[grc] fcc profanity

[MichaelP]

FCC nas this problem of dealing with broadcast obscenity and indecency 
without having the authority or wish to involve a jury in deciding
on the definition of those words.  Sometime in the last decade they came 
up with "profanity" as something they wished licensees to avoid 
broadcasting during daytime hours  in addition to "indecency"
which is found to allow FCC imposition of forfeiture penalties.

But both those words involve case-by-case analysis as well as requiring 
complaint by listeners.

And now we understand that "Washington Redskins" is not indecent and 
doesn't fit the label of "profane" so as to render a station liable for 
forfeiture.


Profanity used to be applied to religious swearwords like "damn" and 
"hell". But the FCC says proafnity refer to sexual or excretory 
functions"
One day us-folks may understand.

Mi chaelP

  ex-grc alien, anarchis and atheist listcop


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 05:43:16 +0000
Subject: Google Alert - fcc profanity

=== News - 2 new results for [fcc profanity] ===

FCC rules 'Redskins' is not profane
The Week Magazine
The Washington Redskins is not an indecent name, the FCC ruled Thursday.
For the agency to ban profanity on the radio, it must be deemed sexual or
...
<https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://theweek.com/speedreads/index/274002/speedreads-fcc-rules-redskins-is-not-profane&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoSMjc3NzU5NTI0NDYzNDYyNjAyMho5ZTI5YTM2ZTNjZjhkMzhmOmNvbTplbjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNEJkaSJLPVhqBA-lebS3KzgPNH3Zw>

Sports briefs: FCC: 'Redskins' not profane
Pocono Record
But the FCC said that the law defines profanity as sexual or excretory in
nature — meanings that don't relate to the name of the football team.
<https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20141218/NEWS/141219381/101011&ct=ga&cd=CAEYASoSMjc3NzU5NTI0NDYzNDYyNjAyMho5ZTI5YTM2ZTNjZjhkMzhmOmNvbTplbjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNGT5uU5s33Wzo2Au54ygwYwUASMWg>