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).

Western Springs residents are among those who have submitted comments.

"First and foremost, even if something is deemed legal, it doesn't mean it's beneficial. What is the benefit to the people of our nation and our society in general, in allowing profanity, vulgarity, and nudity on TV and radio? If this ban is lifted, the result will be the further destruction of our nation, which is declining rapidly in moral character. Freedom isn't the ability to do anything...freedom is having the choice to do what is right and good and true," commented David Nelson.

"I oppose any changes to the current FCC indecency standards. The FCC must continue to vigorously oppose ALL indecent content, even if brief or fleeting. The Supreme Court has affirmed the FCC's authority to enforce policies prohibiting indecent broadcast content during hours when children are likely to be in the viewing or listening audience. Relaxing the current policy would not serve the public interest and I urge the FCC to reject all proposals that would allow for the broadcast of expletives and nudity on FCC-licensed stations," agreed other residents in a shared statement.

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.