U.S. Bishops Testify in Favor of Proposed FCC Indecency Rules

Katherine Grincewich testified that the proposed rule would alleviate the current difficulty in producing evidence of indecency. The burden of proof is currently on the viewer, and while the one making the complaint may request a transcript or copy of the aired material in question, the broadcaster is not required to produce the archive.

“Absent a transcript or tape, the Commission is forced to make its initial decision based on a listener’s or viewer’s memory alone, a situation unfair to the complainant, the broadcaster and the Commission,” said Grincewich as reported by the bishop’s press office.

Grincewich also proposed that the FCC do more to urge broadcasters “to determine the needs and interests of their communities of license, air at least a minimum amount of public affairs, news and independently produced programs which meet those needs and interests and report to the public their actions,” she said.