In the minds of many viewers, the current anti-indecency crusade isn't just out to make the airwaves safe for families and children. Another likely goal is to punish TV for its brazen smut-peddling. With a four-letter word here and a "wardrobe malfunction" there, surely someone in power - the executives, the stars, the creators? - deserves a good thrashing. Viewers may not agree on what indecency is or how to fix it. But they want someone to answer for TV's sins. Cracking down on TV content is the latest rage in the culture wars.
Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc. recently advocated criminal prosecution for indecent material aired by broadcasters. Another proposal would expand the purview of the Federal Communications Commission beyond over-the-air broadcasting to add cable and satellite programming _ which would place shows from such networks as MTV, FX and even HBO under the thumb of the feds. And don't forget a bill passed by the House that would hike existing indecency fines from $32,500 to as much as $500,000 per infraction.
A poll released last week reported broad public support for curbing media indecency. But the Pew Research Center survey found something else: By 48 to 41 percent, respondents saw greater danger in the government imposing undue restrictions on the entertainment industry than from harmful material the industry might dispense.
So the questions becomes where do we draw the line?
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