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Last Updated: Wednesday, 26 January, 2005, 12:04 GMT
US 'to raise TV indecency fines'
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake
Jackson Super Bowl routine has gone down in TV history
US politicians are proposing a tough new law aimed at cracking down on indecency and bad language on US TV.

Fines of up to $500,000 (£266,582) could be imposed each time broadcasters transmit nudity or profanities.

The proposal, unveiled in the House of Representatives, also seeks to revoke a broadcaster's licence after three violations have been committed.

The exposure of Janet Jackson's breast at last year's Superbowl landed CBS with a $550,000 (£293,264) fine.

Entertainers could also be liable for fines under the proposed legisation from both US politcians and officials from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

A Republican senator from Kansas, Sam Brownbeck, is set to call for a maximum $3 million (£1.6 million) fine for repeated violations.

Deterrent

The current maximum fine stands at $32,500 (£17,320) - 20 of the stations in the CBS network were each penalised these lesser amounts for the Jackson incident.

Republican politician Fred Upton, who chairs the committee responsible for broadcasting, said current fines are "more of a cost of doing business rather than a deterrent".

Last year's Janet Jackson 'wardrobe malfunction' encouraged the FCC to impose tougher rules, but the US Congress adjourned last year without agreeing on a new level of fines.

New figures have to be decided before new legislation can be put before President Bush.

Certain broadcasters, like Fox, claim the material they carry does not violate indecency laws and is protected under the right to free speech.




SEE ALSO:
$550,000 fine for Janet exposure
23 Sep 04 |  TV and Radio
Janet Jackson flash 'accidental'
30 Mar 04 |  TV and Radio
'Shock jock' slams Janet backlash
27 Feb 04 |  TV and Radio
Politicians' fury at Janet flash
12 Feb 04 |  TV and Radio


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