Justice Department Sues Fox Over Failure To Pay Indecency Fines

from the the-definition-of-indecency dept

Mon, Apr 7th 2008 10:02am — Mike Masnick

Remember how Fox was simply refusing to pay an indecency fine issued by the FCC? Well, it appears that the FCC isn't too happy about that and has had the Justice Department file some lawsuits against the various Fox affiliates refusing to pay (it turns out a few affiliates did pay). Before filing the lawsuits, the FCC rejected Fox's appeal without comment, but merely by saying that Fox's appeal to the FCC was 14 pages too long and the company hadn't asked permission to exceed the limit. Fox called this response "offensive," apparently resisting the more hilarious option of calling it "indecent." In the meantime, it looks like Fox will have yet another indecency case to fight in court to go along with the Supreme Court case on indecency that also involves Fox.

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Filed Under: fcc, fines, indecency
Companies: fcc, fox, news corp

14 Comments

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Jezsik, 7 Apr 2008 @ 10:59am

Interesting ...
One of the few times I'm sure to be on Fox's side!
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lizaoreo, 7 Apr 2008 @ 12:03pm

Nope...
I'd have to diagree, there are rules in play, if they followed the rules, they wouldn't be in this mess. They should try being a little less "offensive".
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JS Beckerist, 7 Apr 2008 @ 12:22pm

Re: Nope...
If a rule is stupid and not thought out before implemented, there would be no way to avoid the resulting mess when someone fights it. I think that they are both fighting for stupid causes, and personally I don't care who "wins" I just hope that MY freedoms regarding speech aren't affected by the outcome.
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DanC, 7 Apr 2008 @ 12:23pm

Re: Nope...
there are rules in play, if they followed the rules, they wouldn't be in this mess

And those rules are fairly ambiguous, so it's not entirely clear what constitutes a violation of the rules. The definition of what is 'indecent' changes on a case by case basis, which is why the FCC is currently involved in a lawsuit over the matter.

They should try being a little less "offensive".

As soon as what constitutes "offensive material" is actually defined, they might have some idea of what they can air.
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Broadcasting Teacher, 7 Apr 2008 @ 12:23pm

The FCC is capricious and reactionary in its enforcement. It's hitting up stations for stuff that happened years ago and largely was only complained about by activists who never even watched the programs.
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Paul, 7 Apr 2008 @ 12:52pm

well
i don't like the government making moral decisions of what i can and can't watch on television. if someone is offended, then who cares. nothing in the Constitution says you have a right to not be offended, however there *is* a right to freedom of speech.
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M., 7 Apr 2008 @ 1:21pm

decency
Why aren't the networks fined that run the porn commercials for "girls gone wild?"

I find this completely offensive and would be horrified in my kids saw this material.
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shanoboy (profile), 7 Apr 2008 @ 1:28pm

Go Fox
I loathe Faux News but in this case I'm totally behind the network too. Way to show some backbone guys.
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shanoboy (profile), 7 Apr 2008 @ 1:29pm

Re: decency
The networks that run GGW commercials aren't fined because they're on cable and not an over the air broadcast station.

Right now the FCC censorship doesn't totally extend to non-broadcast stations. Though, I believe they're trying to change that.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2008 @ 1:40pm

I find it hysterical to think that you believe your kids have not seen that commercial.
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hndymn, 7 Apr 2008 @ 4:14pm

I guess the Dept. of Justice has time on it's hands, what with all the prosecuting they're not doing for illegal surveillance, flouting of Congressional subpoenas, high crimes and misdemeanors, etc.
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Rose M. Welch, 7 Apr 2008 @ 4:20pm

Offensive is an opinion...
...as I am offended by the idea that someone else can decide what I do or do not watch on television.

My youngest child is too young to eat steak, but you don't see me lobbying for formula-only diets for everyone. That's just as absurd as limiting my reading material or television options.

If people don't want to see it, don't want it. Nobody forced you to buy a television, or to turn it to that channel and watch it.

I would be pretty upset if my kids saw a Girls Gone Wild commercial... but at myself for not monitering thier viewing activities closely enough.
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Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 7 Apr 2008 @ 5:00pm

Semprini
Well, goodness me tit bum, you've really got to knockers bollox come down hard on this (tee-hee), won't someone knickers think of the children wardrobe malfunction.

Are we on the air?
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2008 @ 5:49pm

Re: Money Well Spent
I couldn't agree more. While I, for the most, loathe major media conglomerates, this is a ridiculous waste of my money.

Yes I did think if the children and I came to the conclusion I don't care. All the world needs is more scared shitless mama's boys/girls who have no mind or backbone which is exactly what we will have if we continue to shelter them from life.
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