House Approves Increase in FCC Fines for Indecency

JEFFREY BROWN:

The price of so-called indecency, broadcast over the airwaves, is getting a lot more expensive.

Today, the House of Representatives is authorizing the Federal Communications Commission to fine over-the-air television and radio broadcasters up to $325,000 for violating decency standards. That's a tenfold increase over previous penalties.

The Senate passed the bill last month, and President Bush is expected to sign the measure.

The episode that launched this congressional action was the now-infamous Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" at the 2004 Super Bowl, which was broadcast by CBS.

The new fines will not apply to satellite or cable stations that are often available side by side the over-the-air networks on most cable and direct satellite services. The FCC only has jurisdiction over the traditional broadcasters.

And joining me to discuss the new law is Jeremy Pelofsky, who covers telecommunication and media policy for Reuters.

Welcome to you.

JEREMY PELOFSKY, Reuters Telecommunication Correspondent:

Thank you.

JEFFREY BROWN:

First, what programming and what hours are covered by this?

JEREMY PELOFSKY:

Well, it's only, as you said, over-the-air programming. It's your broadcast channels, your FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC, PBS, and those sort of — that you receive over your general TV without any antenna — or with an antenna, no cable or satellite.

It only applies between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. that you cannot broadcast indecent content. Obscene content is banned all the time over the air.