The FCC is a big piece of shit!

Unless I somehow missed some cable regulation laws passed by the FCC.

As a resident Pump Up The Volume fanatic, I feel the need to point out that I am currently feeling very warm/charitable feelings towards Keith M for posting this. Hurrah for "Hard Harry"/"Happy Harry Hard-on"!

in 1924, 10 years before the FCC came into existence, Herbert Hoover said that "the quickest way to kill broadcasting would be to use it for direct advertising"

you want a culprit here, i nominate Senator C.C. Dill, who although fronting like he abhorred advertising on the airwaves, called educators "special interests" and worked w/the NAB to help defeat an amendment to the Communications Act of 1934 that would have given nonprofits 25% of the spectrum, and allowed them to advertise in order to eventually support themselves. we might have had a BBC type situation if it wasn't for him.

http://bioguide.congress.gov/bioguide/photo/D/D000345.jpg

They already have!! I guess it will get edited for reruns.

As the furore grows in the US over JANET JACKSON’s breast flash on live TV, it has emerged that BONO is under fresh attack from conservative politicians for saying ‘fuck’ over a year ago.

At the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, the U2 frontman described the gong for ‘The Hands That Built America’ from ‘The Gangs Of New York’ as "really, really fucking brilliant".

Like Jackson’s flash, his remark caused outrage. But in October last year, Bono was cleared of causing offence by US broadcast regulators the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who ruled his speech "did not describe sexual or excretory organs or activities."

However, Michael Powell, President of the FCC, announced in late January that he would seek to have the decision on Bono reversed.

"I personally believe that this growing coarseness in use of such profanity . . . is abhorrent and irresponsible," he said.

At the same time, Powell called on Congress to up obscenity fines on broadcasters to at least ten times the present maximum of $27,500 per violation.

And Powell, fired by his ire over Bono, is starting to collect some very powerful friends.

Rolling Stone reports that eleven Republicans have sponsored a resolution that asks the FCC to revoke the license of television stations that repeatedly air indecent material. And there is bill proposed by two other congressmen - Doug Ose and Lamar Smith> - that aims to completely ban, from all radio and network television broadcasts, the words: shit, piss, fuck, c***, cocksucker, motherf****r and asshole.

"If you use [expletives] in your everyday speech, sometimes they will come out. I don't mean to offend anyone," Bono said when the furore first kicked off.

Other musicians have been less diplomatic. Condemning Powell’s mover, Steve Earle said: "I don't think anyone, with the exception of the Christian right, gives a fuck about whether someone says a dirty word on the radio or TV anymore. There are much bigger fish that the FCC should be frying, if the FCC is indeed about the stewardship of the airwaves."

Because I suspect the former group is becoming less abundant, so the FCC rules on stations that broadcast to those with antennas and not cable wires just doesn't mean that much anymore -- since cable only stations have the freedoms that broadcasting stations don't have.

(But again, most programs, even on cable only stations, censor themselves in fear of losing sponsors rather than fear of FCC fines... losing sponsors is far more financially distressing)

Still though, a more prudish FCC is always a bigger threat to college radio, which itself is becoming a more expensive and trying operation to keep going as time goes by.

The FCC does not have jurisdiction over cable- or satellite-only channels. Although that could possibly change if Congress decides this is necessary to "protect families." MTV and other pay-TV networks do have Standards and Practices departments (as do the broadcast networks). In MTV's case this department has let them screen Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up," with unfuzzed bare breasts and buttocks, at certain hours and with specific disclaimers.

I mean seriously I really would like to see VoIP, filesharing and TiVO kill these industries dead. Please, please, please.

Just wait for this Cingular merger. Once they buy AT&T Wireless, the US wireless telecom market is fucked.

Charging $18-20 in taxes each month for the priveliege of using my free handset isn't fucked up enough?

Expensive genius, when mates run up a $21.95 txt msg bill. (Happened to a mate of mine)

"butt-boobs"

Surely it's bum-chest?

US network NBC has dropped a scene showing the breast of an elderly woman from the next episode of its hit medical drama ER.

ER is one of America's biggest shows
NBC said although the scene was "appropriate and in context" it could not ignore the "atmosphere" created by Jackson's stunt on Sunday.

But ER executive producer John Wells said censorship was unnecessary because the two events were "not comparable".

