What are the FCC guidelines for obscenity?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: August 27, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
Federal law strictly prohibits the broadcast of obscene, indecent, or profane content over the airwaves. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces these limits for free, over-the-air radio and television, the guidelines are distinctly defined and applied.
What does the FCC consider obscene?
Also, “language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, such as sexual or excretory activities and organs.” Further, the FCC says defines “obscenity” and “profanity” as “depicting or describing sexual ...
What 7 words are not allowed on radio?
The "seven dirty words" are a list of profanities first popularized by comedian George Carlin in his 1972 routine Seven dirty words - Wikipedia.
Is the FCC allowed to censor?
Section 326 says nothing in the Communications Act "shall be understood or construed to give the Commission the power of censorship over the radio communications or signals transmitted by any [broadcast] station." It further prohibits the FCC from issuing rules or conditions that "shall interfere with the right of free ...
What are the criteria for obscenity?
In the United States, obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. To determine if content is legally obscene, courts and juries use the Miller test. Established by the Supreme Court in Miller v. California, the test requires a work to satisfy all three of the following criteria:
Why Does The FCC Regulate Profanity On Television? - You Cant Make This Law Up
What is the new obscenity law?
The new definition removes dependence on ever-changing and elusive public opinion, replacing ambiguity with practical standards to make obscenity identifiable. This change will prevent obscene material such as pornography from evading prosecution by relying on the legal confusion of differing standards between states.
What is the 3-part test the Court uses to determine obscenity?
For content to be ruled obscene, it must meet a three-pronged test established by the Supreme Court: It must appeal to an average person's prurient interest; depict or describe sexual conduct in a "patently offensive" way; and, taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
What are the 7 FCC banned words?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces federal laws prohibiting the broadcast of obscene, indecent, and profane material. The concept of the "seven dirty words" was popularized by comedian George Carlin in his 1972 monologue "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television."
What is the FCC 318 rule?
FCC Schedule 318 is used to apply for authority to construct a new LPFM broadcast station, to make changes in an authorized LPFM broadcast station, or to amend a pending FCC Schedule 318 (Application for Construction Permit for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station).
What are the FCC 15 rules?
FCC Part 15 regulations (47 CFR Part 15) govern the operation and marketing of electronic devices that emit radio frequency (RF) energy, allowing them to be used without an individual license. Almost all consumer electronics, from smart home equipment to computers, must comply to prevent interference with licensed communications.
What song was banned from radio?
Hundreds of iconic songs have been banned or restricted from radio airplay over the decades. Stations and regulatory bodies—like the FCC in the US or the BBC in the UK—have pulled tracks for reasons ranging from politics and war to perceived obscenity, drug references, and even to avoid inciting violence.
Is cr * pa a swear word?
Yes, "crap" is widely considered a mild swear word or profanity. It is a socially acceptable, softened euphemism for stronger words like "shit", but it remains an informal and potentially rude term that should be avoided in formal or polite settings.
Can you say "moron" on the radio?
Yes, you can absolutely say "moron" on the radio. It is not considered an obscene or indecent word by the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S.
What is the difference between obscenity and indecency?
In United States law, obscenity is extreme, hard-core sexual or excretory material that receives zero First Amendment protection and can be completely banned. Indecency refers to less severe, patently offensive material. Indecent content for adults retains First Amendment protection, but the government restricts when and where it can be broadcast or accessed to protect children.
What are three of the six types of complaints you can make to the FCC?
Types of complaints we receive include access and billing concerns and issues with advertised service speeds, number porting, equipment, unwanted calls and texts, and more. Certain complaints may be sent to your service provider by the FCC to help resolve the issue.
What is legally obscene speech?
Obscenity is a category of speech that is unprotected by the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech and Expression protections. Obscenity laws are concerned with prohibiting lewd, or extremely offensive words or pictures in public. All fifty states have individual laws controlling obscene material.
What constitutes an FCC violation?
An FCC violation is a breach of the rules and regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which governs communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in the United States. These infractions can range from minor technical errors to illegal pirate broadcasting and severe indecency offenses.
What is FCC rule 27?
The FCC may require modifications necessary to eliminate interrupting interferences. Part 27 states the conditions under which the 2305 – 2320 and 2345 – 2360 MHz bands are available and licensed for WCS. Fixed, mobile, and radiolocation services are provided while using the frequency bands previously mentioned.
What is the FCC Rule Part 97?
FCC Part 97 regulates the Amateur Radio Service in the United States. Its primary purpose is to provide a voluntary, noncommercial communications service with an emphasis on emergency communications and technical advancement.
Does the FCC allow cursing?
Federal law prohibits obscene, indecent and profane content from being broadcast on the radio or TV.
What counts as profanity?
Profanity may be described as offensive language, dirty words, or taboo words, among other descriptors. The term profane originates from classical Latin profanus, literally 'before (outside) the temple', pro meaning 'outside' and fanum meaning 'temple, sanctuary'.
What are the banned words list?
The term "banned word list" can refer to several different contexts. Depending on what you are looking for, these are the most common compilations:
What are the obscenity requirements?
In the United States, obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. To determine if content is legally obscene, courts and juries use the Miller test. Established by the Supreme Court in Miller v. California, the test requires a work to satisfy all three of the following criteria:
What is the Miller test for obscenity?
The Miller Test is the United States Supreme Court's standard for determining whether speech or expression is legally "obscene". If material is classified as obscene, it is not protected by the First Amendment and can be entirely prohibited or restricted.
What is the law of obscenity?
Obscenity in law refers to a narrow, legally defined category of sexually explicit or highly offensive material that is not protected by freedom of speech or expression. In the United States, obscenity laws are enforced at both federal and state levels to restrict the sale, distribution, and public display of such content.