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FCC official makes no secret of displeasure over lingerie show
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A member of the Federal Communications Commission Thursday called for a re-examination of the agency's definition of indecency. Michael J. Copps made the recommendation the morning after he said his office was flooded with e-mails from viewers complaining about a fashion show featuring the products of Victoria's Secret, a lingerie company, that aired Wednesday night on CBS. One FCC source said the agency's e-mail system was overloaded, and crashed. "It's time for the commission to change its definition of indecency," Copps said in a statement. "Too many indecency complaints from consumers and too many truly indecent broadcasts are falling through the cracks." Of the nearly 500 indecency complaints received by the agency's enforcement bureau over the past year, "only a tiny number have resulted in any action," he said. Copps made his concerns known to reporters at a breakfast the morning after CBS aired the hour-long "2002 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show." None of the models appeared nude, despite a show organizer's telecast admonition to the models not to "feel that you're walking out naked." Some shots featured thong-clad women, some adorned with wings. Those scenes were interspersed with descriptions of how the wings were constructed and tongue-in-cheek testimonials about how lingerie has changed some people's lives.
Based on the commercials in the hour-long commercial -- including spots for Bud Light and Dodge pickup trucks -- the intended audience was likely largely male. Representatives of Victoria's Secret and CBS did not immediately return phone calls. Copps' critique of television went more than skin deep as he took aim at violence in programs. "It's time for us to step up to the plate and tackle the wanton violence our kids are served up every day," he said in his statement. "Compelling arguments have been made that excessive violence is every bit as indecent, profane and obscene as anything else that's broadcast." "It's shameful," the statement said. "You can't tell me this is what the pioneers of the great broadcast industry had in mind when they brought radio and TV to us. I surely hope my colleagues will join me in addressing this problem." Indecency over the air has increased as media outlets have continued to consolidate, Copps said. "Has consolidation led to an increase in the amount of indecent programming?" he asked.
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You can't tell me this is what the pioneers of the great broadcast industry had in mind when they brought radio and TV to us.
