The FCC says it intends to fine Schurz-owned WDBJ $325,000 for showing “graphic sexual images” during its evening newscast.
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau says looked into viewer complaints after the Roanoke, Va. CBS station aired a story during its 6:00 p.m. news on July 12, 2012, about a former adult film star who was working for a local volunteer rescue squad. The FCC says WDBJ used images from a porn website in the story.
The Commission plans to hit the station with “the maximum available penalty” for violating federal laws prohibiting the airing of indecent programming. The fine would be the highest ever levied for a single incident broadcast on one station.
“Our action here sends a clear signal that there are severe consequences for TV stations that air sexually explicit images when children are likely to be watching,” said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau.
It is a violation of federal law to air indecent programming from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., when there is reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. The FCC has defined broadcast indecency as “language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities.”
NOTE: An earlier version of this story used incorrect call letters in the story excerpt. Our apologies.