The FCC's campaign for cultural puritanism

At Corante, Ernest Miller has some unregulated thoughts about the FCC's breach of the profane barrier:

In a decision released yesterday, the FCC announced a new doctrine of fining "profane" broadcasts. Although 18 USC 1464 has always given the FCC jurisdiction over "obscene, indecent or profane language," the FCC has never based any fine on "profane" language, preferring to rely on indecency rulings. Given the newness of this interpretation of the law and the vagaries of the definition of "profane," this might be the most far reaching of the FCC's recent assaults on freedom of expression. Could the FCC be getting into the business of regulating hate speech? ...

And Ernie adds: "Despite the fact that this is, essentially, a brand new doctrine, the decision gives this new interpretation of the law relatively short shrift, though it has the potential to be incredibly far reaching."

There's one word for the FCC's new doctrine: dangerous. In declaring that all "vulgar and coarse" language must be kept off the U.S. airwaves, the FCC seems to be imposing an unpredecented form of cultural puritanism. As Ernie notes, "not all vulgar and coarse language is indecent," so this has nothing to do with its traditional crusade to prevent some dirty words from being expressed on the air. It does have to do with imposing a Clear Channel-style era of timidity and blandless on everyone who appears on the radio or network television.

Those who believe in the First Amendment -- including journalists who believe in robust and from-the-fringe political expression -- ought to be very concerned about this new chill the FCC has thrown into the air.