Court Asks: If Fleeting Expletives Are Okay, How About Fleeting Nudity?
from the flashers-on-tv dept
We recently wrote about the Second Circuit appeals court ruling that the FCC's policy against "fleeting expletives" on broadcast TV was ruled unconstitutional, and that's now raising some other questions as well. A separate case, also in the same circuit, involves the question of whether or not a similar policy over "fleeting nudity" is equally problematic. As you may recall, the show NYPD Blue got a ton of attention back in 2003, for showing 7-seconds of a bare backside (which apparently was once the top rated clip on YouTube, despite it happening a few years before YouTube even existed). The FCC used a similar "fleeting nudity" policy to threaten to fine ABC affiliates for airing the show. However, the court in that case is now asking whether or not the recent ruling over expletives has any bearing on the question over nudity. Of course, you could question how "fleeting" it is for a filmed drama (as compared to the expletives, which were live events). But, at the same time, the wide availability of that same video (and, um, a ton of other much more graphic videos) to anyone with a computer might raise questions about why it even matters?Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: fcc, fleeting expletives, fleeting nudity, free speech, indecency
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Or, more to the pont, because the moral minority would have a hissy-fit?
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To mention the obvious
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I wonder...
So, if allowing non-sexual nudity is fully protected by the first amendment, would that bring about a nudist "Renaissance"? could this be the beginnings of the all nudist channel? Will restaurants start having nude and non-nude sections? In the end, doubtful. But at least it's fun to think of the possibilities. It could be a burgeoning sector of the US economy, much like Marijuana is becoming.
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The Moral Reality Here
Sometimes I take exception to a somewhat common notion I see on international chat boards from Europeans that American's are a rather dull lot, but sometimes I have admit it seems rather justified.
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Re: The Moral Reality Here
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That by itself should be illegal. If you are going to show 7 seconds of butt, at least make it a good one.
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No, it was Charlotte Ross's butt that resulted in this fine. Let's just say that it would be on the other end of the spectrum from Dennis'.
If you are going to show 7 seconds of butt, at least make it a good one.
Yeah, well, they did. And it got them fined.
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Nude Ballet
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I guess I was mistaken in figuring that the censorship rules were more arbitrary than draconian.
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Shelley Winters
Amen.
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we have so little to do that we must invent stuff syndrome
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http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1469850/charlotte_ross_nypd_blue_nude_awakening/
Your welcome. :)
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But think of the children!
Exactly. I don't think a nude breast/ass could possibly harm anyone. Then again, in Europe they air commercials at 7 p.m. on any channel with naked women lying on a chandelier saying how much drinking milk shaped their bodies.
Granted not very convincing but easy on the eye nonetheless.
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That being said, America's dysfunctional relationship with sex and nudity (especially compared to their embrace of gore and violence) is sad.
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Um, since when is the spoken word the only form of expression protected by the Constitution?
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