Quote:
Originally posted by Cynthetiq
But remember here in the USA, PRIVATE companies are allowed to spew forth whatever they can chose within the guidelines of the FCC.
|
Actually there are no guidelines by the FCC... but they can fine people for breaking them. Ironically they refuse to publish any clear guidelines because Michael Powell claims that it would somehow violate (and thus harm) the first amendment.
Quote:
Finally, I have heard some of you call for an FCC rulemaking to create more “clarity” as to what is prohibited. I want to warn you that this is unwise. You do not want to ask the government to write a “Red Book” of Dos and Don’ts. I understand the complaint about knowing where the line is, but heavier government entanglement through a “Dirty Conduct Code” will not only chill speech, it may deep freeze it. It might be an ice age that would last a very long time.
|
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-245663A1.pdf
Of course, between you and me -if the FCC actually published a code... Then they couldn't fine people arbitarily as they have been doing -because people could just point to the code and claim that they're complying. If they do write guidelines and it somehow violates the first amendment -then obviously the guidelines would be struck down. (Although with THIS Supreme Court anything is possible.)