The edited episode of ER airs in the US on Thursday, with NBC saying it had "unfortunately concluded that the atmosphere created by this week's events has made it too difficult for many of our affiliates to air this shot".

The US networks transmit their programmes through affiliate stations across the country, who can influence programming decisions.

Mr Wells, who has worked on the show for many years, criticised the decision, believing its adult viewers were capable "of making the distinction and adjusting their viewing habits accordingly".

He added: "This type of network behaviour is one of the primary reasons that so many of today's producers and viewers are increasingly turning to HBO and other cable outlets that do not censor responsible storytelling."

Singer Janet Jackson will not be appearing at Sunday's Grammy Awards, her publicist has confirmed.
R&B star Patti LaBelle will replace her as a presenter, following the furore over Jackson's Super Bowl performance on Sunday when her breast was bared.

"I can confirm she is not attending. I won't give any more details," said publicist Steven Huvane.

US television networks had been uneasy about the possibility of another incident on a live prime time show.

Jackson had been due to present an award at the ceremony, while her Super Bowl singing partner Justin Timberlake is expected to win a number of categories.

Timberlake, who has been nominated for five Grammys, is still expected to appear on Sunday.

But, according to a source quoted by the Washington Post, the Grammy organisers were determined to see Jackson out of the show.

"CBS and the Recording Academy are waiting for her to graciously bow out. If she does not soon, they will uninvite her," according to the Post source, who was speaking before her decision was announced.

"Not OK:

Simulated teen sex and making out (no nudity) between hetero couples, girl in bra and panties engaged in implied group sex, all during a flashback segment for a rape investigation (Without A Trace, CBS). Pricetag: $3.6 million! Because teens don't have sex. Or get raped. Ever.

Still OK for TV, but someone complained anyway:

Explaining tossed salad and a rainbow party to Oprah."

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/03/indecency_rulin.html

A West Coast radio buddy says a number of these fines were for programming in "safe harbor" hours (after 10PM), quite unusual. I thought s.h. had essentially withered away by now.

Over here we have "the watershed". This is post 9pm; where "adult themes", "strong language" and "scenes of a sexual nature" can be broadcast. It's assumed that children - who would be harmed by learning that people swear and have sex - would been sent to bed by that time ('cause we're obviously still living in the 1950s) and therefore wouldn't be able to ask their parents embarrassing questions.

(Now, if only TNT would follow suit so that Charles Barkley could tell us all what he REALLY means.)

-- Anthony Miccio (anthonymicci...), February 4th, 2004.

Speaking of LPFM, the FCC has actually been veddy veddy good to me lately. We hold a construction permit for an new low-power FM station that was due to expire in June. We aren't going to be ready to broadcast by June and applied for an extension. We also needed to move our transmitter site. The FCC approved both of our requests within 2 weeks of filing them (after taking 5 fricking years to grant our application for a permit in the first place). I've also found the audio division of the media bureau to be extremely quick in answering my questions.

Overall, though, I agree that they made a fine mess of their job.

It seems totally crazy to me that the "public" part of "the public airwaves" now mainly means the govt. gets to fuck you around and censor people but not actually, you know, provide any good programming

WaPo bit about the Senate Commerce Comm wanting to go after this. It's major proponent, of course, was Ted Stevens.

That bit is amusing in its connection between Bono saying "fuck" and the head FCC enforcement guy losing his job.

Oh, and here's the connection with the AFA, who were, i believe, the group responsible for scaring enough ABC stations into not airing Saving Private Ryan on Veteran's Day two years ago.

If only there were some sorta "V-Chip" like technology allowing parents to block such programming from harming Rod & Tod's freakin' ears...

I know a couple who has kids and their only TV is in the parents' BEDROOM, which I think is an awesome idea, because that means TV times is always family time, and you always get to see what your kids are watching. Plus maybe their kids will grow up associating TV with boring old mom and dad and will grow to despise it.

