About Time
Finally, TV broadcasters are getting together to fight the FCC. I personally think the FCC should regulate TVs and radios like any other home appliance. Make sure they don't shock you, sure, and prevent competitors from jamming frequencies, but that's about it.
Years ago, the government usurped our freedom by declaring the airwaves special. Unlike ink, which they don't regulate to license newspapers, the government is allowed to make all sorts of rules regarding what's on the airwaves. All in the name of (snort!) The Public. If the public truly owns the airwaves, then let them decide what to watch without the FCC's intervention. Instead, the FCC is allowed to act in "the public interest," which for some reason means putting on shows the public isn't interested in.
That was bad enough. But ever since the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction, the FCC has gone hog wild. They shouldn't have the power to fine anyone, but now they think they should be allowed to fine people out of existence.
Generally, the TV mucky-mucks have played along, figuring it's the cost of doing business. But lately the FCC's been so drunk with power, it's even ticked off the networks. Rather than take it, they're taking the FCC to court.
They have only one weapon. It's called the First Amendment, which FCC poobahs might be surprised to discover outranks even them. Unfortunately, the courts have given the FCC some leeway to regulate content--but it's not unlimited. It's time they learned their lesson. Here's hoping the courts favor freedom over censorship.
posted by LAGuy @ 1:30 AM
2 Comments:
What's even more frightening is the argument I have heard from people I thought were otherwise intelligent (both lib and con)that since the internet and cable have so much more sex and violence (as well as generally superior content)there is a crying need for government regulation on the FCC model. As long as the FCC exists on its little turf of communicuation ground, it is a threat to free expression everywhere. Supposed "bias" in the media is nowhere near as chilling as content controlled by the same people who run the tax system.
You'd think they might look at the freer atmosphere of cable, notice that it's available to much of the population yet hasn't destroyed our nation, and decide to let things alone. But that's now how the government works.
In the original 5-4 Supreme Court decision that allowed the government to regulate indecency over the airwaves, part of the reasoning of the majority was the content would still be available elsewhere. So it's amazing that people use the FCC's regulatory powers as argument for even more censorship.
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