Astroturf, FCC and the party of small government

So-Called Austin Mayor points us to Jeff Jarvis’s post about the recent $1.2m fine imposed by the FCC.

The fine, for those who missed it, was the largest ever imposed by the FCC. It was levied against Fox, for its “sexually suggestive” Married by America program.

All but three of the 159 complaints received were duplicates. Of the millions who watched the show, three complained. And the FCC turned around and fined Fox $1.2m.

Kudos to Jeff for doing a little original reporting and for challenging fellow bloggers to do some homework: “The Freedom of Information Act isn’t meant for reporters. It’s meant for citizens … and now citizen journalists. So use it.”