TV networks and affiliates challenge FCC on “indecency”
Four television networks — ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox — and their respective affiliates are challenging an FCC ruling that several programs were indecent because of language. Snip:
The move represents a protest against the aggressive enforcement of federal indecency rules that broadcasters have complained are vague and inconsistently applied. Millions of dollars in fines have been levied based on those rules.
The appeals challenge the FCC’s finding that profane language was used on the CBS program “The Early Show” in 2004, two incidents on the “Billboard Music Awards” shows broadcast by News Corp.’s Fox in 2002 and 2003 and various episodes of the ABC show “NYPD Blue” that aired in 2003.