Transcript FCC - bYTEBoss

FCC
• Federal Communications
Commission
• Created 1934
• Regulates interstate radio,
television, wire, wireless,
satellite, and cable
FCC
• Initially created to regulate public airwaves
/ issue broadcast licenses
• Created to protect and represent the public
interest
• Was FRC
FCC Composition
• 5 Commissioners
– 3 from party of the President
– 2 from other parties
– Chair appointed by the President
• 5 year terms
• Bureaus & offices
FCC Commissioners
•
•
•
•
Kevin J. Martin, Chair
Michael J. Copps
Jonathan S. Adelstein
Deborah Taylor Tate
• 1 seat FCC Commisioners
What the FCC does
•
•
•
•
•
** Give out broadcast licenses
Manages spectrum
Regulates communication industries
Regulates communication devices
Enforces laws, such as indecency
– levy fines, penalties, license revocation
• Studies questions of policy and new technology
What the FCC does NOT do
• Pass laws
• Set broad policy goals
• Monitor broadcasters for indecency
Obscenity
• Obscenity is never allowed on air
• FCC defines as:
1. Material that appeals to prurient interest of an
average person applying community standards
2. Patently offensive description of sexual conduct
3. And lacking artistic, political or scientific value
Indecency
– Not allowed during “safe harbor”
– Does not rise to level of indecency
– 3 key factors for FCC
• If explicit or graphic
• If dwells of sexual or excretory organs
• If intended to pander, titilate or shock
Profane language
”those words that are so highly offensive that their mere
utterance in the context presented may, in legal
terms, amount to a “nuisance.”
Ie 7 George Carlin’s dirty words
• FCC is complaint driven
• Cannot by law monitor content
• Does not currently regulate broadcasting of
violent content
• Does not apply to non-terrestrial
broadcasters
Key Decisions
• Pacifica v FCC
• The Jerker and KPFK
• Janet Jackson and the Super Bowl