Tell the Senate: Don't Fine Performers

On February 17, H.R. 310, “The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005,” passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 389-38. This bill eliminates existing warnings and allows the FCC to assess half million-dollar ($500,000) fines against both licensees and individual performers for each and every utterance deemed “indecent.” The FCC’s standard for indecency, however, remains unclear at best and arbitrary at worst.

Now, the Senate is poised to take up legislation that addresses indecency. The AFM’s position is that fining individual performers at the same rate as media conglomerates is inherently unfair, that the impact that such huge fines will have on free speech and artistic expression is detrimental and the fining of individuals rather than broadcast licensees is unprecedented. You can help us make this message as clearly as possible by taking action and contacting your senators to let them know that the House bill will be detrimental to professional musicians across the country.