Supreme Court to rule on “fleeting expletives” on broadcast TV


Thrills ahead, Space Rangers.


Bono - and some silly looking fan

The US Supreme Court has agreed to review the issue of expletives on the airwaves, a move that may re-open the debate over broadcast indecency…

The FCC’s policy of fining networks for “fleeting expletives” or isolated utterances, is on hold following a legal challenge by Fox.

Analysts say the media environment has changed substantially since 1978 when the court last ruled on this issue.

The FCC toughened its stance on expletives after a 2003 broadcast by NBC of the Golden Globes award show when U2’s lead singer Bono said that winning was “fucking brilliant”.

The FCC concluded that the word had an inherent sexual connotation, its use violated rules governing decency and the broadcast of the expletive could have been avoided.

Pressure on US broadcasters also grew after pop star Janet Jackson briefly exposed her bare breast during a dance routine at the 2004 Super Bowl, prompting a flood of complaints.

This country is run by “fucking peasants - as far as I can see”.

Posted: Tue - March 18, 2008 at 06:51 AM