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Guest Post – The Media And Vocal Bombs
We are currently having a summer series that involves some wonderful guest writers. Kate is currently a rising senior and will graduate next summer into the world of advertising and communications. She is currently hanging out with honkfish as an intern and learning as much as possible about social media in the short amount of time she is here. Enjoy!
What broadcasters should and shouldn’t be allowed to air, and where these restrictions begin to cross the line on First Amendment rights, has long been an issue of debate. This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled against the FCC’s policy on banning indecencies, sometimes referred to as the fleeting expletives ban. The court ruled that the ban is unconstitutionally vague and is a threat to First Amendment rights. But does this mean that anything will really change for media consumers?
Yes, broadcasters now have the right to air the “f bomb”, or any other previously taboo words, without fear of being slapped by the FCC with an outrageous fine. But they still have to worry about offending their viewers, whom they rely on heavily for advertising sales. Content isn’t a concern if stations have no one watching! Therefore, if bleeped out words and censored images annoy you, you should probably stick to cable stations and satellite radio for now.
Heya! Appreciate the nice blog. Keep writing!