F-Bombs OK? FCC Asks If It Should Ease Swearing, Nudity Ban

Should the Federal Communications Commission lighten up on enforcing its ban on swear words and nudity on broadcast media?

The agency has proposed doing just that — letting "fleeting" violations slide and enforcing its rules only for "egregious" offenses.

The FCC invited comments for 60 days on the enforcement change in an April 1, 2013 announcement (click on PDF thumbnail).

Deerfield residents are among those who have submitted comments.

"I support the FCC in making these changes to the Obscenity, Indecency, and Profanity policy. The only part of it not protected by the Freedom of Speech is obscenity, the other parts should be allowed. Furthermore, such stipulations have been removed from the media in other countries with no problems. I support the FCC," commented Michael Smith.

"I oppose any changes to the current FCC indecency standards that would allow television and radio stations to broadcast expletives and nudity on the public airwaves, even if brief or fleeting. The Supreme Court has confirmed the FCC's authority to enforce policies regarding expletives and nudity, especially during times when children are likely to be watching or listening. Relaxing the current policy would not serve the public interest (in fact, would bring down the level of our culture substantially), and I urge the FCC to reject all proposals that would allow for the broadcast of expletives and nudity on FCC-licensed stations," commented Laura Bazal.

Comments submitted to the FCC are public. You can see them by searching a comment database at the FCC website.

The Minnesota Family Council sent an email April 9 (click on PDF thumbnail) asking people to submit comments such as: "I oppose any changes to the current FCC indecency standards that would allow television and radio stations to broadcast expletives and nudity on the public airwaves, even if brief or 'fleeting.'"

Click on the YouTube thumbnail (or visit YouTube.com) for an example of the "fleeting expletives" behind the U.S. Supreme Court case cited by the FCC. It's Cher at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards (6:00 mark — profanity warning).

Would you like the FCC to ease its enforcement of indecency rules on TV and radio broadcasters? Share your thoughts in the comments below.