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 FCC NEWS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500
TTY 202/418-2555
Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830
Internet http://www.fcc.gov
ftp://ftp.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission Action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 516 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 April 6, 2001
 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
 John Winston (202) 418-7450



FCC RELEASES POLICY STATEMENT PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO BROADCASTERS REGARDING INDECENCY STATUTE

Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission today issued a Policy Statement to provide guidance to broadcast licensees regarding compliance with the Commission's case law interpreting the broadcast indecency statute.

The Policy Statement discusses the statutory basis for, and judicial history of, indecency regulation; describes the analytical approach the Commission uses in making broadcast indecency determinations (including comparisons of selected rulings); discusses the Commission's case law interpreting 18 U.S.C. Section 1464 and its own regulations; and describes the Commission's broadcast indecency enforcement process.

The Commission issued the Policy Statement pursuant to a settlement agreement in a federal district court case.

The text of the Policy Statement is available on the FCC Enforcement Bureau website at www.fcc.gov/eb.

Action by the Commission: March 14, 2001 (FCC 01-90). Chairman Powell and Commissioners Ness and Furchtgott-Roth with Commissioner Tristani dissenting; Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth and Tristani issuing separate statements.

-FCC-

Enforcement Bureau contacts: John Winston at (202) 418-7450 and Lisa M. Fowlkes at (202) 418-7450