Is a mere fine enough?

In Cheryl Howard's article Airwaves echo sounds of indecency, he states his opinion that fines for broadcast indecency is “merely a slap on the wrist” and that certain broadcasts are violating the privacies of the American people. He feels that more strict penalties are needed in order to bring an end to broadcast indecency, as he says, “Yes, the first amendment was written to ensure that no governmental body shall pass any law abridging freedom of speech, forbidding censorship. But there should be some limitations to freedom of speech. Limitations should be mandated when such freedoms impose and invade the rights and privacies of the public….. Broadcasters are to be held accountable for what they air. When licensing renewal time comes around, the FCC has the authority to renew or suspend a broadcasters license…. We, the people, have a right to turn on our radios and not be subjected to deliberate violations of public decency.”

I was somewhat surprised to find that there were not many opinion articles on broadcast indecency. I did come across one though where the opinion it encompasses is somewhat similar to my own. I felt that this was a good article to review because the author seems well informed on the topic, his opinion is not too radical and he observes both sides of the broadcast indecency controversy.