Federal law states that broadcasters must refrain from airing indecent content, such as foul language or graphic sexuality, between the safe harbor hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. If you encounter content on TV or the radio that you believe violates the law, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.
To do so, go to the Web site www.fcc.gov and look for the obscenity/indecency link at the bottom of the left-hand navigation bar. This will take you to a page that explains the law and how to file a complaint. There is also a link to an online complaint form where you can easily register your concern.
The importance of filing a complaint cannot be overstated. Until more than half a million Americans complained about a raunchy Super Bowl halftime show, the FCC was not very responsive to citizen complaints. This outpouring of outrage prompted the agency to take action and it has been serious about fighting broadcast indecency ever since. Citizens play an essential role in making sure the airwaves stay clean.
