WASHINGTON -- The government's power to punish broadcasters for indecent programming of that kind as the 2004 Super beaker "wardrobe malfunction" would increase tenfold in a less degree than legislation Congress is ready to approve.

The House upon Tuesday began debating the Senate-passed bill that would boost the top fines the Federal Communications Commission could impose onward broadcasters from the current $32500 to $325000 for each violation. A devoted was scheduled for this afternoon.

The bill, said Rep Fr Upton (R-Mich.), will "help make secure American families that broadcast television and radio programming will be emancipated of indecency, obscenity [and] profanity at times when their children are likely to be tuning in."

The legislation, count uponed to be signed by President Bush, is another offshoot of Janet Jackson's breast-revealing incident at the Super goblet that has made the FCC more aggressive in cracking down upon indecent and obscene material onward TV and radio airwaves and in deflect has prompted broadcasters to be more cautious in the material they air.

"It is something that should have passed brace years ago," said L. brant Bozell, president of the watchdog form into groups Parents Television Council. "The $32500 fine did not make them think twice about doing anything," he said.

BROADCASTERS WANT SELF-POLICING

on the contrary Jim Dyke, executive director of TV Watch, an interest dispose that opposes government regulation of television programming, said families already have the information povertyed to make informed decisions about what they watch. "Asking the dominion to take on the character of parents is not just bad public policy, it's unnecessary."

The legislation, sponsored in the Senate by way of Sen. Sam Brownback (R- Kan.), does not address issues like as the definition of indecent material and does not apply to cable or satellite radio and TV It is also not as tough as a version the House passed last year that would have increased the maximum fine to $500000 allowed fines for individual performers and given the FCC the authority to repeal the licenses of broadcasters fined three or more times.

The National Association of Broadcasters said it would count more desirable to see the nation's 13000 radio stations and 1700 TV stations police themselves. "The NAB position is that we think responsible self- regulation is preferable to command regulation in areas of program content" said spokesman Dennis Wharton.

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