According to Broadcasting and Cable online, Senator Sam Brownback’s broadcast indecency bill could make it to the Senate floor this session:
….a source close to the issue [stated] that the committee intended to mark up the bill May 18.
Like the House version, the Brownback bill would boost FCC fines dramatically. Unlike the House bill, however, it would not put a TV station’s FCC licenses in jeopardy after three indecency violations and would not remove the first warning on performers that is in the current FCC rules.
While this bill is clearly throwing some red meat to the base, it has the potential to create actual harm if amendments are attached that increase the scope. Right now there are rumors circulating that if this bill makes it to markup there will be an amendment added that will put cable and satelitte broadcasters under the same standards as traditional over-the-air broadcasters. Say goodbye to a lot of Comedy Central late night TV if such an amendment passes.
One Comment
I’ve always felt that harsh restrictions on cable TV were unnecessary. I mean, it’s a service for which we voluntarily pay. But apparently we’re too stupid to turn it off if we don’t like what we see.