December, you generated enough pressure to move the bill one step closer toward passage. Specifically, we asked you to urge the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee to move S. 1780 out of committee, where it had been collecting dust for nearly five months. The result: the committee approved the bill that week.

But now S. 1780 sits idle on the Senate legislative calendar among scores of other bills. Your calls are needed once again.

If you agree that broadcast television should not be given license to air offensive language and images, please contact your senators and urge them to ask Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring the Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act to the floor for a vote.

You can call your senators by dialing the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121. Or click here to e-mail them a suggested letter or one entirely your own.

For more information on broadcast indecency:

Calls, E-mails Help Shift Broadcast Decency Bill Into Gear

Why the Second Circuit Ruling Against the FCC Is Wrong, Part 1

Why the Second Circuit Ruling Against the FCC Is Wrong, Part 2

Thank you for taking a few minutes to help protect families from the onslaught of indecent media.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Family, Children, Pop Culture, Citizenship, Legislation, Social Issues

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