In general, though, I think the big problem w/kids and TV is not that it exposes them to horrific violence or graphic sex or a glimpse of booty but that most of it is just terribly terribly dumb and so it makes them THINK dumb. FWIW I feel the same way about computers.

well, that's the thing, isn't it? it works a lot like the anti-contraception/abstinence-only cult; it has nothing to do with self-selection/censorship(i.e. what you would choose to do in your own family). it's more to do with certain rightwing fundies not wanting anybody to possibly think about this stuff, either. Remember, these are the people that think that any discussion of a topic(or even acknowledgement that it even exists) is automatically equal with promoting it.

xpost

well, yeah, but there's also media literacy that needs to be taught, but we ain't really a culture that's all for that, aren't we?

If you know anybody in Seattle, see if they can go to this open hearing at town hall on friday with head FCC douchebag about media ownership. Some of the local musicians are driving up there to represent:

For the last four years, the Musicians Union, Local 99, in conjunction with the Oregon Alliance to Reform Media, have been fighting for media justice and against media consolidation, and now we need your support. Freedom and democracy require diverse and local voices, an informed public, and equal and affordable access to the press, media, and internet communications. Our participatory democracy and electoral processes are being threatened and diminished by a handful of giant media corporations who want to grab even more control. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is holding its final hearing on this subject in Seattle.

Public Hearing on Media Ownership
4pm-11pm, Friday, Nov. 9 2007
Town Hall Seattle, Great Hall
1119 Eighth Avenue

FCC Chairman Martin is attempting to fast-track the final vote before Christmas in an effort to implement these changes ahead of the 2008 election cycle. The new rules, if passed, would allow one company to own the daily newspaper, 3 TV Stations, 8 Radio Stations, the cable company and the internet service provider in a city the size of Portland. For more details on how Oregon will be affected go here: http://www.oregonarm.org/pressmediaownership

The health of our media sets the baseline for our political participation, our cultural expression and our knowledge about the rest of the world. Whether people are concerned about media bias, the lack of diverse voices in news, the arts and music, runaway commercialism or the dumbing-down of political debate, it's important to understand that who owns the channels we watch has a huge impact.

What can you do?

Attend the hearing in Seattle and testify, or, support those presenting testimonies. If you want to ride on the bus or arrange for carpools to the Seattle hearing, please contact Bruce Fife at the Musicians Union ASAP. 503-235-8791 bf✧✧✧@af✧✧✧.o✧✧

Can’t attend the Seattle hearing, but still want to make your voice heard? You can submit your comments online to the FCC. Your comments are invaluable. In 2003 it was these public comments that helped us stop the FCC when they tried to relax media ownership rules. Submit your comments here: http://www.stopbigmedia.com/seattle.php

Contact your representatives in Washington DC. For more information on how they stand on this issue and contact information, go here: www.oregonarm.org/tellcongress

Updates for the hearing can be found at www.reclaimthemedia.org

All other inquiries can be directed to Bruce Fife at the Musicians Union.

Bruce Fife
President, AFM, Local 99
325 NE 20th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232
503-235-8791
503-296-5775 (fax)
bf✧✧✧@af✧✧✧.o✧✧

lol treating information like gas & electric

Gas just wants to be free.

Can't believe no one jumped on Milo's straight line there.

Esp. given thread title.

This story is pretty ridiculous:

FCC Vote Affecting Cable TV in Jeopardy

"Brian Dietz, a spokesman for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, contends the proposal dealing with minority ownership of channels could actually have resulted in less media diversity by forcing other programming off the air."

Oh Jesus fucking Christ. Of course we will never know because the FCC has been scared into withdrawing the proposal (which essentially says, excess bandwidth should be given to channels owned by women and minorities and cable companies should have to carry those channels as part of their offer).

The FCC is so unbelievably toothless and visionless and broken. In the UK, the communications regulator, Ofcom, wields its authority like a giant club. It even tells Rupert Murdoch what to do.

it's political correctness gone mad

Nobody at Sky listens to Murdoch anyway or so he claims (based on his desire to make Sky News more like Fox News).

The minorities and women thing is just one facet of what Martin said he wanted. If cable companies reach a threshold of market penetration they become subject to a much more comprehensive regulatory regime that includes all kinds of things and what's especially scary for the cable operators is that this regime would have the potential to include even more things than it has now. This is what truly scares them, the idea that they could be held accountable for their jackal-like pricing or that they might have to actually think about the balance of channels and programming they provide.

