Part 7/8:
A provocative question was raised about whether the government should actively review the scripts or the writers of comedic programs before they appear on air. The FCC official responded firmly that such preemptive review is not within the agency’s role or authority. Content responsibility, they emphasize, resides with local broadcasters, who are tasked with determining whether a program aligns with community standards and serves the public interest.
This stance underscores a core principle: the local stations are empowered to make editorial decisions, balancing programming choices with community expectations, rather than subjecting content to federal censorship or prior review.