The law would mean that stations would be on the hook for $325,000 per infraction. Recent passage of the bill by a House vote of 379-35 was the end of a long legislative process.
An earlier House indecency bill would have raised fines to $500,000 for stations as well as tagging monetary damages on individual artists and performers. Representatives for actors unions AFTRA and SAG said the modified bill was lesser of two evils - especially as it still gives artists' freedom of expression.
FCC chairman Kevin J. Martin, who has preached a hard line on indecency, hailed the vote. The National Association of Broadcasters reasserted its position that programming content should be self-regulated by the industry.
It is expected the Big 4 broadcast networks will challenge the FCC's indecency authority in court later this year.
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