When I think of all the useless government agencies out there, one shining example of utter waste comes to mind. The FCC. Originally conceived to keep radio stations from overlapping their signals (at least, this was the excuse used), this agency now seems to think it owns all of the atmosphere around America. The "overlapping signal" was a counterfeit problem to begin with. It is not in the interest of radio stations to have a frequency too close to another nearby station. Who would want to listen if there were two stations broadcasting on the same frequency? Try it by tuning into some distant AM stations and see how long you would listen to that. The stations had already privately solved this before government came rushing in to rescue them.
Their censors have bewildering standards. If I were not a libertarian and I were trying to keep the airwaves "decent" I would not let half of the garbage be broadcast that they allow. Yet they levy huge fines for nonsense violations of the bizarre rules that they do have. The First Amendment reminds government that it has zero authority to regulate the press or to control free speech. Regardless of "public sensibilities". Popular speech needs no protection. No one is forced to own a radio or television. The stations do a pretty good job of advertising the type of programming you are likely to see or hear when you tune them in. If you are afraid of seeing bare flesh, don't watch Cinemax. If you don't wish to hear certain words, don't watch HBO. If somewhat milder stuff offends you, don't watch CBS, NBC, FOX, or.... You do not have a right to not be offended.
Radio waves are nothing but a form of electromagnetic radiation; like light. Government can't own light. FCC licensing is absurd. Ham radio operators are "required" to get a license, and they seem to think it is a honor to bow to the requirement. Does government really think that unlicensed radio signals are a threat to America? In Great Britain, the royal subjects must license their TV sets. How much longer until the FCC, in order to protect us, starts requiring the same? Support any "pirate" broadcasters in your area.
