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.

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.

Offended Audiences = Lawsuits

Miller v.s. California: Determined that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.

The 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: Petition by moms asking that NickMom be

removed from NickJr.

Assignment for Monday

Start reading Chapter 2 of Hillard.

There will be a quiz on the lecture on Wednesday.

Also be sure to study the details of Miller v. California. We will discuss.