FCC Reduces Fine Against FOX Over 2003 Reality Show

Posted by Jacci Lewis Categories: Prime Time, Reality, ABC, FOX, Cable/Satellite, News

Score one for

FOX reality TV, sort of. The Federal Communications Commission slashed nearly all of a proposed $1.2 million indecency fine against several FOX stations yesterday, according to the Washington Post.

The FCC instead decided stations can only be fined for airing the offensive TV show in question if viewers actually complained about it. There was not a change in the FCC’s determination that the show in question was,  in fact, indecent.

In this case, 13 of the 169 FOX stations that aired the April 7, 2003 episode of the short-lived Married By America will actually be required to pay indecency fines. The total amount of fines will be somewhere near $91,000.

The episode that lead to the original fine showed digitally-obscured nudity and strippers covered in whipped cream. FOX argued that the worst parts were obscured, keeping the scene from being indecent under FCC rules which prohibit conventional radio and television stations from broadcasting what’s called “patently offensive” material of a sexual or excretory nature between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Times when children are most likely to be watching.) Obviously FCC indecency statutes do not cover cable or satellite TV (e.g. Paradise Hotel 2).

The Post says FOX, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.,  hasn’t decided whether to appeal the FCC ruling in federal court.

Click to continue reading FCC Reduces Fine Against FOX Over 2003 Reality Show

Read More | Washington Post

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