The venerable 2d Circuit recently handed down a ruling invalidating a change in the FCC policy regarding "fleeting expletives". [Fox Television Stations, et. al. v. FCC] For the better part of 30 years, the FCC has said that they would not seek sanctions against networks that air such expletives, rather they would save their ire for those broadcasts that constituted "verbal shock treatment". Then came the Golden Globes, wherein Bono said that receiving his award was "really, really f-ing brilliant".
Apparently, this statement offended the delicate sensibilities of the Parents Television Council, who began pestering the FCC to take action against the network. In a startling reversal of decades of policy, the FCC abandoned their precedent and declared that fleeting and isolated use of expletives would no longer be tolerated. The networks, of course, were not too thrilled.
The ironical part is, the loudest howling is coming from Fox. I have always thought it a little odd that Fox, the network that brought us such quality programming as Temptation Island, and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire, is also the network that provides a safe haven for the caterwauling champions of the religious right *cough*billoreilly*cough*. What do you want to bet that the Parents Television Council is composed largely of bible-beaters that Tivo O'Reilly on a regular basis?
Seems like this is a classic case of the right hand pretending not to know what the left hand is doing.
*I counted that the 2d Circuit included the word "fuck" in some form approximately 27 times in their opinion. Purely for illustrative purposes, of course. It is expected that the Supreme Court will grant cert on this issue. I REALLY hope they let me write for the majority. =)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment