The Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act (S.1780) was passed unanimously by the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this year and was intended to affirm the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to fine television and radio stations for airing a single word or image that might be considered indecent. This authority was recently challenged by two judges in New York City and without S.1780 the fines-increase bill Congress passed will likely be nullified.

The AFA tells us that not only have networks steadfastly refused to abide by federal laws prohibiting the broadcast of indecent material during times of day when children are likely to be watching television, they are actively working to overturn those laws even now in federal court on the absurd grounds that it should have the “right” to air the “F-word” and “S-word” during prime time. Without S.1780, television programming will become an open sewer for virtually all hours of the day.

The consensus is that S.1780 will pass if we can get it to the full Senate for a vote but is currently stalled in committee and will die unless you act today. Senators Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, co-sponsored this good legislation to restore regulation of sex, profanity and violence on broadcast TV but now they are dragging their feet.

It couldn’t be clearer that the broadcast networks are irresponsible stewards of the public airwaves and the FCC needs passage of S.1780 to have the authority to reel them in. Senators Stevens and Inouye must be held accountable and bring the Broadcast Indecency issue to the Senate floor for a full vote.

Take Action! The AFA needs our help today to get this bill moving.

Please call Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) at 202-224-3934 and Ranking Member Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) at 202-224-3004 and politely but firmly tell them you are holding them responsible to protect children from indecent programming by allowing a full Senate vote on S.1780 before they adjourn for Christmas in a couple of weeks.

Remember, Senators Inouye and Stevens have the ability to let this bill be voted on or to kill it by inaction. They need to uphold their responsibility to protect children and stand up for the appropriate use of the public airwaves.