The FCC which had previously allowed indecency, but not obscenity, to air from midnight to 6 a.m., has now banned indecent material 24 hours a day. The FCC took their cue from Congress, which, pressured by fanatical religious groups, attached a "decency amendment" to a budget appropriations bill.

According to the FCC, indecency is defined as material that "in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive, as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory activities or organs."

Many, even some FCC officials, believe that the new law is unconstitutional. However, until the courts say that this is so, the FCC intends to enforce it.