The House Telecom Subcommittee is set to hold its third hearing on broadcast indecency on Feb. 26. This time, witnesses are expected to be network and affiliate representatives. No witness list has yet been announced.
Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich. is holding the hearings on his bill to increase by ten times the penalties the FCC may impose upon stations for violations of its broadcast indecency rules. The measure has been voted out of subcommittee. Upton has indicated he’d like a vote by the full committee shortly after the next hearing.
Viacom President/COO Mel Karmazin and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue were grilled by subcommittee members over indecency in general and specifically the Super Bowl incident. Karmazin has instituted a “no tolerance” policy for indecency at Infinity radio stations, and 7-second delay systems are being installed at all stations.
Round Three For Indecency Hearings Coming Up
Round Three For Indecency Hearings Coming Up