Conservative Groups Denounce FCC Decision On Bono's Use of "F**k"

[maude]

I mean if Bono came out and said "Whoever didnt vote for us are fucking assholes" well then I'd be offended

I don't mean to be picky, but the f-word is actually used as and adjective in your above example. And if you do find that offensive, then you will not like the new guidlines the FCC has determined in regards to the f-word.

Here is an extract from the FCC's website regarding the case. The original document can be found here: http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2003/DA-03-3045A1.html

The Commission defines indecent speech as language
that, in context, 12 depicts or describes sexual or
excretory activities or organs in terms patently offensive
as measured by contemporary community standards for the
broadcast medium.13

Indecency findings involve at least
two fundamental determinations.
First, the material alleged to be
indecent must fall within the subject
matter scope of our indecency
definition?that is, the material must
describe or depict sexual or excretory
organs or activities. . . . Second,
the broadcast must be patently
offensive as measured by contemporary
community standards for the broadcast
medium.14

As a threshold matter, the material aired during the
``Golden Globe Awards'' program does not describe or depict
sexual and excretory activities and organs. The word
``fucking'' may be crude and offensive, but, in the context
presented here, did not describe sexual or excretory organs
or activities. Rather, the performer used the word
``fucking'' as an adjective or expletive to emphasize an
exclamation. Indeed, in similar circumstances, we have
found that offensive language used as an insult rather than
as a description of sexual or excretory activity or organs
is not within the scope of the Commission's prohibition of
indecent program content.15

So according to the FCC, if it is used as an insult, or any other way except in describing sexual or excretory organs or activities, it is still ok to be broadcast on television, radio, etc. anytime of the night or day for all ears to hear.

Of course it is obvious that I am alone in the forum in being offended by this word. I do not believe I am alone in my sentiments on a national level.

Some speak of censorship and the rights of free speech. What sort of freedom do those that are offended by the use of this unnecessary term have when we can no longer turn on the television or the radio or read a newspaper without being assaulted with this sort of language. It's so easy to say "just change the channel" but what if there is nothing to change it to?

If it is infringing on anyone's free speech not to use this word, I pity the individual who cannot express an idea without using offensive explectives. Personally, I don't think it is too much to ask that this sort of language be curbed for broadcast media.

My opinion on this matter does not mean I do not hold equally strong feelings about the amount of sex and violence on television, or any other issue. As I said before, one can feel strongly about one issue and still have room for opinions and take action on other important issues as well.

Anyway, I have said my peace and won't bother you all with any more of my opinions.

Thanks for being courteous in your responses even though you all disagree very strongly with me. It is quite refreshing! *Big hugs to everyone*

 

[sue4u2]

I understand what you are saying, truly I do. I also don't see it going all over the airwaves because of this one incident. I mean really I wouldn't want it all up in commercials and sit coms etc. That's not going to happen anyway. It was a blunder an unintended slip, if you will. I just think the issue is getting more attention than it would if they would just shut up about it. It seems they are the ones that are keeping it in the news and alive for that matter. and maude, please never consider your opinions a bother. People fought and died for your right to express your opinions. And you do it quite well I might add.

 

[verte76]

I understand what you mean maude. It's something I'd rather not hear, but I just think it was a mistake.

 

[maude]

Yeah, I hope I'm just over-reacting. Anyway, thanks ya'll, for being understanding.

 

[verte76]

maude, I've been in a position where I've gotten an "award" (not a Golden Globe of course, it's too complex to explain the context) and I was so shocked and happy I lost it. I didn't say "fk" in public, but at one point I made a klutz out of myself by quite literally falling out of a chair. There were jokes about "the cushion incident" for awhile on a listserver. I was pretty embarrassed. I can see how Bono said that; he was probably pretty freaked to win an award in Hollywood and forgot about those pesky cameras. If I had cameras stuck on me the way he has them stuck on him I'd probably make a mistake at least once.

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

Of course it is obvious that I am alone in the forum in being offended by this word. I do not believe I am alone in my sentiments on a national level.

You're right, you aren't.

But as of now, every single person in this country has their own idea of what is and isn't offensive. Hence why it's really pointless to try and decide what should and should not be censored.

Originally posted by maude
Some speak of censorship and the rights of free speech. What sort of freedom do those that are offended by the use of this unnecessary term have when we can no longer turn on the television or the radio or read a newspaper without being assaulted with this sort of language. It's so easy to say "just change the channel" but what if there is nothing to change it to?

