Broadcast indecency fines to jump tenfold under new law

Published: 2006-06-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The maximum fine for airing indecent material on broadcast television or radio has gone up tenfold, from $32,500 to $325,000, under a new law signed June 15 by President George W. Bush. "This law will ensure that broadcasters take seriously their duty to keep the public airwaves free of obscene, profane and indecent material," Bush said at a June 15 signing ceremony for the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act. "American families expect and deserve nothing less." Religious organizations and family advocacy groups including the Religious Freedom Coalition and the Family Research Council hailed the new law. But other groups such as the Center for Creative Voices in Media called it censorship, saying there are better ways to shield children from indecent programming, including the current V-chip technology. "Parents are the first line of defense," Bush said, "but broadcasters and the electronics industry must play a valuable role in protecting our children from obscene and indecent programming."

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