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Current FCC censorship confines broadcast networks

Tuesday, April, 23, 2013; 10:29 PM | | |

by Marcus Williams, regular columnist

In a surprising turn of events, the FCC announced early this month it would consider hearing arguments for changing current broadcast television decency standards.

Currently, broadcast television networks are banned from using explicit profanity and non-sexual nudity between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. If the networks dont comply, the FCC is permitted to impose fines of up to $325,000 per incident.

This is in contrast to cable networks (FX, Comedy Central, AMC, etc.) who dont face these same restrictions.

And while many may see this change in stance by the FCC as a mere reflection ofAmerican society, the FCCs ultimate goals here are protecting the market for television, which is a cause for concern seeing as it isnt often, if ever, considered a division within the government that has any economic interest or authority.

Since the spring season of television began this year, broadcast television ratings have declined, while cable ratings increased.

According to Nielsen, a company dedicated to gathering statistics on what Americans watch, read, play, browse and buy, the American people are beginning to switch what they watch on television.

The Nielsen data shows that cable television programs like "Sons of Anarchy," "Duck Dynasty" and "The Walking Dead" are consistently beating broadcast programs like "Dancing With the Stars," "Castle," "30 Rock" and "Parenthood" in terms of ratings and overall viewership, and many broadcast ratings are currently experiencing record-low ratings numbers.

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Current FCC censorship confines broadcast networks