Last but not least: No more beeps for "Fuck"
Swearing will soon be allowed again on U.S. television and radio. The courts have overturned a ban imposed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), ruling that it violated the right to free speech.
The rules against swearing and other indecent content are unconstitutionally vague and violate the freedom of expression. This was decided by an appeals court in New York on Tuesday. The judges thus confirmed the decision of the court of first instance in a dispute between the FCC and the US broadcasting chain Fox. According to SDA, the court found in 2006 that the current rules had a paralyzing effect on the creation of broadcasting programmes.
To a large extent, the current regulations date back to the 1970s. They ban a whole range of expressions from radio and television. All media that do not overlay these words with an electronic beep face heavy fines. The FCC made a distinction between fiction such as war films and other programs. Accordingly, actors in films are prohibited from using swear words such as "fucking"
is allowed, but not for musicians at a broadcast awards ceremony.
As the appeals court explained, the English language contains many creative ways to describe sexual organs and sexual activity or an erection. Even if the FCC wanted to create a precise list of such words in order to ban them, new swear words and indecent expressions would be added every day.
invented.
To a large extent, the current regulations date back to the 1970s. They ban a whole range of expressions from radio and television. All media that do not overlay these words with an electronic beep face heavy fines. The FCC made a distinction between fiction such as war films and other programs. Accordingly, actors in films are prohibited from using swear words such as "fucking"
is allowed, but not for musicians at a broadcast awards ceremony.
As the appeals court explained, the English language contains many creative ways to describe sexual organs and sexual activity or an erection. Even if the FCC wanted to create a precise list of such words in order to ban them, new swear words and indecent expressions would be added every day.
invented.
