Dirty Discourse

Book excerpt: Changes in American society, the pluralistic nature of itscitizens, and its geographic preclude a common definition of whatis indecent, profane, or obscene. What may appear to be "dirtydiscourse" to some may be considered to be laudable satire toothers. Renowned media scholars and authors Robert Hilliard andMichael Keith examine the blue side of the airways in DirtyDiscourse: Sex and Indecency in Broadcasting. This first-everanalysis of the history and nature of off-color program contentexplores the treatment of once-forbidden topics in the electronicmedia, investigating the beliefs, attitudes and actions of thosewho present such material, those who condemn it, and those whodefend it. Written from a social and cultural perspective, Dirty Discourseconcentrates on the means of greatest distribution - radio, withits phenomenal growth of 'shock jocks' and rap music lyrics, andprovides coverage of television and the Internet. The book showshow and why broadcasting has evolved from the ribald antics of theRoaring 20's to today's streaming cybersex, contrasting thestandards and actions of the FCC v. the First Amendment amidst theover-the-air and in-the-court battles of over-the-top radio. Itexamines political pressures and legal considerations, includingSupreme Court decisions, and efforts to protect children from mediasmut.