Bill to raise Indecency Fines goes to Bush

BILL TO RAISE INDECENCY FINES GOES TO BUSH
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
Legislation boosting fines tenfold on broadcast television and radio stations that violate decency standards was sent on Wednesday to President George W. Bush in a victory for conservative groups. The bill raising fines to $325,000 per violation, which President Bush said he would sign, caps fines at $3 million for continuing violations. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the measure by a 379 to 35 vote on Wednesday, while the Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent last month. The punishment was less than groups like the Christian Coalition and Parents Television Council had sought, but the passage of the bill could help bolster support for Republicans who are facing tough re-election races in November. "This legislation will make television and radio more family friendly by allowing the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to impose stiffer fines on broadcasters who air obscene or indecent programming," President Bush said in a statement. "I look forward to signing this important legislation into law."
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=televisionNews&story...

* President Applauds Congress on Passage of S. 193, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060607-5.html

* FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on the bill:
"I welcome Congress' decision to give the Commission increased fining authority in our efforts to protect children from inappropriate programming. Many parents are increasingly concerned about what is on television and radio today. Today's vote demonstrates that Congress shares their concern and has a clear desire for a more meaningful enforcement of our decency standard. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act gives the Commission more tools to enable parents to watch television and listen to radio as a family. In addition, I believe that concerns regarding content should be addressed in a comprehensive fashion by empowering parents to choose the programming that comes into their homes."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-265837A1.doc

* FCC Commissioner on the bill:
"Congress has once again sent a firm message that the minds of our children are a national priority. Increased fines strengthen the FCC's ability to enforce the law. I take this responsibility very seriously. However, it will take more than cleaning up indecency to make television a positive force in our children's lives. We need to also give parents more choice in the channels sent into their homes, find ways to make our children more media literate, and promote the production of more positive, educational, and inspirational children's programming."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-265838A1.doc

* Stevens Confident of Indecency Self-Reg
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said Wednesday he was confident of the success of industry self-regulatory efforts on indecency though he added that he would have to "wait and see." A $300 million combined media initiative, led by former Motion Picture Association of America President Jack Valenti, will launch later this month to educate parents about existing content blocking technologies via cable, satellite and the V-chip ratings system for broadcast.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6341640?display=Breaking+News

* Congress Toughens TV-Indecency Fines
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114971503412474107.html?mod=todays_us_ma...

* The Price for On-Air Indecency Goes Up
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/07/AR200606...

* Risqué business to get 10 times riskier
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20060608/1b_indecency08.art.h...

* House Passes Bill to Raise Fines for On-Air Indecency
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-decency8jun08,1,98806...

* Rep Watson Opposes Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act
http://www.house.gov/watson/index.shtml