FCC indecency complaints up dramatically

[shecky]

http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000731656

The number of indecency complaints had soared dramatically to more than 240,000 in the previous year, Powell said. The figure was up from roughly 14,000 in 2002, and from fewer than 350 in each of the two previous years. There was, Powell said, “a dramatic rise in public concern and outrage about what is being broadcast into their homes.”

Quite a rise in complaints over tha last few years.

What Powell did not reveal—apparently because he was unaware—was the source of the complaints. According to a new FCC estimate obtained by Mediaweek, nearly all indecency complaints in 2003—99.8 percent—were filed by the Parents Television Council [PTC], an activist group.

So far this year, the system has resulted in millions of dollars in settlements and proposed fines against broadcasters.

In a complaint over Fox's "Married By America", FCC acknowledges 90 complaints, by 23 individuals. And “All but four of the complaints were identical…and only one complainant professed even to have watched the program,”

FCC tyranny is bad enough. Tyranny by a small group of prudes is not only offensive, it's expensive.

 

[Bikewer]

And the FCC says it only responds to complaints...

Steve Allen was a noted humorist, author, and skeptic. He wrote many skeptical books, and was well-respected in the community.

Towards the end of his life, however, he became almost obsessed with promoting "decency" on television. He started up a foundation, and would annually run full-page ads in national newspapers urging people to fight against the awful smut that infested the airwaves.

I keep wondering where all this dreadful stuff is. Admittedly, my tastes are rather adult, but I see a lot of innuendo and leering, and not a great deal in the realm of actual naughtiness.
Oh sure, you'll see folks in bed (chastely covered, for the most part), but that's about it.
Of course, subscription channels get a bit more graphic, but network TV seems rather tame, to me.

 

[Dorian Gray]

The FCC should treat that group with a huge amount of scrutiny - specifically by getting their buddies from the IRS to have a little chat with them.

 

[TragicMonkey]

The FCC should treat that group with a huge amount of scrutiny - specifically by getting their buddies from the IRS to have a little chat with them.

No way, the PTC is hilarious. As part of their campaign against the "indecency" of Nip/Tuck, they post a transcript of all the juicy bits of each episode online. It's hilarious to think some prude was busy typing in italicized descriptions of sexual acts.

Check out their opinions on the "Best" and "Worst" television show each week--they tend to like the most awful crap, while objecting to quite normal and mainstream things. They rail against The Simpsons for "mocking teachers, clergy, and law enforcement"....what the hell? They don't like Ms Krabapple, Reverend Lovejoy, or Chief Wiggum?

The PTC is really, really funny. Their website does a better job of showing what a ridiculous bunch of bleating idiots they are than anyone else could.

I keep having to suppress the urge to email them suggested viewing. I think Sealab 2021 would give them heart failure. Too bad Strangers With Candy isn't on the air anymore!

 

[RussDill]

I keep having to suppress the urge to email them suggested viewing. I think Sealab 2021 would give them heart failure. Too bad Strangers With Candy isn't on the air anymore!

Have you seen the venture brothers yet?

 

[TragicMonkey]

Have you seen the venture brothers yet?

I love their neighbor the necromancer, and have to restrain myself from speaking like him.

Yeah, PTC would love that one.

 

[Zep]

Why don't you launch a campaign of complaint against the PTC on the grounds that they are prohibiting decent upstanding Americans the freedom to watch what they wish, when they wish. And upstanding companies like Fox from showing what Americans want to watch.

After all, the PTC have the ultimate power in their own hands to restrict what they do not wish themselves and their families to hear or see - it's called THE TV REMOTE! Click it, why don't you.

And what's that "freedom of speech" bit in the US constitution again? Have you had enough and you're not going to take it any more? Hello, ShaneK?

 

[TragicMonkey]

Why don't you launch a campaign of complaint against the PTC on the grounds that they are prohibiting decent upstanding Americans the freedom to watch what they wish, when they wish. And upstanding companies like Fox from showing what Americans want to watch.

After all, the PTC have the ultimate power in their own hands to restrict what they do not wish themselves and their families to hear or see - it's called THE TV REMOTE! Click it, why don't you.

And what's that "freedom of speech" bit in the US constitution again? Have you had enough and you're not going to take it any more? Hello, ShaneK?

You just don't get it. The PTC opposes programming because that programming is wrong, and evil, and sinful. It's simply not enough to not watch it themselves--they must stamp it out of existence.

That's how you tell good people from bad people. Bad people are selfish, and will leave you alone. Good people will take the time and make the effort to save you from bad stuff, even if it f***ing kills you.

Be sure to thank them!

 

[Zep]

You just don't get it. The PTC opposes programming because that programming is wrong, and evil, and sinful. It's simply not enough to not watch it themselves--they must stamp it out of existence.

That's how you tell good people from bad people. Bad people are selfish, and will leave you alone. Good people will take the time and make the effort to save you from bad stuff, even if it f***ing kills you.

Be sure to thank them!

I understand all right. You let them do it to you! Because YOU'RE IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN!

Ooops, sorry. That just slipped out.

 

[Tony]

You guys will all burn in the eternal HELLFIRE!!!

 

[Eleatic Stranger]

If all it takes to influence the FCC is an automailer and a bunch of devoted lunatics, I think it's time to set up our own organization and get those psychics off the television.....

 

[Donks]

I keep having to suppress the urge to email them suggested viewing.

Tell them to watch Drawn Together.

