#107: Stand up to the FCC.

I was disturbed tonight when I learned that from April 1st to April 30th, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is considering a rule change to allow for more profanity and nudity on American public television programming. Citing an inability to keep up with all of the complaints the Commission currently receives regarding instances of profanity and nudity, the Chairman of the Commission has "directed the Enforcement Bureau to focus its indecency enforcement resources on EGREGIOUS cases and to reduce the backlog of pending broadcast indecency complaints" (emphasis added). As explained by the American Family Association, "if enacted, the new FCC policy would allow network television and local radio stations to air the f-word, the s-word and to allow programs to show frontal female nudity, even during hours when they know children will be watching and listening. Current broadcast decency law prohibits expletives and nudity, even if brief or 'fleeting.'"

Okay, let me get this straight...right now, the FCC gets millions of complaints about profanity and nudity on public television. In order to REDUCE the amount of complaints it receives, the FCC is going to allow for even MORE profanity and nudity? "Hello, McFly!!!"

Even Biff knows that logic is ridiculous.

I guarantee that the real reason the FCC is pushing for this change is NOT because it is concerned about the number of complaints it receives. Rather, it is simply bending to the pressure of the big networks like Fox and NBC. If this rule change is passed, I can only imagine what will happen next. It's a slippery slope, indeed.

So, is there anything that YOU do about it? Of course there is! Consider giving the following a try:

First:

1. Follow this link to the official FCC complaint page.
2. Enter the code "13-86" in the "Proceeding Number" box and fill out the few remaining required fields.
3. Enter your comment in the text box provided and click "Continue."
4. From there, review your comment and click "Confirm."

Second:

Spread the word! Tell your family and friends. Tell them to tell their family and friends. Tell them to tell them to tell their...well, you get the idea. As of last night, 56,000 people had already filed official complaints. Let's keep the momentum going! We may never win the fight to make television any cleaner than it currently is, but we can do something to keep it from getting worse! Stand up to the FCC and let your voice be heard!