Dear Friends,

It seems that profanity, nudity and gratuitous sex are ingredients broadcasters regularly use today to concoct "successful" recipes for television programming. And the courts seem to be willing to play the part of "sous chef."

Last month, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the case of Janet Jackson's striptease during the 2004 Super Bowl.

The court claimed that this action was not "pervasive as to amount to 'shock treatment' for the audience," essentially stripping the FCC's ability to regulate inappropriate nudity on television.

It is utterly incomprehensible that a court would decide that Janet Jackson's live-television breast exposure to 90 million viewers worldwide was not offensive "shock treatment." The infamous "wardrobe malfunction" was clearly intended to shock the worldwide audience. It incited unprecedented outrage and immediate phone calls and e-mails from viewers to the FCC.

This ruling follows one by the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which also went against the FCC and allows broadcasters to use the "F" and "S" words at anytime of day regardless of whether or not children are in the viewing audience.

These two rulings are likely to significantly hamper the FCC's efforts to enforce decency regulations against networks. Naturally, the broadcasters are determined to use this to their advantage! All of the major networks, including Disney parent company ABC, have sued the FCC for the right to air profanity whenever they want. Networks continue to disregard their public responsibilities and flood our airwaves with indecent and obscene programs.

The public airwaves must be made safe for American families! It is time to act!

TAKE ACTION!
The Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act (S. 1780) would allow the FCC to penalize broadcasters for irresponsible programming. Yet, Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) will not bring this bill to the Senate floor for a vote! Please call your Senators in their district offices and ask them to urge Sen. Reid to schedule S. 1780 for a vote in September. You can find your Senators' contact information by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Wendy Wright
President