Increased FCC Fines without Clear Guidelines Endangers Free Expression

Arguing that action could contribute to a serious erosion of free speech and free media guarantees in the U.S. Constitution, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) called on the Federal Communications Commission to rescind its request for authority to increase tenfold the fines the commission could levy on broadcast entities the Commission deems to have violated nonspecific guidelines on obscenity and indecency.

Leaders of the nearly 20,000-member organization of professional communicators instead suggested in a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell that the FCC clarify and strengthen the guidelines so broadcasters and their employees know exactly what they can and cannot do.