Language Rules from FCC
 

A neighbor tells me that the FCC has recently ruled that broadcast radio
stations are now "legally" able to "say the F word" on the air, as long as
it isn't sexual. Yeah, I know, go figure.

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of it.
Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur radio
now. The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?

Kim W5TIT

"Kim" wrote in message ...
A neighbor tells me that the FCC has recently ruled that broadcast radio
stations are now "legally" able to "say the F word" on the air, as long as
it isn't sexual. Yeah, I know, go figure.

I think it was in response to some rock star accepting an award and
saying it was "[expletive deleted]ing wonderful" or some such. FCC
said it wasn't a violation in that case. But if he'd said he was so
happy he wanted to [expletive deleted] the presenter, it would be a
violation.

Yeah, go figure.

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of it.

Of course not. They're not gonna advertise it because then everybody
would be saying it.

Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur radio
now.

Nothing, I hope.

The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?

Nope. FCC has completely different rules for different services. The
fact that somebody gets away with something in the broadcast services
doesn't mean it's OK in the ARS.

FCC regulates all electronic communications, not just radio waves.
Cable TV as well as broadcast TV, for example. Yet there are things
the cable folks can show that the broadcat folks can't. The thinking
is that people sign up for cable only if they want it, and it's a
private system, not the public airways. Broadcast TV is public
property. So it's like the difference between what's allowed in a
strip club and what's allowed on the street.

Between broadcasting and amatuer radio is the question of scheduling
and predictability. All broadcasters publish advance schedules, with
content warnings. So you can know what you're likely to see and hear
*before* tuning in to Howard Stern or the Victoria's Secret Fashion
Special. Not the case in amateur radio.

73 de Jim, N2EY

Kim W5TIT wrote:

A neighbor tells me that the FCC has recently ruled that broadcast radio
stations are now "legally" able to "say the F word" on the air, as long as
it isn't sexual. Yeah, I know, go figure.

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of it.
Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur radio
now. The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?



Dispite what the f ing FCC says, I'm not going to say the f ing f word
on f ing ham radio! ;-)

On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 04:21:05 -0600, Kim W5TIT wrote:

A neighbor tells me that the FCC has recently ruled that broadcast radio
stations are now "legally" able to "say the F word" on the air, as long as
it isn't sexual. Yeah, I know, go figure.

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of it.
Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur radio
now. The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?

The Commish, in its infinite wisdom, decidied to take no action on
the situation (i.e. they just hid from their responsibilities once
again).

This is vastly different from saying that it's OK to use that
language. This also does not create any precedent that anyone can
rely on.

The next sitution may result in full-fledged prosecution - who is to
say it won't? Nowadays one can't predict what they will do.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

In article , "Kim W5TIT"
writes:

A neighbor tells me that the FCC has recently ruled that broadcast radio
stations are now "legally" able to "say the F word" on the air, as long as
it isn't sexual. Yeah, I know, go figure.

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of it.
Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur radio
now. The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?

Kim, you are welcome to look IN DETAIL all throughout Title 47 C.F.R.
and you are NOT going to find those "words." [it's a 5-volume set on
paper from the G.P.O.]

There is NO such "word list."

All that you can find are some generalized statements about obscenity
and so forth in the rules, ALL rules and regulations.

The only "words" in broadcasting are at the NAB, the National
Association of Broadcasters...and the individual Standards
groups at individual broadcasting networks.

LHA

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of
it.

Of course not. They're not gonna advertise it because then everybody
would be saying it.

Geee..... didn't Carlin cover this??? (i.e. George Carlin?)


Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur
radio
now.

Nothing, I hope.

The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?

Nope. FCC has completely different rules for different services. The
fact that somebody gets away with something in the broadcast services
doesn't mean it's OK in the ARS.

Generally the terminology states soemething to the effect of "good amateur
practice." My ONLY PROBLEM with that is WHO gets to decide what the
benchmark is for good amateur practice...... If the FCC, who issues our
licenses are not going to do it, then who?


As for specific words??? Dunno, is there a list?? :) Who makes the list
then? Are other things other than the known "7 dirty words" included? If
someone is of say, for instance a different faith than you, do you get to
determine anything they say religiously is offensive and should be banned
speech? I am sure there are other examples one could come up with......



--
Ryan KC8PMX

"Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you
still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs."

Ryan, KC8PMX wrote:

Geee..... didn't Carlin cover this??? (i.e. George Carlin?)




As for specific words??? Dunno, is there a list?? :) Who makes the list
then? Are other things other than the known "7 dirty words" included? If
someone is of say, for instance a different faith than you, do you get to
determine anything they say religiously is offensive and should be banned
speech? I am sure there are other examples one could come up with......



Heard (possible urban legend) that the FCC in "case law" refers to
George Carlin's list
but doesn't actually list the words. George Carlin's recorded comedy
bit is a "published
work", like that of a book, and thus can be referred to in another
document. I'm no
lawyer, so the above could be BS.....

"Ryan, KC8PMX" wrote in message ...
But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of
it.

Of course not. They're not gonna advertise it because then everybody
would be saying it.

Geee..... didn't Carlin cover this??? (i.e. George Carlin?)

Yep, 1970's. George and Buddy got rich off of being nasty.

In article ,
(N2EY) writes:

Between broadcasting and amatuer radio is the question of scheduling
and predictability. All broadcasters publish advance schedules, with
content warnings. So you can know what you're likely to see and hear
*before* tuning in to Howard Stern or the Victoria's Secret Fashion
Special. Not the case in amateur radio.

Jim:

Precisely. On amateur radio, one never knows when one will encounter
something which may make someone think twice about our hobby being
a wholesome and proper activity for a young person. When that happens,
whether or not what was said was "legal" within the letter of the law, the
potential exists for the effect to bring the ARS "...one step closer to
extinction."

73 de Larry, K3LT

In article , "Kim W5TIT"
writes:

A neighbor tells me that the FCC has recently ruled that broadcast radio
stations are now "legally" able to "say the F word" on the air, as long as
it isn't sexual. Yeah, I know, go figure.

But, when I did a quick search on the FCC website, I found nothing of it.
Anyone know of this...my thoughts are on what will happen in amateur radio
now. The broadcast arena has always been the barometer of what people are
allowed to say on the air, hasn't it?

Kim W5TIT

Kim:

You apparently couldn't care less about whether or not sexually-suggestive,
objectionable language used in the context of poor individual judgment is
used on-the-air. If you did, you would have taken Mr. Hollingsworth's
admonishment to heart, and changed your call sign. However, if it makes
you feel better, in recent weeks I've heard the words "****" and "****" used
on prime-time TV programs. The effect that had on me was to make me
pick up my infrared transmitting device and QSY to The History Channel.

73 de Larry, K3LT