Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

March 11, 2004

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. 3717, the Broadcast Decency Act. The legislation, which Etheridge co-sponsored, would force the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take a tougher approach to those who violate federal decency standards on the airwaves. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 391-22.

"This legislation will promote our North Carolina values by imposing tougher penalties on media outlets that allow offensive and objective material to find their way to the eyes, ears and minds of our children," Etheridge said. "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. 3717 would:

Raise the fines the FCC can levy for indecency violations from $27,500 to $500,000,
Allow the FCC the option of fining individual performers for violations,
Require the FCC to consider revoking a license after a broadcaster commits three offenses,
Instruct the FCC to take past indecency violations into account when deciding whether to renew a broadcast company's license, and
Establish a 180- day deadline for the FCC to make enforcement decisions.

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