FCC Fines for Fake News

This news is rather interesting. The FCC has proposed a fine aginst a network for running a commercial that looks like a news program and forgot to tell people watching it that it was a commercial. That part isn't really news. The interesting part is that this is the first time the FCC has tried to fine a cable network.

I'm wondering -- if the FCC is claiming power to regulate and monitor cable television networks, what else will the claim jurisdiction over? If the data that is transmitted over a television cable line can be directly regulated by the FCC for content, how soon before the FCC claims jurisdiction over the internet and all information transmitted over the internet?

Of course, in the real world, I understand the internet -- I know that the FCC will never be able to actually regulate it. Heck, they can't stop child porn and illegal gambling on the internet now. But if they claim jurisdiction, I know it will be just a matter of time before they start wasting time trying to shut down or fine various internet sites.

Keep in mind this is an organization that YOU, personally, have to pay for, whether you like it or not. Perhaps the FCC is yet another government organization that has outlived it's usefulness. Have you ever noticed that no government programs EVER end, even when they have no purpose any more? Wouldn't it be great to have the option to elect people who would get rid of such programs? If you know of anyone running for election that would actually reduce useless parts of government, let me know. The only person I know of running for election at any level that would actually reduce government is Ron Paul.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:09 PM

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