How much does the FCC fine for cursing?
Asked by: Mr. Derick Shields | Last update: March 13, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (9 votes)
Yes, the FCC can fine broadcasters for indecent or profane language on radio and TV, with penalties ranging from fines (potentially thousands per violation) to license issues, though their enforcement has faced legal challenges, particularly regarding "fleeting" expletives, with Supreme Court rulings shifting the landscape and highlighting First Amendment concerns, making the rules complex and context-dependent.
How much is the FCC fine for cussing?
Thus, language violations have serious and permanent consequences, requiring defense fees and possible FCC fines from $10,000 to $100,000 or more or grounds for the license to not be renewed. They can disable or close a community radio station.
What is the penalty for violating the FCC?
Under 47 U.S.C. § 502, any person who willfully and knowingly violates a regulation of the Federal Communications Commission is subject to a maximum fine of $500 for each day on which a violation occurs.
How much does the FCC fine for cursing in SNL?
Television programs and their production companies cannot be fined by the FCC.
What are the FCC rules for profanity?
Section 1464 of Title 18 of the United States Code provides that, “Whoever utters any obscene, indecent, or profane language by means of radio communication shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” Section 503 of Title 47 authorizes the FCC to impose such fines.
How Does The FCC Regulate Profanity On TV? - You Cant Make This Law Up
Can you get fined for swearing?
Context: Casual or private swearing is unlikely to lead to fines, but aggressive or loud swearing in public can. Intent: If the swearing is intended to insult, threaten, or harass, you are more likely to face fines. Reaction of Others: If someone is offended, distressed, or disturbed by your language, police may act.
What are the 7 words you can't say on the radio?
The words, in the order Carlin listed them, are: "shit", "piss", "fuck", "cunt", "cocksucker", "motherfucker", and "tits". These words were considered highly inappropriate and unsuitable for broadcast on the public airwaves in the United States, whether radio or television.
Can you swear on TV after 10pm?
Broadcasting obscene content is prohibited by law at all times of the day. Indecent and profane content are prohibited on broadcast TV and radio between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. What about cable, satellite TV and satellite radio?
What are the new FCC laws 2025?
In 2025, the FCC implemented significant Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) changes, notably the "one-to-one consent" rule (effective Jan 2026 after delays) requiring specific consent for each seller, closing the lead generator loophole, and new rules making it easier for consumers to revoke consent for robocalls/texts (April 2025 effective date) by honoring keywords like "STOP" and any reasonable means within 10 days. The FCC also proposed rules to allow prison jamming of contraband phones and began reviewing broadcast ownership rules.
Who is the highest paid on SNL?
The highest-paid Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast members often include long-tenured stars like Kenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, and Cecily Strong, alongside successful alumni like Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy, and Adam Sandler, with top earners reaching salaries well into the millions annually through their base pay and lucrative off-SNL ventures, while new hires start around $3,000 per episode (about $63k/season) and see substantial raises for each year on the show, reaching potentially over $15,000 per episode by their fifth season.
Do you get fined if you swear on TV?
Section 559, “[w]hoever transmits over any cable system any matter which is obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution of the United States shall be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.” Section 73.3999 of the Commission's rules, applicable to broadcast stations, bans the ...
What was the highest fine ever levied by the FCC?
, August 3, 2023—The Federal Communications Commission today issued a record-breaking $299,997,000 fine for auto warranty scam robocalls made by the largest illegal robocall operation the agency has ever investigated.
Can the FCC track your ham radio?
Yes, the FCC can track your ham radio, especially if you are operating illegally (unlicensed or violating rules) using directional antennas, signal analysis, and databases to find your location, often prompted by complaints from other hams or users experiencing interference. While licensed operators are generally trusted, unlicensed "pirates" are actively sought using mobile direction-finding (DF) units and can face significant fines or penalties, as the FCC has the authority to find and stop unauthorized transmissions.
Can you be charged for cursing?
Legal Protections for Swearing at Law Enforcement
The U.S. Supreme Court allows disorderly conduct laws to make it a crime to disrupt public order or disturb the peace by using expletives or offensive language that's threatening or likely to provoke immediate violence (“fighting words”).
Can you say the f word on the radio?
Federal law prohibits obscene, indecent and profane content from being broadcast on the radio or TV. That may seem clear enough, but determining what obscene, indecent and profane mean can be difficult, depending on who you talk to.
What is the 3 part test for obscenity?
Does the work depict or describe, in an explicit, “patently offensive way,” sexual conduct or excretory functions as defined by state laws? 3. Does the work, taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value? A work is deemed obscene under this test only if it meets all three criteria.
Are texts between 9pm and 8am illegal?
Federal regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibit sending marketing texts between 9 PM and 8 AM local time, and several states have additional restrictions. Violating these rules can result in fines and damage to brand reputation.
What does the FCC not allow?
The FCC's implementing regulations prohibit the broadcast of obscene speech at any time—as obscenity, as defined by the Supreme Court, is not protected by the First Amendment—and prohibit broadcasts of indecent speech between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. FCC regulations do not address "profane" speech.
What is the FCC 1 to 1 rule?
In 2023, the FCC issued a rule requiring one-to-one consent for lead generators, i.e. if a consumer signed up to be contacted by phone or text the consent had to be for one specific seller and the contact had to be “logically and topically” related to the interaction leading to the consent.
What 7 words are not allowed on TV?
In 1972, George Carlin took to the stage in Santa Monica, California, with a monologue that would become legendary: “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” The “Seven Dirty Words” were p—, f—, c—, c———, m———–, and t—. (Apparently, they're words you still can't say, even on blogs.)
Is saying the f word illegal?
United States. In the United States, courts have generally ruled that the government does not have the right to prosecute someone solely for the use of an expletive, which would be a violation of their right to free speech enshrined in the First Amendment.
Does Netflix allow cussing?
We employ an AI-automated language filtering program that “reads” movies and television shows to look for profanity and other objectionable words to ensure a family-friendly viewing for all.
How to say the f word without saying it?
Appropriate Alternatives for the Exclamation “F*ck!”
- Frick!
- Freak!
- Frack!
- Fark!
- Fork!
- Feck!
- Fudge!
- Phooey!
Why is the F word not allowed on TV?
Obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment and is therefore prohibited on cable, satellite and broadcast TV and radio. Indecency and profanity are prohibited on broadcast media during specific times when children may be watching, as listed by the FCC, but are not prohibited on cable or satellite.
What makes a word a "swear" word?
For a word to qualify as a swear word, it must have the potential to offend, crossing a cultural line into taboo territory. As a general rule, swear words originate from taboo subjects. This is pretty logical. The topic is off-limits, so the related words aren't meant to be spoken either.