The Federal Communications Commission determined last week that radio company Saga Communications, which owns the radio station 95.9 FM in Ithaca, had “falsely certified” a permit for construction that was meant to free up the airwaves for locally-owned Finger Lakes Radio Group (95.5 FM).

Later this year, the Supreme Court will announce a decision impacting the ability of the Federal Communications Commission to regulate single utterances of swear words on broadcast television. This case, Fox Television v. FCC, is ultimately a matter of administrative law, the body of law that provides a framework for the existence and operation of our federal agencies; consequently, the Court may well not need to reach the constitutional question lurking in the background. That said, the ability of the government to keep swearing off the air during peak viewing hours (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.) will reach the Court soon; beyond that, it certainly makes for a good debate.

At some point, we have all found pleasure in the crude humor of comedies or sitcoms, but the FCC has decided that we should have this privilege limited. While profanity has become an integrated part of everyday life, most agree that there are situations where this form of freedom of speech is inappropriate. However, limiting the ability of broadcasters to air profanity on television enters into dangerous territory, which is likely to bring protest from those who value the American tradition of free speech.