So turn off the T.V. altogether, or turn off the radio, or stop reading the newspaper. Go for a walk. Read a good book. Hang out with your kids. Whatever. Nobody's forced you, like I said, to watch that channel. You have the freedom to not watch that show, or listen to that song, and I can still have the freedom to watch that show or listen to that song.

And I'm sure that you'd be awfully hard pressed to not find something good on T.V.-what about some of the cartoons your kids enjoy? Or what about the classic shows on Nick at Nite or TV Land? Now, if you don't have cable, that could be a problem-but not every channel will have something offensive on at the same time.

Fact is, you will never fully get away from swear words. They're always going to be there. Pretty much every single person in this country has swore at some point and time in their lives. So to have people be offended by swear words when they've swore themselves is kinda hypocritical.

Originally posted by maude
If it is infringing on anyone's free speech not to use this word, I pity the individual who cannot express an idea without using offensive explectives. Personally, I don't think it is too much to ask that this sort of language be curbed for broadcast media.

My opinion on this matter does not mean I do not hold equally strong feelings about the amount of sex and violence on television, or any other issue. As I said before, one can feel strongly about one issue and still have room for opinions and take action on other important issues as well.

It's not so much that we feel that people should always use swear words to get their ideas across, it's just that swear words, sex, and violence will always be a part of the media. I don't understand why it's still such a shock to people.

And to be perfectly honest, I've always felt that all the "offensive" stuff on T.V. and whatnot was more a reflection of society than anything else. If this world was a rosy, happy, innocent place, there'd be no need for swear words and violence to be displayed on T.V.

However, that's not the case.

But if we do decide to censor something, before we go and censor it, it'd help to look at the context it's being used in, first. Like with Bono swearing at that awards show. The context it was used in was not offensive, therefore, no need to censor it.

Course, I feel censorship in any way, shape, or form is wrong anyway. Every single person in this country should be free to say what they want, read what they want, watch what they want, listen to what they want, etc., without fearing that someone else will stop them because they personally are offended by something.

Originally posted by maude
Anyway, I have said my peace and won't bother you all with any more of my opinions.

Thanks for being courteous in your responses even though you all disagree very strongly with me. It is quite refreshing! *Big hugs to everyone*

No problem *Returns hug*. And don't worry about bothering us with this...I like debating this issue. . We both evidently have very strong opinions on this issue, and both sides deserve to be heard.

Angela

 

[Sherry Darling]

I can see how Bono said that; he was probably pretty freaked to win an award in Hollywood and forgot about those pesky cameras. If I had cameras stuck on me the way he has them stuck on him I'd probably make a mistake at least once.

Not to mention that if I remember right, he had vodka in his water bottle instead of Evian. I'm thinking that mighta had something to do with it.

I have to agree with those that just don't think this is a huge deal.

SD

 

[maude]

maude, I've been in a position where I've gotten an "award" (not a Golden Globe of course, it's too complex to explain the context) and I was so shocked and happy I lost it. I didn't say "fk" in public, but at one point I made a klutz out of myself by quite literally falling out of a chair. There were jokes about "the cushion incident" for awhile on a listserver. I was pretty embarrassed. I can see how Bono said that; he was probably pretty freaked to win an award in Hollywood and forgot about those pesky cameras. If I had cameras stuck on me the way he has them stuck on him I'd probably make a mistake at least once.

Yes, I can understand the situation from that standpoint. I can see how he could easily let it slip in his excitement in winning the award, especially if he was a bit tipsy. I'm just concerned about the implications of the FCC's decision based on this incident.

 

[sue4u2]

Hey sue let's picket.

Okay, but I want to hit some Exxon/Mobil stations too for the human rights issues in Equatorial Guinea. another

 

[maude]

Course, I feel censorship in any way, shape, or form is wrong anyway. Every single person in this country should be free to say what they want, read what they want, watch what they want, listen to what they want, etc., without fearing that someone else will stop them because they personally are offended by something.

I did begin to respond to everything you wrote, point on point, but really I think our disagreement boils down basically to what you said in the above statement.

I find this idea quite interesting and it brings up a question in my mind in regards to this forum. Obviously this forum is censored to a degree. Certain things are considered offensive and mods delete offensive posts and you can even be banned for offensive behavior. So, in regards to your statement on censorship, I wonder if you think the forum would be better without the censorship?

And in regards to your statement that people should feel free to watch what they want, does this extend to such currently illegal things as child pornography?

