TIME FOR AN FCC CRACKDOWN

    A couple of recent stories prominently covered by several blogs have demonstrated that the Corporate Media has reached levels of irresponsibility that need to be addressed officially. This is beyond the scope of their usual fake news and propaganda; but are in actual violation of Federal broadcasting guidelines.

     One example making the rounds of the Internet today concerns CNN pundit Fareed Zakaria who---in a spasm of Trump Derangement Syndrome---lost control of himself during an interview with Don Lemon. Zakaria reeled a string of half-dozen profanities in less than one minute.

     While this may be typical behavior for Liberals in public venues, the Federal Communications Commission states on its own website that "Profane content includes 'grossly offensive' language that is considered a public nuisance...Indecent or profane content are prohibited on broadcast television and radio between 6 AM and 10 PM where there is a reasonable risk that children may be watching. Because obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment, it is prohibited on cable, satellite, and broadcast television and radio."

      According to new FCC guidelines, violations of such rules are punishable by monetary fines per profane utterance, rather than a lump sum. Maybe getting CNN to fork over some fines will teach their employees some civilized behavior.

      The other flagrant example last week came from MSNBC where Rachel Maddow brought out President Trump's 2005 tax return. Trump's tax burden is an issue with which the Left is completely obsessed---for no apparent reason. The President released a message later that the tax return was obtained by MSNBC illegally.

     "Violation of the terms of a broadcast license due to technical fault or illegal content may result in fines or revocation of the license." the FCC explains, "The FCC has the authority to issue civil monetary penalties, revoke a license, or deny a renewal application. In addition, violators of the law---if convicted in a Federal Court---are subject to criminal fines and imprisonment for not more than two years."

      Some might object that this is censorship, but it is simple enforcement of the law to ensure civilized and legal behavior from the press. Yes, some will say, but what about whistleblowers like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden? The answer is in the intention. Assange and Snowden broke the law to expose illegal activities by political officials. Zakaria and Maddow acted from a desire to shock and offend---and neither exposed anything of politically or socially redeeming value. It is a matter of whether or not the action was in the public interest.

        It is in the public interest to encourage investigative reporting and transparency; it is not in the public interest to condone profanity-laden diatribes and illegally obtained personal data being broadcast. CNN and MSNBC need to be punished; or this kind of behavior will continue to happen. Zakaria should cough up a substantial part of his $4 million net worth in fines; MSNBC is facing a more serious fate should it happen that Trump's tax returns were in fact illegally obtained.

       At any rate, it's time for the FCC to step up to the plate and smack down some arrogant elites who believe themselves above the law.