Broadcasters could face fines for even a single curse word

Contact: Valerie Mosher, Concerned Women for America, 202-488-7000 ext. 126

WASHINGTON, April 28 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Supreme Court ruled today that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is authorized to regulate "fleeting expletives."  The decision overturns a ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a case initiated after broadcast networks aired the "F-word" and "S-word" from live events.  Concerned Women for America (CWA) agrees with the Supreme Court's determination that the FCC's ban on profanity was "neither arbitrary nor capricious."

Penny Young Nance, former policy Advisor to the Federal Communications Commission on indecency issues and current CWA board member, stated:

"Today's Supreme Court decision in Fox v. FCC is a huge victory for American families.  Once again the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the government does have a role in protecting children.  Justice Scalia said the FCC's policy to ban fleeting expletives is entirely rational.  American families understand that the public airwaves, like public parks, are owned by all of us.  The networks do not have the right to pollute the airwaves with the 'F-word' at will."

CWA President Wendy Wright said, "Broadcasters have the ability to bleep out offensive and crude language, but networks refused to act responsibly.  Today the Supreme Court recognized that the FCC has the right to step in to protect viewers, especially young viewers, from offensive material.  This is a step in the right direction to once again make television a safe form of entertainment."

Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.