FCC Copps unfazed with zero fines in 05

Friday, Jan. 20, 2006
Michael Copps Unfazed By Lack Of Indecency Fines

While the agency's Enforcement Bureau didn't levy a single indecency fine last year, the FCC Commissioner tells R&R he's pleased with the bureau's efforts. "We've been very active on the indecency front, and I'm not at all worried that we're losing our focus," he said after today's FCC meeting, during which the heads of each FCC bureau briefed the commissioners on their divisions' efforts in 2005 and plans for the year ahead.
In fact, Copps hinted that broadcast indecency could move back to the forefront of the Enforcement Bureau's agenda before long. "I think we'll be seeing some action before long," he said.
Though no indecency fines were issued last year, Enforcement Bureau Chief Kris Monteith noted that her bureau has been busy in other areas: Last year it investigated more than 200 complaints concerning pirate broadcasters and conducted 500 inspections of radio stations for compliance with the agency's main studio and public-inspection files.
She also pointed out that her bureau extended the Emergency Alert System rules to satellite radio and other digital services last year.