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College Broadcasters Resource
Indecency and Obscenity

This is perhaps one of the most contentious topics in College Radio. Most stations have a policy concerning Indecency and obscenity. Some are liberal others are conservative (and if yours doesn't, now is the time to create one!). Which approach is right? Neither and both... it depends on your philosophy, knowledge of the rules and ability to defend your point of view. In some cases, your schools legal department will determine what you can and cannot put on the air. Most stations, however, do not have the luxury or necessarily want, the legal department to determine policy... Is this getting a little vague? I will try to give you a clearer picture, by using history and current cases. But we first go to the rules, which will raise more questions than they will answer! 

The FCC's published definitions 
NEW! The FCC has issued a policy statement on broadcast indecency (4/6/01). HTML PDF DOC

And even more recently, a non-commercial station (KBOO)has been issued a "Notice of Apparent Liability" for indencent material. See (html) (Word) for more details.

Forget the "Legalese", What does this really mean? 

Actual cases where the FCC has acted