What the BLEEP?!

The scholarly article “What the [Bleep]?!” from New York Magazine is tangential to “Freedom’s Curse” from The Atlantic because it describes how the Federal Communications City (FCC) is trying to control what words should be ‘bleeped’ on the air and what is okay. The author, Kurt Anderson, explains a lot of the same things that Mike Byers does in the article such as the fact that the FCC did not punish NBC network for foul language and indecency in Bono’s acceptance speech: “This is really, really fucking brilliant.” Like Byers, Anderson also explained that it depends how the dirty word is used in a sentence (according to the government, not himself). Going on to explain other things besides bad language, the article talks about Janet Jackson’s nipple flash at the Super Bowl. Anderson talks about both sides and wonders himself if the FCC is becoming too involved in TV regulation.

The two articles explain a lot of the same things. Both articles mentioned that the FCC claimed that any use or variation of the word “fuck” will always refer back to sexual images. “What the [Bleep]?!” focuses more on how the FCC wants to fine television shows, such as South Park but it still being debated. I think that the main concern is young children watching daytime programs that have profanity; will it really negatively affect how the child will behave? Ultimately, kids will someway kind a way to explore the internet and see/hear profanity or talk to other children who may have learned profanity just by being in their home. This idea was brought up in both articles as well; it’s inevitable and I think that even though it’s the FCC’s job to watch what gets thrown out in the public’s eye, there are much more important things to worry about.

Article URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1062701771&sid=5&Fmt=3&clientId=18133&RQT=309&VName=PQD