FCC Urged to Stand Fast When Defending the Nation's Airwaves
by Rusty Pugh and Mary Rettig
May 3, 2004
(AgapePress) - A pro-family activist says companies like Viacom have no right to use the public-owned airwaves to spread filth.
Viacom is one of several broadcast giants to ask the Federal Communications Commission to rescind its recent ban on certain profanities on radio and television -- and to relent on its intentions to levy heavy fines and perhaps even revoke broadcast licenses for violators of the ban. A memo from the companies requesting the action described the FCC's rule as "too harsh." (See Earlier Article)
Randy Sharp | |
However, Randy Sharp, director of special projects for the American Family Association, does not feel the federal agency is being harsh -- he says the FCC is just protecting the airwaves for its owners: the American public."The filth that's coming out of Viacom's headquarters ought not be on the airwaves that you and I own," Sharp states. "If they want to do this privately, there are First Amendment considerations. When you're talking about the airwaves that you and I own, these kinds of activities should not occur -- and if they occur, the Federal Communications Commission should be harsh."
Viacom owns MTV, known for its pro-homosexual and pro-abortion programming. It also owns VH1, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central -- all of which have been monitored by pro-family groups in the past.
Local Stations Fight Back
Meanwhile, a proposal before the FCC could allow local TV stations to reject shows that offend their viewers.
Alan Frank, the chief of the Network-Affiliated Stations Alliance, says that the decision-making about what airs has been unfairly taken out of the hands of local stations. The FCC has rules in place that allow stations to remove shows they deem unsuitable or unsatisfactory.
But Frank says that NBC, Fox, and ABC have forced their affiliates to sign very restrictive contracts that allow for just a few preemptions. So three years ago, the Alliance filed a petition saying the networks have usurped local control.
Federal regulators now seem ready to approve the proposal after recent urging from lawmakers during hearings on indecent programming. In fact, FCC chairman Michael Powell said that the proposal would go to the commissioners for a vote next month.
