[LUconn]

Answer me this:

I have the right to free speech. If I am out on the street, I can say whatever I want, with certain, but very few, exceptions (obviously can't create a panic for no reason, stuff like that). If I'm on that same street I could do that with a megaphone, reaching more people. As long as I'm not breaking volume ordinances, of course. But if somebody swaps that out to a a mic that is broadcasting to radios everywhere, suddenly the government can restrict it. How do they have this power? What makes broadcasting on airwaves different than broadcasting with my voice, in the government restriction sense? I'm sure this was covered in Comms 102 or something.

[Fumblerooskies]

Because the government regulates the airwaves.

[LUconn]

I know, but why do they have this power? Does it make sense to have them regulate that but not what I say in public?

[ATrain]

Because the government regulates the airwaves.

However, this regulation only goes so far. Basically, they can't stop you saying anything except that which is "obscene" b/c its not protected by the First Amendment according to several court rulings.

[Cider Jim]

You need to watch the Bull Horn Guy video in the Numa series by Rob Bell.

[belcherboy]

I believe a lot of the regulation started with the "War of the Worlds" broadcast in the 20's (or maybe early 30's). IIRC It was set up to protect the public from being misinformed enough to cause a nation wide panic. Obscenity is now included, but I think the regulations were basically set up to stop malicious misinformation. With no TV and Internet back 75 years ago, it was important that they protected the public from this. That has always been my understanding so I'm not sure how accurate that is. Perhaps it is not as necessary anymore. I do like the fact that they keep obscene things from the airwaves though. XM or Sirius are a great alternative if you want more adult things things.

[RagingTireFire]

The FCC was originally started to regulate the partition of airwaves, not its content. When radio first got off the ground, there were all kinds of stations broadcasting all kinds of signals and they were interfering with each other. The FCC was created to make broadcasting an orderly process. The FCC regulates broadcasting content b/c they are the agency responsible for the airwaves and FCC standards are, in reality, nothing more than what used to be known as "public decency laws" that every community in the country already had in place.

[Fumblerooskies]

to add to RTF...since the FCC regulates the licenses...they can regulate content, as well. Congress has given them that power.

[Ed Dantes]

You can't make your own radio station, because that would run amok of the law. The fact is that radio stations and TV stations and emergency personnel all use the airwaves (radio frequencies make up a small part of that spectrum, as do emergency personnel, although it is a different part of the spectrum). If you make your own, you could interfere with not just other radio stations, but people whose livelihood depends on the radio spectrum.

Because there is a finite number of radio frequencies available, the FCC awards them because it feels that the particular station serves the public interest, whether it be through entertainment or education. Licenses for these stations are reviewed and renewed every seven years.

The justification for censoring radio airwaves is predicated on the notion that there is a certain responsibility that every radio and TV station is entrusted with, and so-called obscene programming violates that responsibility.

[ATrain]

to add to RTF...since the FCC regulates the licenses...they can regulate content, as well. Congress has given them that power.

True, but only to a certain extent...the FCC can't tell a station to play only rock or classical music.

[Rocketfan]

to add to RTF...since the FCC regulates the licenses...they can regulate content, as well. Congress has given them that power.

True, but only to a certain extent...the FCC can't tell a station to play only rock or classical music.

No but i believe you have to apply to for that transmitters and tell them what format you are going to push....i believe they can from that regulate to make sure there is a variety.

[RagingTireFire]

to add to RTF...since the FCC regulates the licenses...they can regulate content, as well. Congress has given them that power.

True, but only to a certain extent...the FCC can't tell a station to play only rock or classical music.

No but i believe you have to apply to for that transmitters and tell them what format you are going to push....i believe they can from that regulate to make sure there is a variety.

Incorrect. The FCC does not regulate format.