“Embattled” Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell is stepping down following the start of President Bush’s second term in office.
Why are the networks describing him as “embattled?”
Because shock-jock Howard Stern criticized him on the radio? Who saw thousands of protestors picketing in front of the FCC offices, criticizing his control of the FCC? Didn’t happen. How many lawsuits were filed against the FCC, charging that the First Amendment was being violated? Very few. How many pro-Janet Jackson letters came in? Not many.
No, he wasn’t embattled. All he tried to do was clean up the programming on radio and TV. He was criticized because the various radio and TV networks didn’t want to clean up their act. He was criticized because Stern’s sleazy show knew what the rules were, proceeded to stomp all over them, and in response the FCC sent Stern packing to satellite radio. And the now-infamous wardrobe malfunction? Yep. Sure.
So Powell should be praised for doing a good job and sharpening the teeth of the FCC.
There should be balance, but if the networks had their way, they’d continue lowering the standards of decency in favor of beating their competition. Strengthening the FCC was the only way to slam on the brakes so that people have a little more of a say in what the networks present on TV or how personalities say things on the radio. That's a major point; radio personalities can express their views, but HOW they express them is the issue.
A strong FCC is needed to punish the sleaze-mongers who break the rules and dare the FCC to do something about it.
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