The Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) decides what words you ca n’t say on telecasting . Specifically , the FCC prohibits — between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. — " language or textile that , in setting , depicts or describes , in terms patently offensive as measured by modern-day residential area measure for the broadcast medium , sexual or excretory organs or activities " [ source : FCC ] . However , these rule only apply to program television — not to cable or Internet TV .
Furthermore , broadcast channels break FCC rules fair often , either accidentally or by crusade the limit . In some cases , convention circuit breaker look fines . In other cases , the FCC either decides that the rule does n’t enforce or it simply declines to apply its own penalties . One famous incident involved Bono , lead Isaac Bashevis Singer forrock ' n ' rollgroup U2 , who in 2003 dropped an uncensored F - bomb during the Golden Globe Awards . The FCC go over the incident and first adjudicate that the fact that Bono used the f - give-and-take as an intensifier , rather than using it to describe " sexual organs or activities , " meant that Bono did n’t really violate FCC regulations . However , under pressure surveil a number of indecency complaints ( recall the booby visualize ' polish the world at Janet Jackson ’s 2004Super Bowlhalftime show ? ) , the FCC changed its mind and ruled against Bono — but decline to fine him . Unsure about the nuances of FCC regulation , broadcast networks often tug the envelope by using devices like write profanity into scenes and then obscuring it with taxi horns and other backdrop noise .
To tot to the confusedness , in 2012 FCC rules make a little more complicated when the Supreme Court threw out fines for " fugitive swearing or nudity . " Rather than ruling that " fleeting expletives " ( like Bono ’s F - turkey ) should be allowable , however , the Supreme Court but slapped the FCC on the articulatio radiocarpea for failure to adequately advise broadcasters that it had tighten its standards .
The ruling , coupled with the fact that the FCC has n’t offered any further uncloudedness or guidance on the subject , leaves both broadcast networks and television viewers wonder : What on the button are the standards ? New York Times reporter Edward Wyatt asks , " the next time Cher appear on a springy prize show , should adult witness cover the ears of their 8 - year - old , or can they look on the broadcasters to censor indecent content ? " [ source : Wyatt ] . ego - governing initiative like Clear Channel ’s propose " Commission for Responsible Broadcasting " have fail to gain a foothold in the unregulated earth of cable television . There is n’t much reason to expect air video to ego - regulate , either . If you ’re learn words you ’d rather not hear on TV , your honorable stakes is to enquire the channel - blocking and privacy options on your DVR or cable corner .
