WASHINGTON – The government proposed a record fine of $3.6 million against dozens of CBS stations and affiliates Wednesday in a crackdown on what regulators called indecent television programming.
The Federal Communications Commission said a network program, “Without a Trace,” that aired in December 2004 was indecent. It cited the graphic depiction of “teenage boys and girls participating in a sexual orgy.”
The proposed fine was among decisions from the agency stemming from more than 300,000 complaints it received concerning nearly 50 TV shows broadcast between 2002 and 2005.
Rejecting an appeal by CBS, the FCC also upheld its previous $550,000 fine against 20 of the network’s stations for the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” at the Super Bowl two years ago.
These were the first fines issued under FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, clearing a backlog of investigations into indecency complaints. The commission issued no fines last year.
“The number of complaints received by the commission has risen year after year,” said Martin. “I share the concerns of the public – and of parents, in particular – that are voiced in these complaints.”
Responding to other complaints, the commission found that Fox Television Network violated decency standards during the 2003 Billboard Music Awards. During the broadcast, actress Nicole Richie uttered the “F” word and a common vulgarity for excrement.
“Each of these words is among the most offensive words in the English language,” the FCC said. But it declined to issue a fine against Fox because at the time of the broadcast existing precedent indicated the commission would not take action against isolated use of expletives, the FCC said.
The commission also declined to fine Fox or its stations for the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, in which Cher uttered the F word.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
