With not much original reporting, I discovered that the latest big fine by the FCC against a TV network — a record $1.2m against Fox for its “sexually suggestive” Married by America — was brought about by a mere 3 people who actually composed letters of complaint. Yes, just 3 people. I filed a Freedom of Information Act request to see all of the 159 complaints the FCC cited in its complaint against Fox. I just received the FCC’s reply with a copy of all the complaints — and a letter explaining that, well, there weren’t 159 after all. Because the complaints were sent to multiple individuals at the FCC, it turns out there actually were only 90 complaints. It gets better: The FCC confesses that they come from only 23 individuals. It is shocking enough that what 10s of millions of us are permitted to see by our government can be determined by 159 … or 90 … or 23.

abolish the FCC already.

The folks over at governmentattic.org FOIAed portions of the FCC’s television complaints database! Browse their site to find citizen complaints about your favorite TV show

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