Indecency Regulation
FCC Interpretation of Federal Law
Two prominent television events placedincreased attention on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the broadcast indecency statute thatit enforces. The airingof an expletive by rock singer Bono during the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, as well as the “wardrobe malfunction that occurred during the 2004Super Bowl halftime show,resulted in the enactment of the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005,which increased the penalties forbroadcast indecency by tenfold. Evolution of the FCC’s Indecency Regulations Title 18 of the U.S. Code makes it unlawful to utter “anyobscene, indecent, or profane language by means of radio communication.Violators of this provision are subject to fines…
