Starting to Fight Back

Since the Janet Jackson incident at Super Bowl XXXVIII, the FCC has assessed many, many fines to television networks and stations, many of which seem excessive.

Recently the FCC assessed CBS with a $3.6 million fine for an episode of the drama Without a Trace that depicted teens engaging in group sex. CBS was also assessed a $550,000 fine for the Janet Jackson incident. Recent fines to CBS include items heard on The Early Show and Survivor: Vanuatu.

ABC and FOX have not been exempt from these recent fines. ABC was assessed fines due to language on NYPD Blue and FOX was fined for some portrayals of sex on the reality show Married by America.

The networks aren’t going to take this lying down. These three networks, in addition to NBC who did not receive a fine in this recent round, and their affiliates (which represent about 800 stations) have filed appeals in federal court against these rulings.

It really does appear that the FCC has been running roughshod over the networks and their programming. Much of what was being fined would not have received a fine a decade ago. What does this actually say about the state of our country when we are working toward censoring things more than ever before? Is this really the road that we want to follow as a nation?