Television stations must run, but may reschedule, graphic anti-abortion political advertisements

Article Abstract:

A US Federal Communication (FCC) ruling, In the Matter of Petition for Declaratory Ruling Concerning Section 312(a)(7) of the Communications Act, has established that television stations must broadcast the graphic pro-life advertisements of candidates for public office. The FCC will allow stations to air the commercials at times when children are not likely to be watching, but they must air a percentage of them when a broad audience is watching. The FCC noted that restrictions on the time when such spots are aired can only be based on graphic nature and not political content.

Equal time rule (Broadcasting)

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Broadcasters cannot bump graphic political ads

Article Abstract:

The US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in Becker v. FCC that a Federal Communications Commission order allowing a television station to channel graphic political advertisements violated First Amendment political speech rights. The FCC had stated that the station could decide when to run the anti-abortion ads to minimize harm to children that may be viewing. The Court found that this action would violate no-censorship rules that were established to ensure that political advertisers had access to time slots with the maximum number of viewers.

Censorship

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Stations forced to air graphic political ads

Article Abstract:

The FCC has been confronted with a dilemma over political ads by pro-life candidates which depict dead fetuses. The Communications Act states that candidates have the right to air political ads uncensored and broadcasters must air them. However, the FCC has guidelines for the broadcasting of material considered indecent. The agency has not ruled any of the ads indecent or allowed any broadcaster to refuse to air them, but it has permitted broadcasters to run disclaimers and it is beginning to respond to complaints.

Television broadcasting policy, Obscenity (Law), Obscenity

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