Television and radio broadcasters say they have little choice but to practice a form of self-censorship, swinging the pendulum of what they consider acceptable in the direction of extreme caution. A series of recent decisions by the F.C.C., as well as bills passed in Congress, have put them on notice that even the unintentional broadcast of something that could be considered indecent or obscene could result in stiffer fines or even the revocation of their licenses.”
I won’t pretend to like all the sex and swearing that’s on TV, but as a lawyer – and as a gal who likes her free speech intact, warts and all – I find this unbelievably disturbing. The slippery slope is here, people. What will be next? Art? Theatre? Books? Whatever happened to that American way of thinking, “I disagree with what you are saying, but I will die to defend your right to say it?”
Maybe I’m just overreacting. I mean, the American people wouldn’t let it go that far. Would they? Yikes.
You can read the entire article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/10/business/media/10FCC.html
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