Outraged Public is Demanding FCC Reverse 'F-Word' Ruling

by Allie Martin
January 15, 2004

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(AgapePress) - The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has recommended that a ruling which allowed the use of an all too well-known four-letter word be overturned.

Earlier this year the Enforcement Bureau of the FCC ruled that the broadcast of the expletive during NBC's Golden Globe Awards program did not violate indecency laws. On Monday, American Family Association attorney Patrick Vaughn met with FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, citing concerns with lax enforcement of FCC rules regarding indecent language on broadcast television and radio.

Randy Sharp

Randy Sharp, special projects director for AFA, says the FCC's recent decision sparked a powder keg of indignation and concern among Christians. "There were millions of parents all across America who were outraged -- number one, that this word would be broadcast on national television; and number two, that the FCC did not do anything about it," the activist says.

Sharp shares that many feel the FCC has failed to fulfill its mandate. "It's the authority of the Federal Communications Commission, by order of the United States government, to enforce indecency and obscenity laws with regard to broadcast television and radio," he says. "The FCC has an obligation to the American public to make sure that the airwaves are used in a manner consistent with family values and not [the low standards of] renegade producers for network television shows."

Over the past few months, AFA supporters have generated more than one million e-mail messages to FCC commissioners, asking them to reverse their approval of the expletive during the so-called "family hour" of network programming. Sharp says FCC reversal of the Enforcement Bureau's earlier ruling would send a strong message.

At least one member of the federal agency seems to be paying attention to the public outcry. FCC chairman Michael Powell has sent a recommendation to the four other commissioners to overturn the ruling that allows the expletive during prime time.