WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A member of the Federal Communications Commission Thursday called for a re-examination of the agency's definition of indecency.
"Michael J. Copps made the recommendation the morning after he said his office was flooded with e-mails from viewers complaining about a fashion show featuring the products of Victoria's Secret, a lingerie company, that aired Wednesday night on CBS.
One FCC source said the agency's e-mail system was overloaded, and crashed.
"It's time for the commission to change its definition of indecency," Copps said in a statement. "Too many indecency complaints from consumers and too many truly indecent broadcasts are falling through the cracks."
Of the nearly 500 indecency complaints received by the agency's enforcement bureau over the past year, "only a tiny number have resulted in any action," he said.
Copps made his concerns known to reporters at a breakfast the morning after CBS aired the hour-long "2002 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show."
None of the models appeared nude, despite a show organizer's telecast admonition to the models not to "feel that you're walking out naked." Some shots featured thong-clad women, some adorned with wings. Those scenes were interspersed with descriptions of how the wings were constructed and tongue-in-cheek testimonials about how lingerie has changed some people's lives.
You can't tell me this is what the pioneers of the great broadcast industry had in mind when they brought radio and TV to us.
-- FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Based on the commercials in the hour-long commercial -- including spots for Bud Light and Dodge pickup trucks -- the intended audience was likely largely male.
Representatives of Victoria's Secret and CBS did not immediately return phone calls.
Copps' critique of television went more than skin deep as he took aim at violence in programs.
"It's time for us to step up to the plate and tackle the wanton violence our kids are served up every day," he said in his statement. "Compelling arguments have been made that excessive violence is every bit as indecent, profane and obscene as anything else that's broadcast."
"It's shameful," the statement said. "You can't tell me this is what the pioneers of the great broadcast industry had in mind when they brought radio and TV to us. I surely hope my colleagues will join me in addressing this problem."
Indecency over the air has increased as media outlets have continued to consolidate, Copps said.
"Has consolidation led to an increase in the amount of indecent programming?" he asked." -Story from CNN on Thursday, November 21, 2002
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Dear Sir,
I am disgusted by the increasing amount of fascism and censorship that is infecting our United States government. As consumers, the people of this country have choices. It's a great freedom to be able to watch, listen, download, etc. the content that we see fit for our consumption.
We also have the freedom to avoid content that an individual might deem offensive or inappropriate.
Since we live in a capitalism loving country, I would think that the more advertisement and commercialism there is, the more money there would be flowing through our economy.
Beautiful women walking down a runway in their underclothing may seem inappropriate to some. To others (lingerie designers, photographers, artists, etc.) this event is seen as artistic expression in it's most provocative form. If PBS were to present a lingerie fashion show it would be seen as artistic or even social, why is it so 'indecent, profane and obscene' if it is aired on CBS?
You posed the question in the above interview "Has consolidation led to an increase in the amount of indecent programming." The answer is NO. The increase in the amount of 'indecent' programming is because it gets ratings. Television stations are worried about the same thing that every other kind of company is worried about: Money. The way television stations make money (I don't mean to insult you, I'm sure you know this) is through ad sponsors. Advertisers look at ratings to figure out what programming they want to put their money into. Whatever gets the ratings, get the ads (money).
I am quite sure that CBS made a ridiculous amount of money for airing the Victoria Secret fashion show. Otherwise they would not have aired it. The reason that CBS made so much money is due to the great ratings I'm sure it received. Would people be watching this type of programming if they didn't want to?
You also brought up in your statement, "It's time for us to step up to the plate and tackle the wanton violence our kids are served up every day," This is not a censorship or an indecency issue. This is very much a social issue and unless the FCC has control over the parents of America then the FCC should stray from trying to teach Americans to be responsible parents.
When Hitler came to power he destroyed art and literature; and he took away free speech. The FCC also has the power to do those things. Do not let our WWII veterans think that what they fought so bravely against in Germany is being allowed here in America.
Please enforce laws, and when a crime is committed that is within the jurisdiction of the FCC, please punish those people involved, but do not take away freedom.
Thank You for you time,
U.S. Citizen
Sean Lory