Broadcast decency

Re “Curses,” editorial, Nov. 8

The Times suggests that broadcast decency enforcement in connection with Bono’s use of a “fleeting expletive” is “frivolous.” An overwhelming majority of Americans might disagree. Rather than pushing for the right to use the “F-word” in front of children at any time of the day, television broadcasters could wait until 10 p.m. to do so, as is permitted by their FCC-granted broadcast licenses to use the public airwaves for free. Now apparently unsatisfied with an occasional “F-word” during live programs, a network recently flashed an image of a man’s penis during early prime-time programming.

Such conduct demands that the Supreme Court affirm the FCC’s ability to enforce the broadcast decency law as prescribed by Congress. Broadcasting is a privilege, not a right.

Timothy F. Winter

Los Angeles

The writer is president of the Parents Television Council.