March 16, 2006 TV Stations Fined Over CBS Show Deemed to Be Indecent By JULIE BOSMAN NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/16/business/media/16fine.html?pagewanted=print The Federal Communications Commission leveled a record $3.6 million fine yesterday against 111 television stations that broadcast an episode of "Without a Trace" in December 2004, with the agency saying the CBS show suggested that its teenage characters were participating in a sexual orgy. The program was among nine cited yesterday for fines totaling about $4 million on agency accusations of violating decency standards between February 2002 and March 2005. The fines are the first indecency actions by the commission since Kevin J. Martin, a Republican, became chairman last March. F.C.C. officials said the fines, which can be appealed, were intended in part to make clear what type of material is allowed under F.C.C. standards. The decisions were specific to the programs cited, and did not provide more general comments. The orders were notable for the breadth of programming cited, from Spanish-language music videos to live award shows. Complaints against 28 programs were dismissed, but 20 shows were found to have violated decency standards. One show, "N.Y.P.D. Blue," was cited for indecency violations in eight separate episodes. Eleven programs were found to be indecent but were not fined. The orders are in response to more than 300,000 consumer complaints about programming that viewers found indecent, profane or obscene. Many complaints are lodged in large numbers by organized groups and not by independent viewers. CBS defended the "Without a Trace" episode, saying the episode contained "an important and socially relevant storyline warning parents to exercise greater supervision of their teenage children." The F.C.C. also upheld a $550,000 fine leveled at CBS for the Janet Jackson breast-baring incident during the halftime show at the 2004 Super Bowl. In a statement last night, CBS said it continued to disagree that the incident was "legally indecent." "More than two years ago we apologized to viewers for the inappropriate and unexpected halftime incident," the statement said. "We will continue to pursue all remedies necessary to affirm our legal rights. Today's decision by the F.C.C. is just another step in the process." Michael K. Powell, the former chairman of the commission, was criticized for a hard line on indecency cases, but Mr. Martin appears to be taking an even tougher stance. He is also promising to speed the F.C.C.'s response time, vowing to address complaints within nine months of being lodged, said Tamara Lipper, a spokeswoman for the F.C.C. Ms. Lipper said the orders could give broadcasters guidance in what is appropriate programming. "The commission is committed to a restrained, effective and consistent approach," she said. Tim Winter, the executive director of the Parents Television Council, a conservative advocacy group, said the group believed that the law was applied properly "in every instance." "We absolutely are elated by the rulings handed down by the F.C.C.," Mr. Winter said. "Where they could fine a broadcaster for breaking the law, they did so. We think this sends a very powerful signal that those who violate the law will be punished." E. Christopher Murray, a civil rights lawyer at Reisman, Peirez & Reisman in Garden City, N.Y., said the decisions might have a chilling effect on broadcasters. "The F.C.C., in its mind, is getting tougher on these kinds of programs," Mr. Murray said. "But there's going to be a difficult job for the TV networks to determine what's acceptable and what's not." ================================ George Antunes, Political Science Dept University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204 Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927 antunes at uh dot edu Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
