FCC Renews Assault on "Indecent" TV

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday renewed its efforts to eliminate "indecent" television content by fining broadcasters millions of dollars for violating rules.

The move includes $3.6m in proposed fines for more than 100 CBS stations for airing a programme depicting a teen orgy.

The rulings, the first on this highly politicised issue since Kevin Martin took over as FCC chairman last year, also upheld the $550,000 fine imposed on CBS Corp after Janet Jackson showed one of her breasts during the 2004 Super Bowl.

Mr Martin on Wednesday said the number of complaints received by the FCC had risen year after year, from hundreds to hundreds of thousands. "The number of programmes that trigger these complaints continues to increase as well. I share the concerns of the public - and of parents, in particular - that are voiced in these complaints." Last year the FCC received more than 230,000 complaints.

Under his predecessor, Michael Powell, a Republican like Mr Martin, the FCC imposed a record $7.9m in fines for violating indecency rules. The issue has become politically charged as religious christian groups, in particular, fight to uphold higher standards and family values.

Mr Martin, who has always made clear that he cares about decency standards, has said he might try to change the rules which at the moment mean only free-to-air broadcasters are subject to the strict decency regulations. Cable and satellite television are exempt, although Mr Martin has been pushing for changes in programming policy that is more "family-friendly".

"These decisions, taken both individually and as a whole, demonstrate the Commission's continued commitment to enforcing the law prohibiting the airing of obscene, indecent and profane material," Mr Martin said in a statement.

The largest fine imposed on Wednesday was $3.6m against 111 CBS stations for airing a 2004 episode of "Without A Trace" about an investigation into a possible rape. The programme showed teenagers engaged in sexual activities.

CBS said it would "pursue all remedies necessary to affirm our legal rights."

Seperately, cable industry bodies on Wednesday released studies which questioned some of the FCC's recent finding on so-called a la carte programming.

The FCC has, under Mr Martin, taken on a more positive stance towards a la carte, which would allow cable customers to chose just those cable channels they want to watch. At the moment, cable subscriptions are sold in packages, which cable companies say are needed to ensure the most programming at the cheapest price.

Campaigners in favour of more family-oriented programming - often the same groups who care the most about the enforcement of indecency regulation - say they do not want to pay for programmes they consider inappropriate for family viewing.