REALITY SHOW FCC fines Fox for indecency violations

The FCC received 159 complaints after the program aired.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
NEW YORK -- Fox Broadcasting Co. was hit Tuesday with the largest indecency fine for a television show, a nearly $1.2 million penalty that underscores the federal government's drive to set standards for proper language and behavior in broadcasting.
The Federal Communications Commission ruled that an April 2003 episode of the reality show "Married By America" violated federal indecency codes. The program included scenes from Las Vegas bachelor and bachelorette parties featuring strippers and various sexual situations.
The proposed fine for Fox, which totals $1.183 million, is another in a string of recent indecency fines against television and radio companies. The indecency issue was brought into stark relief last winter when Janet Jackson's breast was exposed during the Super Bowl halftime show on CBS.
In a statement, Fox said, "We disagree with the FCC's decision and believe the content was not indecent." The network has 30 days to appeal.
FCC's ruling
The proposed fine of $7,000 per station would be levied against all 169 Fox stations, 25 of which are owned by Fox's parent, News Corp. The remaining stations are owned by various media companies, including Tribune Co., which owns six Fox affiliates.
In its ruling, the FCC said that Fox "had argued that that episode did not contain descriptions or depictions of sexual or excretory organs or activities and, even if it did, the material was not patently offensive."
The FCC, though, ruled that "even with Fox's editing, the episode includes scenes in which party-goers lick whipped cream from strippers' bodies in a sexually suggestive manner. Another scene features a man on all fours in his underwear as two female strippers playfully spank him."
"Married By America," a six-episode series which received low ratings, brought together several single adults who agreed to be engaged and even marry though they had never previously met.
Though the station owner rather than the network is responsible for FCC fines, Fox would likely pay the entire fine, barring a court reversal.
Complaints
The FCC decided to investigate the program after receiving 159 complaints, the first of which was filed by the Parents Television Council against WTVT-TV of Tampa.
The council is a conservative media watchdog group based in Los Angeles and directed by L. Brent Bozell, who also directs the Media Research Center, which acts as a clearinghouse for groups concerned with television and radio programming.
Executive Director Tim Winter said the council aims to "protect children from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media."
"For the first time ever, [the fine] holds all the affiliates responsible for airing a broadcast, and it's high time every licensee is held accountable," he said.
But critics contend the FCC regulatory system is based on vague and subjective criteria and is due for a court challenge.