The FCC

[Amnesiac]

I believe it's about time we removed the FCC's power to regulate content on the radio and television. I simply don't believe in the government sticking their hands into the entertainment industry to "protect children", private companies should be able to control what they put on their networks. The FCC has, countless times, told the general public what's "moral" and "right" so they can replace lazy parents who are too ignorant to use their TV's parental control systems. It's a waste of money and time.

Let the TV networks and radio stations regulate themselves. It's not like, if we relinquish FCC control over these mediums, Nickelodeon is suddenly going to broadcast porn. Most channels will perform self-censorship to appeal to the enormous "family television" market. We don't need the FCC regulating these things, it's unnecessary. Besides, it's the parents' job to control what their kids watch or listen to, not the FCC's. Do we really need to be spending taxpayer money to perform the duties of these parents who are 100% capable of doing it themselves? Why do we need to be censoring Family Guy when kids aren't supposed to be watching that in the first place?

I don't think the FCC needs to be fucking up the entertainment industry with their family values bullshit; the government has more important matters to attend to.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I have a correction. The FCC does not have power over basic cable channels such as Nickelodeon and premium cable channels such as HBO. It only has jurisdiction over networks that are available over the air such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. Those networks use the public airwaves So Nickelodeon could be as graphic as they wanted to but choose not to which already proves one of your points.

Anyway, I think such a thing will be hard or rather impossible to do. I think the only way the FCC can be shut down is through a Constitutional Amendment. The Supreme Court has ruled that while indecent and profane material is protected under the First Amendment it cannot be banned entirely, but that it must be restricted between the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM.

As for how I feel, while it might be better for the government not to regulate such things, I do think the the regulations as they are not unreasonable and are easy to follow. I understand why it would be desirable but as long as things do not get more strict there is nor huge need.

[Amnesiac]

I have a correction. The FCC does not have power over basic cable channels such as Nickelodeon and premium cable channels such as HBO. It only has jurisdiction over networks that are available over the air such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. Those networks use the public airwaves So Nickelodeon could be as graphic as they wanted to but choose not to which already proves one of your points.

Well, I stand corrected then :P

Anyway, I think such a thing will be hard or rather impossible to do. I think the only way the FCC can be shut down is through a Constitutional Amendment. The Supreme Court has ruled that while indecent and profane material is protected under the First Amendment it cannot be banned entirely, but that it must be restricted between the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM.

The Supreme Court never said it must be regulated, rather, it can be. Congress enabled the FCC to regulate indecency, they don't have to. Therefore, all the US would have to do is remove that power from the FCC or simply stop its enforcement.

As for how I feel, while it might be better for the government not to regulate such things, I do think the the regulations as they are not unreasonable and are easy to follow. I understand why it would be desirable but as long as things do not get more strict there is nor huge need.

Well, they're already too strict. We have the FCC regulating programs that children shouldn't be watching. They brag on their website (http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/) about how tough they are on this policy and the millions of dollars they steal from private corporations every year. Parents have the ability to block this material themselves, and networks will obviously perform self-censorship to keep their audience. The FCC shouldn't be part of this at all.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

How are they too strict, specifically?

Oh, and one thing to add is even though the networks are private companies the airwaves are public. Unfortunately it does make sense to control how a private company uses something public.

Anyway I think that the easiest way to solve shut down the FCC is to make the airwaves private as well. Though, I don't know how difficult that would be. Exactly how would you go about shutting down the FCC?

[Korashk]

Anyway I think that the easiest way to solve shut down the FCC is to make the airwaves private as well. Though, I don't know how difficult that would be.
Not very

[Amnesiac]

How are they too strict, specifically?

Oh, and one thing to add is even though the networks are private companies the airwaves are public. Unfortunately it does make sense to control how a private company uses something public.

I believe fining corporations millions of dollars for accidentally saying "fuck" on TV is an enormous overreaction.

Also, these companies are "buying" frequencies from the government. Shouldn't they have control over what broadcasts?

Anyway I think that the easiest way to solve shut down the FCC is to make the airwaves private as well. Though, I don't know how difficult that would be. Exactly how would you go about shutting down the FCC?

It wouldn't be that difficult. Also, this isn't about shutting down the FCC, it's about stripping it of its power to regulate "indecent" material, which would be done through an act of Congress.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I believe fining corporations millions of dollars for accidentally saying "fuck" on TV is an enormous overreaction.

Also, these companies are "buying" frequencies from the government. Shouldn't they have control over what broadcasts?



It wouldn't be that difficult. Also, this isn't about shutting down the FCC, it's about stripping it of its power to regulate "indecent" material, which would be done through an act of Congress.

Actually the networks get to use the frequencies for free in exchange for following the broadcast laws. If they break the broadcast laws repeatedly the affiliates risk losing the ability to air things.

By the way I also agree that it is an overreaction. I also agree that the whole Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl scandal was also blown out of proportion (though I have hear that exposing her breast was intentional:P).

[Amnesiac]

Actually the networks get to use the frequencies for free in exchange for following the broadcast laws. If they break the broadcast laws repeatedly the affiliates risk losing the ability to air things.

Well, that system should be changed. I believe networks should be able to buy frequencies, not rent them from the government (that seems too regulatory to me), but that's another issue.

By the way I also agree that it is an overreaction. I also agree that the whole Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl scandal was also blown out of proportion (though I have hear that exposing her breast was intentional:P).

Yeah, there was no need to fine them millions of dollars for something every kid's probably already seen on the Internet anyway. It's ridiculous. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if it was intentional :P

[maestro15]

I beg to differ,
First of all, the FCC is under stringent control of basic channels such as NBC or Discovery inc True, Nickelodion will never provide porn, but their non-cartoon shows will start having adult content (kissing, pg-13 sex, etc..) . furthermore, the FCC are more lenient with premium channels such as HBO or Showtime, so lienient that if they were to show porn, the fcc would allow that. Ive seen the effects of children being exposed to vile language or actions. I believe that the FCC should be where it is at NOT GET ANYMORE strict.

I believe that the FCC will keep many things in orderly manner.

[Korashk]

I beg to differ,
First of all, the FCC is under stringent control of basic channels such as NBC or Discovery inc True, Nickelodion will never provide porn, but their non-cartoon shows will start having adult content (kissing, pg-13 sex, etc..).
Those shows already have this...

furthermore, the FCC are more lenient with premium channels such as HBO or Showtime, so lienient that if they were to show porn, the fcc would allow that. Ive seen the effects of children being exposed to vile language or actions. I believe that the FCC should be where it is at NOT GET ANYMORE strict.

I believe that the FCC will keep many things in orderly manner.
The FCC places an undue restriction on the freedom of individuals "for the children." Honestly, who cares about "the children"? There's a very simple solution that doesn't involve tyrrany on the airwaves.