Tenfold increase in fines for indecency becomes law
- Jun 22, 2006 - comment
President Bush signed into law June 15 legislation increasing by tenfold the maximum fine for indecency on television and radio. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act increases the maximum fine that can be levied by the Federal Communications Commission from $32,500 to $325,000.
During the signing ceremony at the White House, Bush commended Congress for sending legislation to him that will “help American parents by making broadcast television and radio more family friendly.”
Indecency complaints to the FCC have grown “from just hundreds per year to hundreds of thousands” since 2000, Bush said. “In other words, people are saying, ‘We’re tired of it, and we expect the government to do something about it.’”
A maximum fine of $32,500 “is meaningless” for some broadcasters, Bush said. “It’s relatively painless for them when they violate decency standards. By allowing the FCC to levy stiffer and more meaningful fines on broadcasters who violate decency standards, this law will ensure that broadcasters take seriously their duty to keep the public airwaves free of obscene, profane and indecent material.”
The House of Representatives passed the bill June 7 in a 379-35 vote. The Senate had approved the same measure in May.
House sponsors decided to act on the Senate bill rather than seek to work out a compromise between a more stringent version they gained passage of last year and the other chamber’s measure. The House bill, approved in a 389-38 vote in February 2005, would have increased the maximum fine per violation to $500,000 and required a license revocation hearing for a station after a third violation.
The legislation does not directly affect cable or satellite programming. The FCC is able to regulate only broadcast radio and television. On TV, that includes such networks as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Family, Pop Culture, Sexual Purity, Pornography, Citizenship, Legislation