Should the FCC be able to censor Satellite Radio?

**Richard1** · December 20th, 2004, 11:58 AM

Hello All,
Satellite Radio has recently been in the news regarding the FCC's desire to censor this new medium.
Just to make sure everyone is clear on the specifics. XM and Sirius are both paid services. You must have a credit card to order XM or Sirius, so logic would dictate that only people 18 or older would be able to go out and purchase these items. Not to mention the enormous startup cost.

Just wanted to hear the communities thoughts on this issue.

**Archer** · December 20th, 2004, 12:10 PM

Well even encrypted adult channels aired in the UK are governed by censorship laws so in that sense the answer would be that it already happens.

**WebHead** · December 20th, 2004, 12:30 PM

I say definitely not. There can be parental controls setup on the service itself, but the government should not interfere.

**pmetal** · December 20th, 2004, 12:31 PM

He!!z no.

That is all.

**Richard1** · December 20th, 2004, 12:35 PM

I understand what you are saying Archer, I was primarily speaking about America although I should have thought a little broader. What I meant was in America right now the FCC is really cracking down on regular radio leveeing millions in fine. If I'm to understand their point they would like to have the same rules apply for Satellite rado.

**Ya_know** · December 20th, 2004, 12:37 PM

Agreed with Webbie. A parental control, some form of password protection against the uncensored channels, should be provided. As long as that’s in place, I want to be able to hear Eddie Murphy RAW on one of those stations!!!

**WebHead** · December 20th, 2004, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Richard1

I understand what you are saying Archer, I was primarily speaking about America although I should have thought a little broader. What I meant was in America right now the FCC is really cracking down on regular radio leveeing millions in fine. If I'm to understand their point they would like to have the same rules apply for Satellite rado.

It would be pointless to pay for a service that is censored though. I already get service like that for free on the FM and AM bands.

**meatwad** · December 20th, 2004, 01:42 PM

Would this law regulate the airing of barely legal hardcore pornography?

**Rifleman @ Layman's PC** · December 20th, 2004, 02:21 PM

I'm not voting cause there's no proper choice for me. I think it should fall under the same censorship laws as anything else broadcast in the US.

I'm one who thinks people are getting a bit ridiculous with what they wanna call "entertainment".

Dunno why I replied to this, it has nothing to do with drivers :/

**hudsonsmith** · December 20th, 2004, 02:40 PM

Don't know if government is the way to go, but I think it needs to be treated the way HBO is treated. Its a pay service, and the standards are looser than on broadcast and basic cable. Nevertheless, certain programming is restricted to after 9PM, after 11PM, etc. I suppose parental controls are a possibility as well.

**Stalemate** · December 20th, 2004, 03:25 PM

Even if I'm paying for a service, there are some things which are still construed as not protected under the right to free speech (hatemongering, promoting child abuse, false or intentionally misdirecting information, etc...) and still think these should be censored out of the airwaves regardless.

**CeeBee** · December 20th, 2004, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by hudsonsmith

Don't know if government is the way to go, but I think it needs to be treated the way HBO is treated. Its a pay service, and the standards are looser than on broadcast and basic cable. Nevertheless, certain programming is restricted to after 9PM, after 11PM, etc. I suppose parental controls are a possibility as well.

Adult channels are not subject to this (neither on-demand services), so why set a limit when a precedent exists? If it's a paid service I want to get what I want whenever I want. If someone thinks certain material is not "proper" for listening/viewing at a certain hour, then the solution is simple: switch the channel.

**WebHead** · December 20th, 2004, 04:11 PM

If the FCC starts censoring the content of paid satellite radio subscriptions, then they should do the same with Hustler magazine. Same exact thing.

**Ya_know** · December 20th, 2004, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by WebHead

If the FCC starts censoring the content of paid satellite radio subscriptions, then they should do the same with Hustler magazine. Same exact thing.

And to the Internet. I still don't undrestand how it's not possible to police that stuff...it's free access to all, and some of that crap eating stuff needs to be stopped!