The FCC crackdown on TV and radio broadcasts for indecency has some entertainers crying censorship. But the FCC points to the dramatic increase in consumer complaints as justification for their action. In 2000 and 2001 there were less than 350 complaints, while in 2002, the FCC received roughly 14,000 complaints. In 2003 that number shot up to more than 240,000. So far in 2004, there are more than 1,068,767 complaints with 540,000 stemming from Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during this year's Super Bowl.

So just who is to blame? How about conservative columnist and Media Resource Center founder Brent Bozell? Media Week points out that 99.8% of the complaints filed in 2003 came from Bozell's Parents Television Council (PTC). Aside from Super Bowl complaints, 99.9% of this year's tally came from the PTC.

The PTC has worked hard to achieve its influence over broadcast content. Founded in 1995 by longtime conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III, it set out to make an impact in 2003, including what it called "a massive, coordinated and determined campaign" for more action by the FCC against broadcast indecency. "We delivered on that promise," Bozell said in the group's annual report.

The document listed tools developed by the PTC, including continual monitoring and archiving of broadcast network programs and "cutting-edge technology to make it easier for members to contact program sponsors, the FCC, or the networks directly with a simple click of the button."

The result, the group said, was "a more than 2,400 percent increase in online activism."

I'm sure that the internet has undoubtedly contributed to the ease at which complaints are made. But this still appears to be yet another case of the moral minority pushing their views on mainstream America. I will admit that I have always liked the MRC and have admired their reporting on media bias. But upon reading this I am truly conflicted. I will certainly never look at Brent Bozell the same way again.