Personally, I feel that censorship, to a certain extent, is a good thing. I think that it is one of the reasons this forum is so successful actually. People know they can come here and have a conversation without being verbally attacked or have to sift through pornographic or other "offensive" threads, and numerous other things you find on non-censored forums.

Basically, as far as the foul language issue goes, I don't consider having to censor that sort of language a negative thing, or trampling on someone else's freedom, because one can effectively communicate an idea without it.

Anyway, I suppose it would be best to simply agree to disagree, but nontheless I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

I did begin to respond to everything you wrote, point on point, but really I think our disagreement boils down basically to what you said in the above statement.

I find this idea quite interesting and it brings up a question in my mind in regards to this forum. Obviously this forum is censored to a degree. Certain things are considered offensive and mods delete offensive posts and you can even be banned for offensive behavior. So, in regards to your statement on censorship, I wonder if you think the forum would be better without the censorship?

I do think people should be able to say what they want on here, yes. Once again, it all depends on what offends someone. Certain things that could offend some people on here may not offend others in the slightest, and once again, it depends on the context in which they're said. And people do have to deal with rude people in the real world day in and day out, and that can't be censored, so...I dunno, I personally would feel that the same could be applied here.

Or like in the fan fiction section, people have to abide by certain rules on what is and isn't appropriate to put in their stories. And I've always felt that if you read a story that offends you personally, then you don't have to read it. Especially since people used to put disclaimers before certain stories, so it's not like these people who were offended didn't know what they were getting into.

That's just my view, however...obviously enough people disagreed with me so that it was changed, so....

Originally posted by maude
And in regards to your statement that people should feel free to watch what they want, does this extend to such currently illegal things as child pornography?

No, because that actually harms people, and the children don't consent to the activities involved.

Basically, what I mean when it comes to watching what people want, I mean that people should be able to watch, for example, an action movie without all the supposedly offensive scenes, like ones with certain swear words, or with maybe a fight between two people, or whatever, edited, merely because that's not harming anyone. That's just a movie. Things like that.

I guess what my feeling is is that everyone should be allowed to do what they want so long as what they do doesn't physically hurt anyone else and doesn't cause them to be held against their will.

As far as the emotional aspect goes, while it'd be great if people were not rude to each other in this world...like I said, as of now, the real world is nothing like that, and the real world cannot be censored. So instead of censoring those who are rude, we should face them head on.

Originally posted by maude
Personally, I feel that censorship, to a certain extent, is a good thing. I think that it is one of the reasons this forum is so successful actually. People know they can come here and have a conversation without being verbally attacked or have to sift through pornographic or other "offensive" threads, and numerous other things you find on non-censored forums.

This is true.

However, even with the slight censorship on here, there are people who still say rude things, and would say them regardless, so...I dunno. I personally think that everyone should get a chance to air their views, no matter how nice or mean they may be, just because, like I said, I think it's better to confront any "offensive" views head on rather than get rid of the person or people who said them.

As for the porn aspect, basically I think the main reason why it's not allowed here is more for the fact that it has nothing to do with the whole point of this forum than how offensive it may be to some people. And for that reason alone, I don't really consider that censorship.

Originally posted by maude
Basically, as far as the foul language issue goes, I don't consider having to censor that sort of language a negative thing, or trampling on someone else's freedom, because one can effectively communicate an idea without it.

This is true. But once again, it depends on the context someone who uses a swear word expresses it in.

Like, for example, when they edit out some of the swear words in "Good Morning, Vietnam" when they show it on T.V.-now, come on, this is the military-I find it awfully hard to believe that they clean up their language in that setting. So to censor that or put different, "non-offensive" words in place of the "offensive" ones seems kinda silly.

And even if someone is just swearing for the heck of it...*shrugs*. I agree that there's plenty better ways they could express themselves, but...it is just a word, and it'll only bother someone if they let it.

Originally posted by maude
Anyway, I suppose it would be best to simply agree to disagree, but nontheless I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

No problem. .

Angela

 

[Sue DeNym]

Not to mention that if I remember right, he had vodka in his water bottle instead of Evian. I'm thinking that mighta had something to do with it.

Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. Typical Bono!

 

[verte76]

Vodka in the water bottle.........that doesn't surprise me either.

 

[maude]

Hi Moonlit_Angel,

Thank you for answering my questions. Even though I don't agree with you, I do understand your point of view better now. Thanks for the discussion!