How does South Park get away with using words such as S#@!, T!@$, C*@%S*#%$!, et!
Question:
How does South Park get away with using words such as S#@!, T!@$, C*@%S*#%$!, etc....on basic cable?????
How do they get away with it when no other shows can???
Especially the "S" word. Whats up with that?
Answers: Currently, FCC decency regulations do not apply to cable and satellite tv. Most cable stations, however, adhere to them because during the day and in prime time, children can be/are watching. But you will notice that on late night cable, you can find some uncensored programming. For example, Comedy Central shows late night uncensored movies like South Park and Sarah Silverman:Jesus is Magic. The S word was because NETWORK TV got away with it. That was what REALLY started them doing it. Also it is about the TIME that the show is on. The rules on Cable are MORE RELAXED, but after like 10 they can say basically anything. B/c it's cable and while most stations don't allow that b/c of the advertisers, its perfectly legal b/c you are essentially paying for cable. I looked into this one time. Not about South Park, but about something else being shown on basic cable.
According to the FCC, between the hours of 10pm and 6am they can pretty much show what they want. Between 6am and 10pm they have to censor.
The Law
What are the statutes and rules regarding the broadcast of obscene, indecent, and profane programming? Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1464, prohibits the utterance of “any obscene, indecent or profane language by means of radio communication.” Consistent with a subsequent statute and court case, the Commission's rules prohibit the broadcast of indecent material during the period of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. FCC decisions also prohibit the broadcast of profane material between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Civil enforcement of these requirements rests with the FCC, and is an important part of the FCC's overall responsibilities. At the same time, the FCC must be mindful of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 326 of the Communications Act, which prohibit the FCC from censoring program material, or interfering with broadcasters' free speech rights.