Kevin Martin should resign. If the chairman of the g*ddamn FCC can be undermined this easily by lobbyists he does not have the authority to be an effective regulator.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/11/28/business/FCC190.jpg

What's extra weird is that Martin is a Republican and some of his proposals include even further loosening of media ownership rules (i.e. the same company can own two local radio stations and the town newspaper etc etc)

I love DirecTV

does anyone have any idea what channels will be available on digital free-to-air in the USA? is it just going to be the big four and a few others? do NBC or whoever have any plans whatsoever so add, like "NBC Plus" with more programming?

so add = "to add"

haha does everyone seriously have no idea/not care about this?? i guess this proves the point that cable is past the point of saturation

in principle, i agree that diversity of media ownership and access to bandwidth/spectrum would be a good thing.

in practice, i'm more interested in cable channels being offered a la carte (wasn't there a proposal for this?) i only watch a handful of things anyway.

well, i'm the one who revived this thread. i'm basically interested in that crazy guy trying to push through his own interests based on one study even though there were a bunch of other studies saying the opposite thing.

Kevin Martin also wants a la carte, and a la carte might be really expensive

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/business/media/24nocera.html?_r=2&ref=media&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

sorry if i wasn't clear, i meant does anyone have any idea "what channels will be available on digital free-to-air in the USA"

in the UK, the large choice of quality programming on free digital broadcasting is making richard branson and rupert murdoch hopping mad

i bet the US doesn't make the same "mistake"

the reporting on the story is just SO BAD - it's impossible to tell what the real issues are

The agency already has most of the data that was available from the industry, [Republican commissioner McDowell] said. The only additional information that could be gleaned would have to come from smaller cable operators. Some of them, he said, may be exempt from keeping those kinds of records.

"The irony is that we're asking for information that we don't have and we're not going to probably get," McDowell said. "We have the bulk of the information that we are going to get.

[FCC chairman Kevin] Martin said in an appearance earlier on Wednesday that seeking further information from cable companies was a reasonable way to proceed.

"That way we will have the actual data and we'll know on a going forward basis," Martin said.

--

So, they need this information, or they don't? I haven't read a single news story about this that even attempts to evaluate that question.

Again, the issue is that if cable is available to 70% of the American population, and 70% of those for whom it's available actually use it, then the FCC can regulate it a lot more. This is because of a law that was passed back in the early 1980s (presumably as some sort of deal that allowed cable companies to do whatever they damn well pleased in the meantime).

Martin is a Republican. He tangled with former chairman Michael Powell (Colin Powell's son) during Powell's disastrous reign that saw media consolidation grow by leaps and bounds. Martin forged some alliances with Democrats against Powell. But it's hard to see what he's driving at here -- he clearly alienated his own commissioners with what looks like a very hasty and ill-thought-out plan. Even his Republican commissioners blasted him to reporters. So what's going on here? Why did he do this in such an inept way?

Furthermore, why is there no agreed-upon metric for the 70/70 threshold? Is it really a matter of whose numbers can be propagandized more successfully to the commission and to members of the public? If so this is simply amazing.

"Before becoming a commissioner, Martin was a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. He has also served as the Deputy General Counsel to Bush-Cheney 2000, on the Bush-Cheney recount team in Florida, and on the Presidential Transition."

heckuva job

http://charts.prophet.net/servlet/ChartServer?symbol=CMCSA&price.display=0&duration=5d&interval=5&frequency=0&width=162&height=120&service=forbes

http://charts.prophet.net/servlet/ChartServer?symbol=CVC&price.display=0&duration=5d&interval=5&frequency=0&width=162&height=120&service=forbes

the timing of all this makes me wonder if the NFL Network happened to approach Mr. Martin with certain inducements

I'm going to look and see if openCRS has anything on this when I get into work (bonus: really will look like work!)

based on the number of ILNFL cable customers whining whenever us satellite kids bring it up, I suspect the NFL Network doesn't need to approach any milquetoast appointee with inducements of any nature. much like the rest of the league model I imagine they're all about waiting out for cox, comcast, tw et al. to just say the right $$$ #

"a going forward basis"

STAB STAB STAB STAB

by the way, while this is all happening, martin is loosening ownership monopoly regs on the 20 largest media markets. i don't put a whole lot of stock in online petitions, but there's a page with more info here:

http://www.usalone.com/stop_media_consolidation.php