February 16, 2005

Akin Supports Bolstering FCC Decency Standards

Washington- The U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation strengthening the enforcement of FCC decency standards by establishing meaningful fines for FCC violations. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, HR 310, would increase the cap for a violation from $32,500 to $500,000 per violation.

"I commend outgoing Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Powell for showing leadership and enforcing decency regulation," U.S. Representative Todd Akin (R-Mo) said in a speech given on the House floor, "But at a time when a 30 second television ad can cost $2.4 million, a $32,500 cap on penalties seems absurd."

Last year, a similar proposal was passed by the House and then attached by the Senate to a Defense Department Authorizations bill. The measure was later removed when the House and Senate met to address differences in their respective authorizations bills.

Expressing confidence that the Senate is more likely to find the political will to pass the legislation this year, Akin, an original cosponsor of HR 310 said that, "For too long, radio 'shock jocks' have pushed the moral envelope by broadcasting vulgar and indecent comments over the public radio waves."

"With the increasing use of vulgarity during major award shows and even the Super Bowl half-time show, parents are becoming increasingly outraged. The legislation passed today in the House reflects that rightful outrage and I am hopeful that the Senate will take action later this year," Akin concluded.