FCC Receives More Petitions-To-Deny Over 'Redskins'

Three more petitions — from people involved with a Native American radio program — have been filed at the FCC against a radio station owned by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder for the use of the team’s name on air, reports Politico.

The paperwork follows the efforts of a George Washington University professor to revoke WWXX 94.3 FM’s broadcast license. John Banzhaf originally filed his petition last month, contending the FCC can take action against a broadcaster that airs the word because it is “akin to broadcasting obscenity” or that “it constitutes profanity.”

Under current law, broadcasters face a fine of up to $325,000 per incident deemed indecent and could lose their licenses to operate.

Banzhaf said Tuesday that the addition of three Native American petitioners gives the case more standing because it shows that they have been affected by the use of the nickname.

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The Washington Post reports the signed affidavits byJay Nightwolf, Louis Grimaldi and Verona Iriarte said they have “experienced and/or witnessed harm to myself and/or to other Native Americans which I believe was caused by the frequent repetitive use of the word ‘R*dskins’ on the air.”

Rick Carmean, chief executive of Red Zebra Broadcasting, which operates WWXX, dismissed the petition.

“As we have previously stated and numerous media outlets have agreed, this is a First Amendment issue plain and simple,” he said. “The FCC has consistently recognized that licensees like Red Zebra have a First Amendment right to report the news, including sports news, using the words of their choice. We will file our full response to the original petition with the FCC in short order.”