The Federal Communications Commission plans sanctions against Fox, CBS and NBC television stations or affiliates for violating decency standards, signaling a renewed effort by the Bush administration to crack down on broadcasters, people familiar with the matter said.
The rulings, which may come as early as this week, will be the first under FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and will add the common expletive for excrement to words that cannot be said on the air in almost any context, said four FCC officials who asked not to be identified. The new prohibition stems from a 2003 appearance on Fox by celebrity Nicole Richie, they said.
While tightening restrictions on what broadcasters can air, Martin also will provide the additional guidance they have sought by issuing rulings on about 40 cases at once.
Among the decisions, the first FCC indecency rulings in 14 months, are findings against News Corp.’s Fox for broadcasting celebrity Nicole Richie saying “s—” and “f—” at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, the FCC officials said. The vulgarity for intercourse has since been banned in most contexts.
The FCC also will affirm its $550,000 fine against CBS for its 2004 Super Bowl halftime show in which singer Janet Jackson’s breast was bared, they said.
