Radio censorship crosses a line
Elliott Greisen | Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Opinion
Britney Spears single "If U Seek Amy" has brought with it a tornado of condemnation from the Parents Television Council (PTC).
"But all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy." This is the line that the PTC has their collective panties in a twist about. Now if you are as slow as I am you will look at the line and say "what's wrong with that?" Well when the last part of the line, "If u seek Amy," is said aloud it sound like Britney is spelling out the f-word and then saying me.
The PTC is claiming that that this violates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadcast indecency law and therefore should not be aired during safe harbor, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., unedited. This is a load of crap. The FCC's web site states that material is indecent "If, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standerds for the broadcast medium."
The FCC goes on to give their three-step checklist for indecent material. "1) Whether the description or depiction is explicit or graphic." Well Britney's song is neither explicit nor graphic so no problem there. "2) Whether the material dwells on or repeats at length descriptions or depictions of sexual or excretory organs." I believe the line is repeated about eight times in the song so no excessive use here. "3) Whether the material appears to pander or is used to titillate or shock." Once again I think Britney passes this element as well. There is no reason this song should be edited based on the rules set forth by the FCC and when compared to other songs that are far more blatant in their disdain for the FCC rules, this is a mild song.
50 Cent in his song "Candy Shop" says "Ill take you to the candy shop/ I'll let you lick the thelollipop." Let me guess, does he mean an actual lollipop? He goes on to say, "Go 'head girl, don't stop 'til you hit the spot." I don't think this set of lyrics needs to be explained. Unlike Britney's song, we all know what he is talking about, yet no one complains that this song should be edited down or only played after safe harbor.
"But all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy." This is the line that the PTC has their collective panties in a twist about. Now if you are as slow as I am you will look at the line and say "what's wrong with that?" Well when the last part of the line, "If u seek Amy," is said aloud it sound like Britney is spelling out the f-word and then saying me.
The PTC is claiming that that this violates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadcast indecency law and therefore should not be aired during safe harbor, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., unedited. This is a load of crap. The FCC's web site states that material is indecent "If, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standerds for the broadcast medium."
The FCC goes on to give their three-step checklist for indecent material. "1) Whether the description or depiction is explicit or graphic." Well Britney's song is neither explicit nor graphic so no problem there. "2) Whether the material dwells on or repeats at length descriptions or depictions of sexual or excretory organs." I believe the line is repeated about eight times in the song so no excessive use here. "3) Whether the material appears to pander or is used to titillate or shock." Once again I think Britney passes this element as well. There is no reason this song should be edited based on the rules set forth by the FCC and when compared to other songs that are far more blatant in their disdain for the FCC rules, this is a mild song.
50 Cent in his song "Candy Shop" says "Ill take you to the candy shop/ I'll let you lick the thelollipop." Let me guess, does he mean an actual lollipop? He goes on to say, "Go 'head girl, don't stop 'til you hit the spot." I don't think this set of lyrics needs to be explained. Unlike Britney's song, we all know what he is talking about, yet no one complains that this song should be edited down or only played after safe harbor.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
marc
posted 2/18/09 @ 4:10 PM PST
Seems to me that you have to choose how you are going to argue. If you are going to argue using the standard, then it's meaningless if other songs have passed the standard or not. (Continued…)
Ron C.
Ron
posted 9/25/09 @ 10:24 AM PST
Ian, I totally agree with your point. Your arguments don't work because I don't believe you understand exactly how ridiculous the bureaucracy is. They make legislation which explains X,Y,Z. (Continued…)
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