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Shock jocks are not the only ones feeling the hot breath of the FCC on the back of the neck. So has the high-tone Public Broadcasting Service. Recently, Masterpiece Theater, in consultation with PBS, cut not just the usual f-word but also the s-word, formerly acceptable-in-context, from the British series "Prime Suspect." Mystery and Masterpiece Theatre Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton explained that PBS had to consider the real effect of FCC fines on PBS stations.
The photos from Abu Ghraib have left an indelible impression around the world, but only in the military's own report into the matter does the full picture become clear. This week, the Taguba report was widely available online, leaving little doubt in the minds of many that responsibility stretches far up the chain of command. But technically, that report remains classified. Brooke looks at the question of why it was classified in the first place with Steven Aftergood, director of the Federation of American Scientists' Project on Government Secrecy.
Satellite radio companies are only licensed to air nationally-targeted programming. But last month, XM Radio started airing local traffic and weather reports. XM contends it's not violating the terms of its license, because the local content is being offered nationally - listeners in Seattle can tune to the channel for traffic in Philadelphia. But the National Association of Broadcasters doesn't see it that way, and this month complained to the FCC on behalf of its member stations. Bob talks to former FCC chief economist about the trouble with regulating satellite radio.
After months of poring over the oeuvre of former USA Today reporter Jack Kelley, the paper this week revealed the extent of Kelley's fabrications and plagiarisms, and the institutional weaknesses that enabled him over the years. Not a day had passed before upper editorial heads were rolling. USA Today editor Karen Jurgensen and managing editor for news Hal Ritter abruptly resigned. Executive Editor Brian Gallagher announced that he too will step down as soon as a replacement is found. Bob talks to USA Today reporter Mark Memmott, who was once one of Kelley's editors.
Last month, righteous Congressional debates over smut on the airwaves were promptly followed by the House overwhelmingly approving the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004. But the bill's prospects in the Senate could prove somewhat more complicated. That's because Senator Byron Dorgan has amended the bill with a measure that would delay the implementation of the FCC's new media ownership caps. Senator Dorgan tells Brooke what media deregulation has to do with breasts and bad words on TV.
USA Today is wrapping up its investigation of one of its own - former reporter Jack Kelley. So far, the paper says there is strong evidence that the 21-year veteran of the paper and five-time Pulitzer finalist fabricated substantial portions of at least eight major stories, and that his "journalistic sins" were "sweeping and substantial." Bob talks to Salon contributing writer John Gorenfeld about why readers were so willing to believe in Kelley's oft-colorful dispatches.
This week, the Clear Channel radio behemoth dropped the Howard Stern show from its programming lineup. Washington lawmakers are applauding the move. Stern says he's the victim of a backlash triggered by Janet Jackson's boob. But might he also be the latest casualty at the crossroads of the FCC's twin agendas - cleaning up and deregulating the airwaves? Bob agrees that Howard's show stinks, but thinks that the cancellation smells worse.
The fallout from Janet Jackson's infamous Superbowl fallout has moved to Capitol Hill, where Congress is holding impassioned hearings on new penalties for indecency on the airwaves. But a much more compelling threat to broadcasters might not come from the government at all. This week, cable giant Comcast announced that it's setting its sights on the Walt Disney Co. - owner of ABC and ESPN, among others - and Disney went on the defensive against a hostile takeover bid. Bob talks to George Mannes, senior writer at thestreet.com.
