Too Profane to Mention?

Ernie Miller points out that after having revived the doctrine of broadcast profanity with great fanfare this year, the FCC seems to be backing away from it. The FCC's recent consent decree with Clear Channel makes no reference to profane language, it only restricts obscene and indecent broadcasts. And in case you are wondering, that's not because nothing broadcast by Clear Channel was profane under the FCC's new definition.

Ernie is not sure whether the FCC has abandoned its new profanity doctrine or whether they plan to spring it again on some other broadcaster for thinly disguised political reasons. I'd like to believe that they are quietly backing away from what was, quite simply, a terrible idea.