Coalition Takes On FCC View of Indecency

A coalition of entertainment giants, trade guilds and free-speech groups is mounting an offensive against the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to regulate alleged indecency over the airwaves.

Viacom Inc., which owns CBS as well as MTV Networks, and News Corp., which owns Fox Broadcasting Co., on Monday joined the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild and nearly 20 other groups in filing a petition asking the FCC to reconsider a ruling regarding Bono, who used a sexual expletive while accepting an award at the 2003 telecast of the Golden Globes on NBC.

The FCC, reversing a decision by its staff, determined last month that Bono’s use of the word was “indecent and profane” but chose not to fine the U2 singer or any NBC stations that carried the program.

The group says the FCC’s authority over broadcast standards is vague and subjective and has caused a chilling effect on TV and radio programming.

The filing noted that the makers of “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” scrapped plans for this year’s CBS telecast, even though the FCC staff had cleared the show in the past. Some PBS documentaries also have trimmed strong language or other content, the filing said.

FCC officials could not be reached for comment.

Viacom, whose radio subsidiary Infinity syndicates Howard Stern’s radio program, was a prime force behind the coalition, according to several people familiar with the situation.

Viacom officials couldn’t be reached for comment about the $495,000 fine proposed for Clear Channel Communications Inc. for airing Stern broadcasts.

In addition to Clear Channel, other major entertainment companies not included in the coalition are Walt Disney Co. and Time Warner Inc. NBC owner General Electric Co. is not part of the coalition, but it is pursuing an independent campaign, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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Times staff writer Lynn Smith contributed to this report.