General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: FCC is launching process to strip FOX News in Philly of its broadcasting license for pushing big lie [View all]ExWhoDoesntCare
(4,741 posts)The difference is in who is in control over the broadcasts.
The FCC controls over-the-air channels. These are the stations you can pick up without a cable or satellite subscription. To broadcast over public airwaves, one needs an FCC license, and to follow the rules attached to said license.
The FCC does not have control over cable/satellite. Those are private broadcasters, not public. They pay for their own transmission and reception, rather than making use of public airwaves. That's why they don't have to apply for an FCC license--they're a private system, not government-controlled. Since they don't have to get FCC permission to broadcast, they don't have to follow FCC rules. This is why they can broadcast more adult content, be it language, sex, drug use, violence or whatever that you don't get to see on most FCC-controlled stations.
That's why Fox doesn't have to follow FCC rules. Even if the Fairness Doctrine were still around, they wouldn't have to adhere to it.
This has only been explained about a billion times, and yet it never seems to sink in with some people.
Sort of like the fact of the earth being a sphere is to flat-earthers--something that the latter refuses to beleive...because I don't wanna, that's why!