Thursday, March 16, 2006

FCC: CBS Facing $3.6M Fine for Indecency

WASHINGTON - A government crackdown on indecent programming resulted in a proposed fine of $3.6 million against dozens of CBS stations and affiliates on Wednesday — a record penalty from the FCC

The FCC said an episode of the CBS crime drama "Without a Trace" that aired in December 2004 was indecent. It cited the graphic depiction of "teenage boys and girls participating in a sexual orgy."

CBS said it strongly disagrees with the FCC's finding.

I do like issues like this because there is so much gray area. Again, we are talking about regulation and governmentinterferencee. With the smoking issue, it tends to be liberals trying to stop smoking everywhere. On this issue, it seems to be conservatives regulating what can be on TV.

Some would say that if you don't like what is on TV, turn it off. Or, parents should be able to control what their kids watch.

I don't think it is that easy. If I'm an adult and I don't like something, yes, I can turn it off. But what if I'm a parent? I have to know what to expect from different networks and cable channels so I can decide what my kid can watch.

How is the government supposed to decide what is "decent" for everyone in the country.

But then, can we have everything and anything on TV?

Where do we draw the line? Did this show cross the line?

Very interesting.

3 comments:

The Game said...

I can't believe no one will comment on this...this is a culture war issue...every talk show spent atleast 7 minutes on it last night

Anonymous said...

I am a parent, and I believe that I am ultimately responsible for what my daughter sees on television(or movies), not the station that shows it. Anyone that says differently is a joke, lazy and irresponsible.

The Game said...

That SOUNDS good, but is it that easy?
So then should NBC be able to show porn at 10a.m.?

You are mostly correct...but there has to be some line...you can't show EVERYTHING all the time...

And even if we are going to agree with you 100%, there has to be a lot of information for parents so they could make decisions..

I saw the clip, and I would have not thought that this type of stuff would be on that show...but I have to say it was on between 9 and 10pm