Senate Passes Decency Bill

The Senate passed the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 last Thursday. The bill will raise fines for broadcasting indecent material from $32,500 to $325,000. The ten-fold increase was applauded by Republican Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan), who introduced the bill last January.

"I am glad the Senate took action and increased fines for broadcasters who show indecent material," Brownback said in a press release. "Radio and television waves are public property, and the companies who profit from using the public airwaves should face meaningful fines for broadcasting indecent material."

"I urge the House to take action on increasing fines so we can send a bill to the White House," Brownback continued. "It's time that broadcast indecency fines represent a real economic penalty and not just a slap on the wrist."

The new bill only raises fines for indecency infractions. It does not address the definitions of indencency or give the Federal Communications Commission new powers to revoke licenses.