FCC Indecency Quiz

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FCC Indecency Quiz

by John Crigler

Test your knowledge on FCC regulations!
Passing this FCC Indecency test is a requirement for being cleared for a show on WBCR-lp.

There is a lot at stake for our small station: FCC maximum fine for a single violation is $325,000 for each violation, or up to a maximum of $3,000,000 for a "continuing" violation.

John Crigler is a member of the Communications and Information Technology Group at the law firm of Garvey Schubert Barer. He can be reached at (202) 965-7880 or jcrigler@gsblaw.com. The material presented here is intended solely for informational purposes and is of a general nature that cannot be regarded as legal advice. Please consult a communications attorney if you have specific questions about law.

© 2006 Garvey Schubert Barer. All rights reserved.

Email *

Your Name *

Name of your show *

1. Some words are profane regardless of context. *

1 point

True

False

2. “Poop,” “penis,” “ass,” “kiss my ass,” “bastard,” “bitch,” “dick,” “dickhead,” “pissed –off,” and “booty” are not indecent. *

1 point

True

False

3. Stations that air the same programs at the same time will be treated in the same way. *

1 point

True

False

4. Words that cannot be understood by the average listener may nonetheless be indecent. *

1 point

True

False

5. Indecency counts even if it is broadcast by mistake. *

1 point

True

False

6. Profanity is just another word for indecency. *

1 point

True

False

7. A program may be indecent even if no one is listening. *

1 point

True

False

8. Local community values determine whether a broadcast is indecent. *

1 point

True

False

9. Song titles are exempt from indecency prosecution. *

1 point

True

False

10. There is a limited exemption for classic songs and great literary works. *

1 point

True

False

11. The FCC exempts bona fide news events and documentaries from its indecency policy. *

1 point

True

False

12. The FCC distinguishes between commercial and noncommercial stations, just as listeners do. *

1 point

True

False

13. The FCC distinguishes between the broadcast of live and recorded material. *

1 point

True

False

14. Vile racial epithets and blasphemous religious slurs are profane. *

1 point

True

False

15. Under the Communications Act, air talent cannot be personally fined for indecent speech. *

1 point

True

False

16. If a listener is upset about an off-color joke on the air, the station must report the complaint to the FCC. Under the Communications Act, air talent cannot be personally fined for indecent speech. *

1 point

True

False

17. A station won’t be fined if it bleeps or pixilates indecent material. *

1 point

True

False

18. The FCC will not allow indecency complaints to be used as a form of harassment. *

1 point

True

False

19. The FCC will excuse exclamations uttered by winners on a live call-in contest line, such as “Holy shit! I won!” *

1 point

True

False

20. Some of the infamous Seven Dirty Words are now so commonplace that they are no longer considered indecent. *

1 point

True

False

21. If one program contains six different indecent “utterances,” the FCC will consider fining the station for six violations, not just one. *

1 point

True

False

22. Even FCC Commissioners have a sense of humor. *

1 point

True

False

A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.

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This form was created inside of Berkshire Community Radio Alliance.