October 9, 2003
F.C.C. Ruling Could Allow Use Of "F-word" On T.V.
By Jon Hanian BOISE -

In broadcasting, dropping the so called "F-bomb" goes
over like an H-bomb. But the FCC has now ruled that
the use of the "F-word" by U-2 frontman "Bono" at
the Golden Globe awards **did not** violate federal
indecency rules.

The FCC rules say the use of the word must be "patently offensive"
to be considered indecent. But the FCC ruled that when Bono
received a Golden Globe award on television and
said, "this is really f * * * * * * brilliant," he did not violate
FCC rules. They ruled that the word was used as an adjective
instead of a verb and therefore, while it may have been
crude, it was not "patently offensive."

If that FCC decision confuses you, think about how those
of us in the media are trying to to interpret it.

Dr. Rick Moore of the Boise State University Communications
Department believes this decision will muddy the already
muddy waters for broadcasters who struggle with what is
acceptable and unacceptable speech. "I think it might give
some people a sense of greater license to not be quite so
tight on that bleep button as they have been in the past,"
said Moore.

At Idaho 2 News, General Manager Jeff Anderson says
while the ruling may make an already murky situation
murkier, KBCI TV will not air the F-word in any context.
"We have an obligation to program in the public
interest, and in my opinion broadcasting programming
with that kind of language is inappropriate and we
won't do it," he said.

---------------------------------

(Story 2)

FCC relaxes TV rules on use of f-word
By Chris Baker
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Remember comedian George Carlin's list of the seven dirty words you can't
say on television?

It just got a little shorter.

The Federal Communications Commission ruled this month that
Irish rocker Bono did not violate federal indecency rules when
he used the f-word during an acceptance speech at the
Golden Globe Awards, which NBC broadcast in January.

"This is really, really [expletive] brilliant," Bono said during
the ceremony, using the f-word as an adjective.
The speech aired live on the East Coast. The FCC said it
received 234 complaints, all but 17 of them from individuals
associated with the Parents Television Council, a nonprofit
group that monitors programs for adult content.

The FCC rejected the complaints Oct. 3 in a written statement
that used the f-word far more often than Bono did on the air.
David H. Solomon, chief of the FCC's enforcement
bureau, said the word "may be crude and offensive, but, in
the context presented here, did not describe sexual or
excretory organs and activities."

That distinction is a key to test whether a statement meets
a federal standard for broadcast indecency, according to FCC staffers.
Mr. Solomon said in the ruling that Bono used the vulgarity as
an adjective or to emphasize an exclamation and that "the use
of specific words, including expletives or other 'four-letter words'
does not render material obscene."

Laura Mahaney, director of corporate and entertainment affairs for
the Parents Television Council, has vowed an appeal. "The ruling
is outrageous. It's splitting hairs," she said.

Activists said they fear the FCC's ruling will allow the f-word
and other vulgarities to become more common in prime-time television.
"We're gradually getting to the point where nothing will be off-limits,"
said Jim O'Connor, president of the Cuss Control Academy, a Lake
Forest, Ill., group that advises individuals on ways to limit cursing.
Spokesmen for NBC and the other major broadcast networks
rejected the suggestion that the ruling will lead to more salty language in
prime time.

However, they acknowledge they face heavy competition from
cable networks such as HBO and FX, which have more freedom
to air edgy shows because they do not deliver programs over the
FCC-regulated airwaves.

The FCC's Enforcement Bureau issued the ruling on Bono's language.
The five-member FCC panel did not vote on the matter.
Commissioner Michael J. Copps, one of two Democrats on the
panel, said he has not reviewed the case, but if it had come
before him, he may not have dismissed the complaints.
"I do believe under the right circumstances that a word in
and of itself can be indecent without having to fit in
with a wider context," he said.

Six years ago, activists and the Clinton administration pushed the
networks to adopt a content-ratings system that would enable V-chips
to block programs parents deemed inappropriate.
At the time, some network executives feared the ratings system
would lead to bland scripts and cost them viewers.
For the most part, broadcasters have continued to push the
limits of decorum with programs such as "NYPD Blue," a pioneer
in the use of four-letter words. The show crossed another line
last season when ABC permitted writers to slip a coarse word
for bull dung into an episode.

Canada has had the "F" word and full sexuality on our broadcast TV for
over 20 years.

