Satellite Radio and Indecency (Round 2)

A group called Morality In Media, who sound like the life at the party, issued today what appears to be the worst press release ever written. Regardless of the writing style, or to the brevity of its headline, these people are calling for Broadcast Indecency Laws to apply for satellite radio.

Citing that since Howard Stern will be on SIRIUS, his show will be "even filthier than it already is." They go on to point out a slew of reasons why Satellite Radio should be subject to FCC regulation, including:

1. The FCC defines 'broadcasting' as an 'intent for public distribution' and whether programming was 'of interest to the general... audience.' (what about the Internet?)
   
2. In the early 1990s, two federal courts upheld a law that prohibited indecent communications for commercial purposes by means of telephone. (Telephone = Satellite Radio?)
3. Even though Satellite Radio is not 'pervasive' - in 1927, when Congress acted the broadcast indecency law, traditional radio wasn't 'pervasive' either. (80 year old arguement)
   
4. Even though parents can block channels, they may not understand English, have a physical or mental disability, or are even just naive. (so the government must do the work for them!)
   
5. ...and more
   

Agree or disagree? Feel free to voice your comments here, or if you're so inclined - give a call to Robert Peters of Morality In Media at 212-870-3210 - and let him know what you think! While you're at it, let him know how much I appreciate the headline to his release.

[Whether Broadcast From a Tower or a Satellite, It is Still the Public Airwaves, and The Howard Stern Show Should Still Be Subject to Broadcast Indecency Law, Says Morality In Media]