News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

February 16, 2005

                                       Contact: Sara Lang
                                       Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Votes to Keep Smut off TV

WASHINGTON - In response to an escalation in the use of crude, vulgar language and stunts pushing the borders of indecency and obscenity on radio and television, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today voted in favor of H.R. 310, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act. The legislation, which Etheridge co-sponsored, would increase the maximum fine for broadcasters who allow indecent material by more than 1,400 percent and would drastically increase maximum penalties for individuals who violate decency standards during a broadcast. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 389-38.

"This legislation will promote our North Carolina values by holding media outlets and individuals accountable for the offensive and objective material on the airwaves," Etheridge said. "These increased penalties will help keep smut off television and radio and away from our children. Whether it's actors at the Golden Globe Awards, radio shock jocks, or entertainers at the Super Bowl, the standards of what is appropriate for the public airwaves have been significantly and effectively lowered. Given the amount of time children spend with a television, computer screen or radio, parents need to know that the government is meeting its responsibility in regulating the public airwaves and upholding standards of decency."

HR. 310 would:

  • Raise the fines the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can levy on media outlets for indecency violations from $32,500 to $500,000,
  • Raise the fines the FCC can levy on individuals who "willfully or intentionally" violate decency standards during a television or radio broadcast from $11,000 to $500,000,
  • Require the FCC to consider revoking a license after a broadcaster commits three offenses, and
  • Instruct the FCC to take past indecency violations into account when deciding whether to renew a broadcast company's license, and

The Broadcast Decency Act now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. For more information on the FCC, please visit www.fcc.gov.
   
   
   
   

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