Free Republic

November 30th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could potentially engage in one of the largest federal power grabs we have ever seen. After two years of this Presidential Administration and this Congress, that is saying an awful lot about an awful lot. And what’s worse, the FCC would be doing it without Congress weighing in. At the FCC’s November meeting – note the coincidental date of choice, AFTER the impending election – three unelected bureaucrats (of five) could simply vote themselves rulers of 1/6th of our entire economy – the information and technology sector. Meaning the Internet that you currently...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters)-The U.S. government's crackdown on media indecency could prevent World War Two veterans from sharing their stories in an upcoming TV documentary series by Ken Burns, the head of the Public Broadcasting Service said on Wednesday.Noted filmaker Burns' highly anticipated seven-part series "The War" features salty language used by servicemen and others. If the explecitives make it to air, they could lead to crippling fines for the offencing stations as a result of a new law signed last month by President George W. Bush.

WASHINGTON - In its continuing crackdown on on-air profanity, the FCC has requested numerous tapes from broadcasters that might include vulgar remarks from unruly spectators, coaches and athletes at live sporting events, industry sources said. Tapes requested by the commission include live broadcasts of football games and NASCAR races where the participants or the crowds let loose with an expletive. While commission officials refused to talk about its requests, one broadcast company executive said the commission had asked for 30 tapes of live sports and news programs. “It looks like they want to end live broadcast TV,” said one executive,...