God, Yank culture is sooooo behind the times :

--
Gregg
*It's probably useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

Canada has had the "F" word and full sexuality on our broadcast TV for
over 20 years.

God, Yank culture is sooooo behind the times :

--
Gregg
*It's probably useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

Dr. Anton Phibes wrote:
"This is really, really [expletive] brilliant," Bono said during
the ceremony, using the f-word as an adjective.
The speech aired live on the East Coast. The FCC said it
received 234 complaints, all but 17 of them from individuals
associated with the Parents Television Council, a nonprofit
group that monitors programs for adult content.

That's an adverb, not an adjective.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Dr. Anton Phibes wrote:
"This is really, really [expletive] brilliant," Bono said during
the ceremony, using the f-word as an adjective.
The speech aired live on the East Coast. The FCC said it
received 234 complaints, all but 17 of them from individuals
associated with the Parents Television Council, a nonprofit
group that monitors programs for adult content.

That's an adverb, not an adjective.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

"Ron Hardin" wrote in message
...
Dr. Anton Phibes wrote:
"This is really, really [expletive] brilliant," Bono said during
the ceremony, using the f-word as an adjective.
The speech aired live on the East Coast. The FCC said it
received 234 complaints, all but 17 of them from individuals
associated with the Parents Television Council, a nonprofit
group that monitors programs for adult content.

That's an adverb, not an adjective.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Actually Ron, I didn't write the above point on grammatical content.

The FCC did (!) in their 'official' decision. Guess it proves the point
that the FCC *should be regulating technical issues* and not issues
of program content.

Your typical Washington DC bureaucracy at work.

When their not wasting money their likely wasting time and putting
out useless and/or esoteric info that's not worth the ink used to
coat the paper saidsame is printed upon.

"Ron Hardin" wrote in message
...
Dr. Anton Phibes wrote:
"This is really, really [expletive] brilliant," Bono said during
the ceremony, using the f-word as an adjective.
The speech aired live on the East Coast. The FCC said it
received 234 complaints, all but 17 of them from individuals
associated with the Parents Television Council, a nonprofit
group that monitors programs for adult content.

That's an adverb, not an adjective.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Actually Ron, I didn't write the above point on grammatical content.

The FCC did (!) in their 'official' decision. Guess it proves the point
that the FCC *should be regulating technical issues* and not issues
of program content.

Your typical Washington DC bureaucracy at work.

When their not wasting money their likely wasting time and putting
out useless and/or esoteric info that's not worth the ink used to
coat the paper saidsame is printed upon.

The FCC did (!) in their 'official' decision. Guess it proves the point
that the FCC *should be regulating technical issues* and not issues
of program content.

I still remember how to change channels.

Programming is driven by revenue.
If people watch it, then the ad time is worth money, and whatever it is,
we'll get more of it.
If people turn it off, then the ad time looses value, and whatever it is, it
will get pulled.

Hard to imagine a more democratic method of selection.

The FCC did (!) in their 'official' decision. Guess it proves the point
that the FCC *should be regulating technical issues* and not issues
of program content.

I still remember how to change channels.

Programming is driven by revenue.
If people watch it, then the ad time is worth money, and whatever it is,
we'll get more of it.
If people turn it off, then the ad time looses value, and whatever it is, it
will get pulled.

Hard to imagine a more democratic method of selection.

It's about ****ing time. The word has 100 usages and about 3 of them
refer to sex.

On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 02:36:24 GMT, Herbert West
wrote:

On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 21:33:32 -0400, "Dr. Anton Phibes"
wrote:

October 9, 2003
F.C.C. Ruling Could Allow Use Of "F-word" On T.V.
By Jon Hanian BOISE -

In broadcasting, dropping the so called "F-bomb" goes
over like an H-bomb. But the FCC has now ruled that
the use of the "F-word" by U-2 frontman "Bono" at
the Golden Globe awards **did not** violate federal
indecency rules.

It's crude, and maybe vulgar in context, but I've heard and viewed
worse on BC TV. The F word can be heard on any street an any time of
day and even in primary schools and even nursery schools.

Its too common to stamp out of the english language. Might as well
loosen the restriction and play up the non-vulgar non-sexual usages of
the word.

It's funny how everybody pretends to be shocked when they hear it over
and over all the4 i\time in real life.