 

[WildCat]

And what's that "freedom of speech" bit in the US constitution again? Have you had enough and you're not going to take it any more? Hello, ShaneK?

Here's the rationale behind the FCC, Zep. The airwaves are owned by the public, and radio bandwidth is limited and scarce. So this gives the FCC the right to dictate content. But they have no right whatsoever to dictate the content of cable or satellite TV or radio, since that bandwidth is privately owned and, for all practical purposes, unlimited.

Now, Congress has made overtures about allowing the FCC to regulate cable and satellite, but this would almost certainly be held unconstitutional by the courts.

That said, the PTC can bite me.

 

[jj]

Is inciting violence or hatred against minorities "indecency"?

If so, the next time Fallwell, or Robertson, or one of that bunch goes on about the "godless who are ruining our country" let's all file indecency complaints.

 

[Art Vandelay]

It's weird. In some ways it seems like the morality police is ore active, in other ways it seems like it's less so. Remember when NYPD Blue first aired? Would there be that much furur if it aired today? Maybe I just haven't seen the juicy parts.

The "standards" are rather odd. I recently saw The Wall on PBS, and for some reason they thought their viewers couldn't handle the s word. The part about killing the queers, coons and Jews they kept, though. I guess Cash had similar standards, considering how he edited that word out of Hurt, but kept all the stuff about suicide.

No way, the PTC is hilarious. As part of their campaign against the "indecency" of Nip/Tuck, they post a transcript of all the juicy bits of each episode online. It's hilarious to think some prude was busy typing in italicized descriptions of sexual acts.

Really? Do you have a link? For educational reasons, of course.

 

[Zep]

Here's the rationale behind the FCC, Zep. The airwaves are owned by the public, and radio bandwidth is limited and scarce. So this gives the FCC the right to dictate content. But they have no right whatsoever to dictate the content of cable or satellite TV or radio, since that bandwidth is privately owned and, for all practical purposes, unlimited.

Now, Congress has made overtures about allowing the FCC to regulate cable and satellite, but this would almost certainly be held unconstitutional by the courts.

That said, the PTC can bite me.

Understood. Which is why locally made and UK and European TV product here can say and show people's naked backsides, and naked female breasts, and use fairly racy language, in primetime without censure. But many of the imported US products have those laughable "fuzzy spots" on the video and sudden audio dropouts in the equivalent places. So, effectively, the US FCC has censored Australian TV viewing.

Interestingly, there appear to be two versions of many potentially censorable shows. Good example: The Osbournes. The censored product is filled with sudden cuts of scene, fuzzy video bits, and assorted (almost continous!) sound bleeps. But the "export"(?) version is untouched, and is thus far more realistic and enjoyable (if you're into that show, of course). I'd be interested which version the US gets to see - I suspect it's the doctored one...

 

[WildCat]

Interestingly, there appear to be two versions of many potentially censorable shows. Good example: The Osbournes. The censored product is filled with sudden cuts of scene, fuzzy video bits, and assorted (almost continous!) sound bleeps. But the "export"(?) version is untouched, and is thus far more realistic and enjoyable (if you're into that show, of course). I'd be interested which version the US gets to see - I suspect it's the doctored one...

The FCC has no authority over The Osbournes, which is (was) produced by MTV, a cable station. Any censorship there is only because MTV wanted it, not because the FCC made them do it. Maybe they're afraid that some cable companies will drop them (MTV) if they don't censor it. But again, this has nothing to do w/ the FCC.

And won't somebody THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!

 

[TragicMonkey]

Really? Do you have a link? For educational reasons, of course.

http://www.parentstv.org/

It's especially funny when they try to condemn something without stating the real reasons. They don't like Harry Potter, but instead of coming out and saying "satanism" they waffle on about "rebelliousness" and "mild profanity", and even make a sly allusion to Hermione's new tendency for physical contact. Yeah, PTC, I'm sure that when a werewolf is about to rip her skin off, Hermione decides that's a great time to feel up Harry Potter, tramp that she is. They also frequently condemn any movie or television show that has children knowing more than/being more mature than some adults.

PTC seems to think that what everyone needs is to blindly respect any form of authority.

 

[Ed]

WTF cares about TV. Here is a list of stations by DMA (designated marketing area, a Nielsen Media Research term). Stations can only appear in one of these geographic areas. Looking at this you can see that the number of stations varies from one to about twenty two. There are 4 unwired networks who can be affiliated with various stations and some stations have two affiliations.

This is the domain of the FCC vis a vis Television.

It is not a lot of sources (though an enormous number compared to any other country) of entertainment/information. My cable box (basic service) gives me about 90 channels, with duplication I probably have 20 channels that are regulated. I also have this computer. The trend is that share of viewing to OTA TV has been diminishing markedly.

My point? You don't look for Porn in Church. You don't look for racey stuff on TV (non-cable outlets). The choices are enormous and if more adult oriented fare is what the population at large wants, it will (or is) available in places that the feds can't touch.

The Networks know that OTA is dieing and they are looking at cable alternatives for OTA stuff that would not be airable OTA. The media world is changing and it is really stupid to look at this point in time and get outraged. You must have faith in a free market economy, and in the ability of Government to make themselves irrelevant.

 

[shecky]

Evidence over the air TV is dying?

Not around here. Over 15 different broadcast stations.

I suppose the broadcast companies care a great deal about indecency claims, since they seem arbitrarily made and can cost lots of money.