WASHINGTON, March 3 (UPI) -- A U.S. House committee approved a measure Wednesday dramatically increasing the fines the FCC can impose on broadcasters who air obscene material.
Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., is sponsor of the bill approved by the Energy and Commerce Committee that would raise the maximum fine on broadcasters for a single violation of federal decency standards to from the current $27,500 threshold to $500,000 with no cap on the amount that can be fined for a series of related violations.
The debate in the House over broadcasting decency was tipped off by the Superbowl halftime show in which pop star Janet Jackson exposed one of her breasts.
Debate over broadcast decency has gone much more leisurely pace in the Senate.
Newly installed Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas, said Wednesday Americans want broadcasters to step back over the line they have crossed when it comes to their programming content.
"We are not going to accept that kind of material over the public airways," said Barton.
The full House is expected to take up the measure next week.
