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| Wilson Cosponsors Broadcast Decency Bill |
February 03, 2005 |
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Wilson Champions Improved Enforcement by FCC
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today cosponsored the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 which mirrors legislation she championed last year.
The bill, H.R. 310, has broad bipartisan support in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and reflects the work of extensive committee hearings in the 108th Congress. Last year’s version of the bill passed the House by a vote of 391-22 on March 11, 2004.
The legislation’s centerpiece is a provision coauthored in Committee by Reps. Wilson (R-NM) and Albert Wynn (D-MD) that places a broadcaster’s license at risk for three violations of indecency standards on public airwaves.
“The FCC plays an important role in protecting Americans, particularly children, from indecent programming,” Wilson said. “The FCC has a statutory mandate to prohibit indecency on broadcasts. Over the years, that enforcement has been inadequate and the tools that they have at their disposal have proven insufficient.”
Provisions of the bill strengthen the FCC’s enforcement options, including:
· Requiring that the FCC hold a license revocation hearing for a broadcaster found liable for indecency violations three times within the term of the license.
· Increasing the maximum fine for indecency violations from $32,000 to $500,000.
· Increasing the expectations for prompt enforcement action by the FCC so that punishment is swift and sure.
· Respecting the concerns of local broadcasters who do not always have prior notice of network programming, by holding harmless local affiliates when they do not review the material in advance, and allowing the FCC to fine the networks.
“I believe these rules are needed. I also believe we have already had an effect on this industry. FCC enforcement was lax and, when imposed, was largely symbolic. That is changing and we are monitoring its implementation. But the real change will come in the board rooms and general manager’s offices and broadcast studios when people decide to be responsible, and choose to entertain rather than denigrate.”
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