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What One Person Can Do About...

Television Indecency

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 (Click Here for radio indecency)


When a citizen watches a television program, he or she should reasonably expect the content of that broadcast to be free of indecent or profane language. When the station breaks the public trust by broadcasting content which the viewer feels violates community standards, the citizen can file a complaint against the station with the FCC. In turn, the FCC will begin a formal investigation to determine if the station is subject to fines or license termination.

The FCC now provides viewers with a quick and easy online complaint form.  It takes only a few minutes to file a formal complaint against your local broadcast station. 

To file a formal indecency complaint with the FCC, fill out the form below to begin.  In addition, we'll keep you informed about this and other important issues.

First Name:
Last Name:
State:
Zip Code:
E-mail:
Understanding the FCC

It is a violation of federal law to broadcast obscene programming at any time. It is also a violation of federal law to broadcast indecent or profane programming between 6:00 a.m. And 10:00 p.m. Congress has given the FCC responsibility for enforcing such broadcast laws.

Unfortunately, there is no such governance over cable TV because it does not operate over the airwaves, which are considered property of the citizenry.

Indecency - The FCC defines broadcast indecency as "language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community broadcast standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities."

The courts have held that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely, but it may be restricted in order to avoid broadcast on TV or radio when children are likely to be in the audience. Offensive sexual or excretory references are examples of material that might be deemed indecent.

To file FCC complaints by mail:
Federal Communications Commission
Enforcement Bureau
Investigations and Hearings Division
445 12th St., SW, Room 3-B443
Washington, DC 20554

For a detailed and expanded version of this issue, click here.


  
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