FCC Could Ban The Word "Redskins" From Radio & TV - Are The "Chiefs" Next?

[houstonwhodat]

These political correctness people are driving me nuts.

If they get their way concerning the Redskins perhaps they will go after the "Chiefs" next.

"WASHINGTON, D.C. (GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL) — The Federal Communications Commission [FCC] could effectively ban the use of the word "Redskins" by broadcasters, based upon a filing by several former FCC commissioners and other communication law experts, if the team's name isn't changed, according to a letter sent Friday to team owner Dan Snyder which concluded that using the word "Redskin" on the air is likely to be contrary to federal broadcast law because it constitutes an "indecency" if not an "obscenity."

The letter from former FCC chairman Reed Hundt and 11 other broadcast law experts says the R-word is the most derogatory name a Native American can be called, and is an "unequivocal racial slur" akin to the N-word. They liken the use of "Redskin" to an "obscenity," which is illegal on the public airwaves in any form, rather than simply an "indecency" which is restricted to certain times of the day."


http://www.ketknbc.com/news/fcc-coul...-from-tv-radio

http://rbr.com/fcc-could-ban-redskin...-radio-and-tv/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...s-is-indecent/

[listopencil]

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/obscenity-...-and-profanity


Obscene, Indecent and Profane Broadcasts


It’s Against the Law

It is a violation of federal law to air obscene programming at any time. It is also a violation of federal law to air indecent programming or profane language during certain hours. Congress has given the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the responsibility for administratively enforcing these laws. The FCC may revoke a station license, impose a monetary forfeiture or issue a warning if a station airs obscene, indecent or profane material.

Obscene Broadcasts Are Prohibited at All Times

Obscene material is not protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution and cannot be broadcast at any time. The Supreme Court has established that, to be obscene, material must meet a three-pronged test:

• An average person, applying contemporary community standards, must find that the material, as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
• The material must depict or describe, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable law; and
• The material, taken as a whole, must lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

Indecent Broadcast Restrictions

The FCC has defined broadcast indecency as “language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities.” Indecent programming contains patently offensive sexual or excretory material that does not rise to the level of obscenity.

The courts have held that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely. It may, however, be restricted in order to avoid its broadcast during times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience.
Consistent with a federal indecency statute and federal court decisions interpreting the statute, the Commission adopted a rule that broadcasts -- both on television and radio -- that fit within the indecency definition and that are aired between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. are prohibited and subject to indecency enforcement action.

Profane Broadcast Restrictions

The FCC has defined profanity as “including language so grossly offensive to members of the public who actually hear it as to amount to a nuisance.” Like indecency, profane speech is prohibited on broadcast radio and television between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by houstonwhodat

They might leave the word "Chiefs" alone since it doesn't refer to skin color.

But it does refer to a culture stereotype so who knows.

Give em an inch they will take a mile.

Actually no it doesn't, the Chiefs were named after former KC mayor H. Roe Bartle who was nicknamed "The Chief".

[listopencil]

The term "redskin" does not meet the criteria for obscene or indecent programming. I can see that some people may try to argue that it is a profanity, but that's going to be a tough sell.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Thig Lyfe

The Redskins can keep their name if they change the logo to a potato.

That would be offensive to the Irish

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

That would be offensive to the Irish

How many potatoes does it take to kill an Irishman?

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by listopencil

How many potatoes does it take to kill an Irishman?

Stop!

[Thig Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

That would be offensive to the Irish

FRESH JOKEZ

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

Stop!

None.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by listopencil

None.

[Beef Supreme]

If they do change the name, I think they should change it to the Washington Bullets.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

fwiw, Sweet Dick would totally sport some "Washinton N*****" swag!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Pasta Little Brioni]

I think you've got the solution...The Washington Sweet Dicks would be a kickass compromise

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by PGM

I think you've got the solution...The Washington Sweet Dicks would be a kickass compromise

I'd buy a jersey.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by PGM

I think you've got the solution...The Washington Sweet Dicks would be a kickass compromise

****in'-a, we have a WINNAH! That's some Sheen-quality WINNING!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by listopencil

I'd buy a jersey.

You bet your sweet dick you would!
Posted via Mobile Device