With radio you must be
descriptive
Radio
 Radio at one time was localized.
 Telecommunications Act of 1996 ended that – which allowed media
conglomerates to purchase the stations, making them less localized.
 The Act contained provisions to, among other things: i) open
competition between local telephone companies, long distance
providers, and cable companies; ii) help connect all classrooms,
libraries, and hospitals to the information superhighway by the end of
this decade; iii) give families control of the programming that comes
into their homes through television; and iv) prevent undue
concentration in television and radio ownership so that a diversity of
voices and viewpoints can continue to flourish in this Nation.
Due to lack of Localized
Stations…
 The interest in Internet Radio has soared.
 Prior to that you had XM and Sirius Satellite radio.
 This afforded more choices and less commercials – making
it difficult for your regular radio stations to compete.
What goes on?
 $$ controls what goes on the air.
 Through sponsorships, advertisers, corporate biases.
 And of course the Federal Communications Commission.
Going back to Radio
 Because you can’t see the images from the radio you must
rely on sound effects, music and narration.
 The above mentioned sets the time, scene and place.
 Orson Wells: War of the Worlds – classic example of how
attention to portray detail scared a nation.
The Federal Communications
Commission
 Despite what the audience may want at times the FCC
puts on the brakes.
 Reasons: Lawsuits, petitions, controversy and of course
fines.
 They regulate what goes on the air by stating in general
that nothing offensive should be there.
But what is offensive?
 FCC Defines Indecent as:
 “Language or material that, in context, depicts or
describes, in terms of patently offensive as measured by
contemporary community standards for the broadcast
medium, sexual or excretory activities or organs.”
So what the H*ck does that
mean?
 It means – ask your lawyer before you produce something.
Seven Dirty Words
 Comedian George Carlin
 Seven Dirty Words Case
 FCC fined Pacifica Radio Station WBAI in New York for
playing his segment on the air.
 Fine was upheld by Supreme Court that did not define what
indecency was further.
Censorship
 The Communications Decency Act: Banned the
transmission of Indecent material to protect children.
 So shows that would be questionable are aired between 10
p.m. and 6 a.m.
 Most concrete rule most shows goes are George Carlin’s 7
Dirty Words you Can’t Say on Television.
Censorship cont…
 Censorship is also ruled by partnerships.
 For example – if there is a massive accident at Walt Disney
World, the company will do all it can to censor what is
aired on it’s news specials because it owns ABC.
Dark Days of McCarthyism
 Censorship to the extreme – blacklist of the 1950s
 Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin – “Guilt by
accusation” practices. (Even false accusation).
 Broadcasters denied freedom of speech and the freedom
to work with performers, directors, producers and writers
who were accused of being “un-American.”
 Most Recently “The Patriot Act.”
Fairness Doctrine
 This was a requirement by the FCC: Broadcasters had to
present both sides of an issue.
 Broadcasters fought this doctrine and in 1987 it was
abolished after President Ronald Reagan vetoed a
congressional bill.
Offended Audiences = Lawsuits
 Miller v.s. California: Determined that obscenity is not protected
by the First Amendment.
 The 1973 landmark case determined that:
 Applying contemporary community standards the work should
appeal to an average person’s prominent interest.
 Work that describes sexual conduct in an offensive way as defined
by the state is not protected.
 Work lacks literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
 Classic example – The wardrobe malfunction in 2004.
 Current:
Assignment for Monday
 Start reading Chapter 2 of Hillard.
 There will be a quiz on the lecture on Wednesday.
 Bring your Audience Assignment to Class on Wednesday to
present.
 NO CLASS MONDAY!