Decent TV

First, it is important to state what Decent TV does NOT do, to avoid misunderstanding!

Decent TV is not currently involved with any issues pertaining to cable or satellite TV, only as to broadcast television. While this may change in the future, we believe that the fact that cable and satellite TV are only available in the homes of persons who subscribe to them, differentiate them from the "public place" that is the broadcast airwaves, which is essentially everywhere. Our work incidentally is towards also protecting children and unconsenting adults from unwanted broadcast (but not satellite) radio, since they would also be severely impacted and harmed if the courts were to strike down the Radio Communications Act and other legal restrictions on broadcast indecency.

Decent TV does not take a legal position on any individual television program, or content within a particular program. We do not try to determine whether, for example, a given program is "indecent" under the law, or not, or advocate such a position in court. We believe that is the job of the FCC and other organizations.

Now, here is what we do! Mostly through filing "amicus briefs", but also through providing consulting to the FCC and other organizations, Decent TV legally advocates for the current laws that restrict indecent broadcasting on TV and radio in the U.S. to nightime hours, to at least continue in place. "Amicus briefs" are commonly already referred to as "friend of the court" briefs (not to be confused with Friend of the Court offices that some state courts have for domestic relations issues). Federal courts can allow briefs to be filed by entities (organizations or individuals) that are not parties to the case, in order to advocate on an issue before the court in a case, especially issues of public interest.

With the broadcasters' current  legal assaults on the very existence of any laws to regulate indecency, Decent TV files amicus briefs in such court cases to support continuation of the laws enacted by the American citizens for their own protection from the broadcasters. There is no other organization in the United States dedicated to this purpose exclusively, and Decent TV since 2007 has taken on a leadership role on these specific decency issues. We have provided consulting, that has been welcomed by the FCC and other pro-decency and family nonprofit organizations. We have assisted other organizations with drafting their amicus briefs also, and assisted the FCC in preparing its oral arguments for court cases.

Although it may seem like it goes without saying, the unfortunate experience is that federal courts and judges often rule in cases in a way that either deliberately ignores, or shows unawareness of, the pertinent laws, and accurate and true facts that apply. It cannot be assumed that because the Supreme Court has in the past upheld the constitutionality of the broadcast indecency restrictions, either the Supreme Court or Courts of Appeals know that now, or will rule consistent with that law. It is necessary, as a minimum, for someone to strongly present the accurate law and facts to the courts as to why the indecency restrictions for broadcasting are permanently constitutional. Within that issue, there is a myriad of complex sub-issues, some fabricated or misrepresented to the courts by the broadcasters, and these must be accurately briefed as well. Once the courts rule, there will probably never be another chance to change their rulings in the future, and Americans will permanently be left with what results.

As much as broadcast indecency has increased, and as bad as many people believe it is now, the situation will without doubt become incomprehensibly worse, at least over time, if the federal courts rule contrary to law in the three currently pending cases, in which Decent TV is involved.