Panel backs tough indecency policy
The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to give federal regulators the authority to enforce a tougher broadcast indecency policy in hopes of reversing a recent court ruling.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), directs the Federal Communications Commission to maintain a policy that a single word or image can be enough to trigger indecency fines.
Broadcasters strongly oppose the legislation, which passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Broadcasters had sued the FCC after it ruled in March 2006 that nearly any use of certain expletives were indecent, even when uttered impromptu. A federal court overturned the policy in June, sparking outrage from FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin and proponents of cleaner airwaves.
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