[Sosfbay-discuss] Mind Control

[Wes Rolley]

As a jazz fan, I listen frequently to KCSM.(College of San Mateo)  
Looking for somethng there tonight. I noted the following on their WWW 
site.

*FCC PROPOSES $15,000 FINE FOR KCSM *The FCC has proposed to fine 
KCSM-TV $15,000 for broadcasting a PBS documentary produced by Martin 
Scorsese entitled "The Blues: Godfathers and Sons" on March 11, 2004, 
between the hours of 8:00-10:00 p.m. PT. In this installment of the 
acclaimed series documenting the birth and world-wide influence of the 
blues as a musical genre, interviews with artists and others in which 
they expressed their feelings of oppression by the music industry 
contained language that the FCC has determined to be "indecent." The 
language used was part of the context of the history of the blues as a 
respected art form and was not in any sense pandering or titillating. 
The FCC's ruling, however, improperly ignores the historical and 
artistic context of the film. As FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein 
correctly stated in his dissent from the ruling, "It is clear from a 
common sense viewing of the program that coarse language is a part of 
the culture of the individuals being portrayed. To accurately reflect 
their viewpoint and emotions about blues music requires airing of 
certain material that, if prohibited, would undercut the ability of the 
filmmaker to convey the reality of the subject of the documentary. . . 
The majority's decision today . . . is certain to strike fear in the 
hearts of news and documentary makers, and broadcasters that air them, 
which could chill the future expression of constitutionally protected 
speech."

The FCC's indecency rulings are required to be based on contemporary 
community standards. KCSM was not the only PBS station in the San 
Francisco Bay Area market to run this program, but it is the only 
station to be punished by the FCC. KCSM believes that the hallmarks of 
the Bay Area and its viewing audience are diversity, tolerance and an 
emphasis on understanding and encouraging the free expression of all 
points of view. The use of strong language in such expressions is 
tolerated by this audience if used appropriately in the context of the 
program. "Godfathers and Sons" clearly met that standard, as FCC 
Commissioner Adelstein recognized.

KCSM plans to contest this ruling.

Discuss this now in our online forum. 
<http://kcsm.suddenlaunch3.com/index.cgi>


-- 
Wes Rolley		 
17211 Quail Court	
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(408)778-3024

"Happiness is to be fully engaged in the activity that you believe in and, if you are very good at it, well that's a bonus." -- Henry Moore