NBC Broadcasts Obscenity… TWICE IN ONE WEEK!

Attention Culture Warriors: It’s time to let NBC and the FCC know that broadcasting indecent material is unacceptable. NBC is a network unafraid to promote the progressive version of morality when it comes to the environment, or homosexuality, but when it comes to good old traditional family values, it seems they could care less.

Last week, Jane Fonda blurted out the “c” word on live television (a crass reference to female anatomy) despite the fact that most television networks now employ time delays to avoid these kind of FCC violations (didn’t they learn anything from the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” at the Superbowl a few years ago?)

While that might seem like a forgivable offense (but still worthy of a fine) we find out that there was something even worse that happened last week on NBC: Full female nudity on broadcast television! The Parents Television Council has filed a complaint with NBC and the FCC because of a scene from the television show “Las Vegas” that aired last Friday featuring full female nudity. (Click here to read all about it.)

I know some people will react to this negatively. I can anticipate two negative reactions.

The first reaction some people may have is one that will be very defensive. These individuals will suggest that this is no big deal, and that people are fully capable of choosing to watch or not to watch this kind of stuff. Part of this argument is dead on. People are fully capable of choosing to watch or not watch this stuff.

The problem is, NBC is violating the law. FCC regulations are in place for a reason. They exist to protect children from being exposed to this in-your-face sexual material. How many kids are home on Friday nights watching television? Sure, parents can turn the television off, but what if the kid is over at a friends house? Can a parent watch a child 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

A full discussion about whether or not the FCC should be regulating things the way they do, or if they should be more lenient or more strict, is something worthy of a discussion all on its own. The point is, the television networks should follow the law as it is written in order to protect families.

The second negative reaction, that people will have to this story and the actions by the Parents Television Council is one of apathy. They’ll ask “what good will it do?” and “This is just another example of everything wrong in our culture and we can’t stop it.”

I’m sure there is an appropriate quote to address this common attitude. However, I can’t think of one right now, so let me make up my own:

“Inevitability is a poor excuse for not standing up for ones principles. ” - Andy Barnett

Those of us who are people of faith know that we are called to “fight the good fight” and to “run the race as if to win.” So with that said, let me encourage you to take action. Click here to fight!