All types of broadcast indecency was discussed in a congressional hearing that was originally held to focus on TV. The hearing in the House Energy and Commerce telecom subcommittee came a day after the FCC proposed its largest ever fine for broadcast indecency.
The $755,000 fine for Clear Channel stemmed from several incidents related to its "Bubba the Love Sponge" show that aired on in Florida.
FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief David Solomon credited current chairman Michael Powell for several improvements to indecency enforcement. Solomon cited the chairman's support for a bill introduced by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., calling for a 10-fold increase in the maximum indecency forfeiture permitted by the Communications Act.
Clear Channel has proposed the formation of an indecency task force, to sort out what would and would not be appropriate for on-air use.
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