ASSOCIATED PRESS
Federal regulators proposed a record indecency fine of nearly $1.2 million yesterday against Fox Broadcasting Co. for an episode of its reality series “Married by America.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cited the network for the April 7, 2003, program, which included scenes from Las Vegas bachelor and bachelorette parties featuring strippers and various sexual situations.
After that broadcast, the commission received 159 complaints that the episode contained indecent material.
After an investigation, the FCC decided to impose a $7,000 fine against each of the 169 Fox TV stations that aired the program. Fox has 30 days to appeal the fines, which total $1.183 million.
Federal law bars radio and non-cable television stations from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., the hours when children are most likely to be watching TV. Once a complaint is made to the FCC, the agency determines whether a broadcast was indecent.
The FCC has stepped up enforcement of the statute in recent years as complaints mounted about a coarsening of public airwaves. Critics, notably shock jock Howard Stern, accuse the FCC of seeking to stifle free speech.
Last month, the FCC fined CBS $550,000 for singer Janet Jackson’s performance during the Super Bowl halftime show in February, during which one of the singer’s breasts was briefly exposed.
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