Watch those f****ing expletives

That’s “fleeting” expletives, and the Supreme Court agreed on Monday (March 17) to hear arguments over the FCC’s policy regarding those slips of the tongue (see related article). The case revolves around two incidents during the Billboard Music Awards in which Cher (in 2002) and Nicole Richie (in 2003) used profanity.

The FCC applauded the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case. Fox Broadcasting (responsible for airing the Billboard Music Awards) said the case will allow them “to argue that the FCC’s expanded enforcement of the indecency law is unconstitutional in today’s diverse media marketplace, where parents have access to a variety of tools to monitor their children’s television viewing.” But Parents Television Council President Tim Winter argues, “Such harsh, unedited profanity is unacceptable for broadcast over the publicly owned airwaves when children are likely to be watching.”

How far do you think our high court will go in this case? Do you think it should give the FCC more power to police profanity?

The New Media Presidential Race

Looking back at the 2008 Presidential Race historians and media critics are likely to note some dramatic shifts. One is the increased interest and participation on the part of young voters. The second, and clearly related, phenomenon is the use of new media technology by the candidates, their supporters, and their detractors. For a more institutional take on this phenomenon, check out the Politics Online Conference website. The two-day conference (March 4-5) is held in Washington, DC and has sessions with titles like Campaigning in a Web 2.0 World.

One example of consumer-generated new media in a supporting role is the We Are The Ones music video by the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am. The title comes from Senator Obama’s Super Tuesday speech in which he said, “we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” On the same website you can upload your photo to contribute to a picture montage of the video.

On a more sinister note, Matt Druge posted an image on his website of Obama in traditional Somali garb. Drudge reported that the photo was sent to him by Clinton operatives, who Obama’s camp accused of fear-mongering.

But these developments are just the tip of the iceberg. A couple of months ago YouTube partnered with CNN for a televised debate…the highlight of which was a question about global warming asked by a snowman! Someone uploaded a parody spot for Obama featuring Senator Hillary Clinton as Big Bro in the classic 1984 spot for Macintosh. And don’t forget Senator John Edwards feeling pretty. Before that was Obama Girl, who is now trying to cash in on her 15 minutes of fame with her own blog. And before her there was Senator George Allen’s “macaca” moment, Dan Rather’s “memogate,” Senator Foley’s sexually explicit emails to pages, Howard Dean’s scream, and the Lewinski affair brought to light by the Drudge Report. New media and politics…its a powerful, and potentially dangerous, combination!