Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Expletives


In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last Tuesday that the Federal Communications Commission may ban television broadcasters from airing “fleeting expletives.”

Rick Schatz, president and CEO of the National Coalition, says the ruling, which arose after Cher’s use of the f-word at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, is an encouraging development for pro-family advocates.

“We are happy with the reversal of the 2nd Circuit’s decision that the FCC ban was arbitrary,” said Schatz. “However, there is much more work to be done to create safe environments for our children as they watch television and interact with other forms of media.”

Research from the Rand Corporation indicates that exposure to sexualized language on television affects teen sexual behavior—teens act out not only what they see, but also what they hear.

Despite the positive news emanating from the Supreme Court’s opinion, the need for vigilance on the part of parents is the primary takeaway. A ban on “fleeting expletives” is no guarantee that programming content is appropriate for all children, and some legal analysts believe the real significance of the decision is that it will make it easier for federal agencies to change other regulatory policies in ways that are detrimental to children and families.

“Even with this new ruling, parents must continue to increase their diligence in monitoring their kids’ television consumption,” added Schatz. “And whenever possible, they must use teachable moments to help children develop their own critical thinking skills to determine the appropriateness of language and behavior.”