FCC brass uneasy over artist fines
So Powell and the FCC brass having (in part) stirred this whole legislative fine mess to a fever pitch up with chest pounding about indecency, are suddenly shy and uncomfortable when it come to actually going after individual performers.
What the hell did you think it would entail at the end of the day chuckles?
They thought the fines would be for sneaky attacks against the news outlets.
So if a senator had a gripe about Dan Rather, he would call for a fine for his station’s airing a Howard Stern - type show after midnight.
Howard was cancelled and the station paid a fine.
But actually going for Howard would not satisfy the blood lust against the liberals.
After midnight is fine…the indecency provisions are only applicable from 6 am-10 pm. I can understand the reluctance of the FCC to go after actual performers. It’s never been done before, and raises some first amendment issues that fining the broadcasters doesn’t.
My WAG-
They were more interested in hemming and hawwing about it than they are about actually doing something about it.
Same reason why it’s always the party out of power that wants procedural reforms.
Broadcasters: should be regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
Individuals: should not be regulated by the FCC.
That bill would extend FCC regulation to individuals. That seems stupid. Powell’s position makes sense to me.