Finally, Broadcast Network TV Is No Longer above the Law that Prohibits Indecent or Profane Language, Says Morality in Media

3/19/2004

From: Patrick McGrath of Morality in Media, 212-870-3217, Web: http://www.moralityinmedia.org

NEW YORK, March 19 -- Robert W. Peters, president of Morality in Media, Inc., issued the following comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission's order issued yesterday declaring that the live broadcast of the phrase "f---ing brilliant" during the 2003 Golden Globes Awards "violated the statutory prohibitions on indecency and profanity."

"To my knowledge, this the first time in the history of broadcasting that the FCC has issued an order determining that TV network affiliates violated the federal law, which prohibits the broadcast of indecent or profane language, for airing programming provided by one of the networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UPN & WB). A few notices of apparent liability for airing indecent language have been issued against TV stations, but not for network programming.

"Decades ago, the broadcast TV networks had a strong industry- wide code and self-imposed internal standards that generally reflected community standards. No longer. For the most part, TV networks are no longer concerned about community standards. They want to reach young adults and children, and one way to do that is with programming that is sexual or vulgar.

"Opinion polls have consistently found that a large majority of Americans believe there is too much sex and vulgarity on TV. Countless articles critical of TV sex and vulgarity have appeared in the press. Studies conducted by nonprofit organizations (e.g. Center for Media and Public Affairs, Kaiser Family Foundation, and Media Research Center) have shown how sexual (talk & action) and vulgar broadcast TV has become. There is also a growing body of evidence that children are adversely affected by the vulgarity and sex they hear and view on broadcast TV.

"Even prominent individuals within the television industry have expressed concerns about the effects of TV sex and vulgarity on children. For example, more than one has said (in so many words), I wouldn't let my own children watch what I produce, direct or perform in.

"Despite the above, the FCC has for decades ignored the expanding stream of gutter language and sex talk and action that pollutes network TV programming. Yesterday, the FCC opened its eyes and ears and determined that broadcast TV is no longer above the indecency law."

MORALITY IN MEDIA is a nonprofit national organization, with headquarters in New York City, which works to curb traffic in obscenity and to uphold standards of decency in the media. MIM operates the ObscenityCrimes.org Web site and the National Obscenity Law Center.