President Bush has signed legislation that increases fines for broadcasters who violate indecency standards from $32,500 to $325,000.
“We must ensure that decency standards for broadcasters are effectively enforced,” Bush told a crowd during a bill signing ceremony at the White House this morning, according to the Washington Post.
“That’s the duty of the FCC. That’s why we’ve got the chairman standing right here.”
The legislation comes more than two years since Janet Jackson exposed her breast in front of a national television audience during the 2004 Super Bowl, giving rise to calls by legislators for the fine increase.
By law, radio stations and over-the-air television channels are prohibited from airing obscene material at any time. They also may not air indecent material between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. which is considered a period when children may be watching or listening.
Cable and satellite broadcasts are exempt from such rules.
According to the FCC, indecent material is defined as that which contains sexual or excretory material that is not deemed obscene.
