Keep It Out of My Home     1/25/2008
Don’t Undermine the Authority and Strength of the FCC

Washington, D.C. — In a previously aired episode of ABC’s highly acclaimed and Emmy award-winning NYPD Blue, families across the nation were assaulted with the image of a nude female actress and a young boy on their television screens. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received numerous complaints regarding this specific incident and today fined 52 ABC affiliates $27,500 per station for broadcasting obscene material.

Shari Rendall, Director of Legislation and Public Policy, said, “This complaint against ABC is one of many languishing at the FCC, and I am pleased that the agency finally took action to protect our families from viewing this filth.”

In 2006, Congress acted to authorize the FCC to use its power to impose meaningful, punitive fines against broadcasters. The FCC’s authority to keep the broadcast airwaves free of indecent and profane content has been crippled since CBS filed suit after receiving a $550,000 fine for the infamous Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl.

“The FCC should be undeterred in its mission to enforce decency standards. Congress needs to restore the FCC’s authority to protect American families held hostage to this onslaught of smut. Indecent broadcasters should not be allowed to determine what programming is appropriate for children particularly when their standards do not reflect the majority of American families,” concluded Shari Rendall.

For Information Contact:
Valerie Mosher
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org

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