Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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FCC proposes $1.2 million fine against Fox for TV indecency By LAURA MECKLER ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER WASHINGTON — Federal regulators proposed a record indecency fine of nearly $1.2 million Tuesday against Fox Broadcasting Co. for an episode of its reality series “Married by America” that included graphic scenes from bachelor and bachelorette parties. The Federal Communications Commission said the material, which featured male and female Las Vegas strippers in a variety of sexual situations, was indecent and patently offensive, intended to “pander to and titillate the audience.” FCC commissioners voted unanimously to fine each of the 169 Fox TV stations that aired the program $7,000. Fox has 30 days to appeal the fines, which total $1,183,000. The fine is the most ever for a television broadcaster. The previous record of $550,000 was levied against CBS last month for the Super Bowl halftime show last February that included a racy duet in which singer Janet Jackson’s breast was briefly exposed. It’s also the first indecency fine against a reality television show, though other complaints are being investigated, the FCC said. A spokesman for Fox Broadcasting Co., Joe Earley, would not say whether the network planned to appeal. The six-episode “Married by America,” which got dismal ratings, introduced a cast of single men and women and allowed viewers to match them up by popular vote. Five matched couples then went through some of the rituals of dating. None actually got married. The episode in question, which aired April 7, 2003, featured explicitly sexual scenes from their bachelor and bachelorette parties. “Even with Fox’s editing, the episode includes scenes in which partygoers lick whipped cream from strippers’ bodies in a sexually suggestive manner,” the FCC said. “Another scene features a man on all fours in his underwear as two female strippers spank him. Although the episode electronically obscures any nudity, the sexual nature of the scenes is inescapable.” Following the broadcast, the commission received 159 complaints. “Although the nudity was pixilated, even a child would have known that the strippers were topless and that sexual activity was being shown,” the FCC said. Federal law bars radio and non-cable television stations from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The Fox show aired at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., depending on the city. Stern has been repeatedly fined by the FCC. He announced last week that in 2006 he would move his show to satellite radio, which is not subject to federal indecency rules. ■ FAIR Continued from page 1 security wouldn’t help because the shootings took place outside the fairgrounds. “Although we know this may hurt our attendance and increase our cost, our first priority is the safety of our patrons,” Goodman said in the news release. Despite the shootings, Rivers said she felt safe while attending the fair. “I would still go back to the fair, but maybe not at night and not alone,” she said. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocbiews@gwm.sc. edu Wi The University Studies Abroad Consortium, with programs in 24 countries, allows students to master languages and study disciplines — including business, fine arts and history — at distinguished, overseas schools. Soak up the vibrant culture and be transformed by the experience of living in a foreign land. • Summer, semester and yearlong programs • Wide range of academic courses • Internships • Language classes at all levels • Field trips and tours • Small classes • University credit • Scholarships • Housing IIDLJSAC^ RHA Senate asks for mold prevention Senator says fungus making Patterson residents ill, but none have reported to health center By JACOB DAVIS STAFF WRITER The RHA Senate passed legislation Tuesday urging USC Housing to address mold problems on campus and announced its representatives for its first conference of2004. Executive committee member Terrill Wilkins supported the legislation. After meeting with a resident in the Patterson dorm, Wilkins said the mold problem became especially apparent. “We need to pass this legislation to make our case to housing. At our meeting at Patterson, we talked to probably 16 girls, and 10 of them said they thought mold had made them sick,” said Wilkins, head of the Housing and Campus Concerns Committee. Wilkins said that despite their illness, none of the girls had reported the problem to the health center. He encouraged senators to make sure their residents take advantage of the health center because otherwise accurate records of illnesses on campus cannot be kept. The senate passed resolution by unanimous vote. Sen. Patrick Walsh of Macbryde brought another piece of legislation that received unanimous consent: recognition of the USC First Responders, a quick-response group that cares for injured students on campus, as an RHA affiliate group. RHA’s National Communications Coordinator Emanuel Thomason also announced the members of the delegation who USC’s RHA will send to the 2004 SAACURH Conference. Dan Chassen, head of the Community Services Committee, also encouraged senators to get their residents to vote for Cocky in the national mascot challenge. Cocky is once again up for national mascot of the year, and students can go to www.capitalonebowl.com to vote for him. The Residence Hall Association Senate will meet again Tuesday in Calcott Oil. For more information, visit the RHA Web site at www.housing.sc.edu/rha. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockneTvs@gwm.sc.edu ■ IRAQ Continued from page 1 ruined in Saddam’s time.” - Ramadan “The United States didn’t have enough troops in Iraq immediately following the ouster of Saddam Hussein and ‘paid a big price’ for it,” the former head of the U.S. occupation in Iraq said Monday. L. Paul Bremer said he arrived in Iraq on May 6, 2003 to find “horrid” looting and a very unstable situation. - AP Report Comments on this story ? E-mail gamecocknevis@givm.se. edu i- i % I Ik , , . _■■■■-. lrr[.... ... . . ....... . . .. ...... ^ _ . .. .. . .. I I I Getting ready for Midterms? Have a lot of studying to do? I I viSfe Check out the Thomas Cooper Library!! lip I4 | Unsure about the hours, or want to see them changed? I 1 The Student Governement Academics Commitee... 11 Will be sponsoring a survey on library hours and usage during the last week of October. Look for ■ W surveys online in the Russell House or by the library and share your opinion. ■ We are interested in working to help th students get the most from the library at the times that they ■B need it. Check us out and let us know your thoughts. A