Indecency Fines Against CBS Are an Ominous Attack on Free Speech
By David Holcberg

The $3.6 million in "indecency" fines levied by the FCC against CBS are an ominous attack on the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment.

Just as the government doesn't fine newspapers that publish cartoons that Muslims deem indecent, it shouldn't fine broadcasters that air shows that viewers deem indecent. Viewers are free to change the channel or turn off their TV set if they do not like what they see. They can't be forced to patronize a station they find indecent.

Moreover, it is the parents--not the government--who should be responsible for determining what their children are allowed to watch on TV.

  
All active news articles

Web site design by Michael Chiavaroli & Associates. Please report technical issues to webmaster@aynrand.org.

Copyright © 1995–2013 Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. The Ayn Rand Center is a division of the Ayn Rand Institute. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand Bookstore are operated by the Ayn Rand Institute. Payments made to Objectivist Conferences or to the Ayn Rand Bookstore do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute.