PRX Decency Requirements

Our Policy

Stations need to know if there is inappropriate language in your pieces or programs so that they can decide right away if they want to consider your piece for broadcast.

You MUST document any explicit or offensive language.

Failure to do so could result in the removal of your piece and a one-year suspension of your PRX membership. Not specifying such indecent and obscene language puts stations at risk of FCC fines and possible loss of their license.

What Content Should be flagged on PRX.org

PRX provides a place for you to note Content Advisories when you post a piece to PRX. This field is where you must document explicit or inappropriate language and any other items that might raise question of taste for a general audience. When you fill in this field it will trigger a little graphic warning sign on the piece page so stations know right away to read your Content Advisory.

Prurient Language - if it's lewd or salacious, note the exact words and time cues in the Content Advisory field. (FCC)
Indecent or Profane Language - if it involves bedroom or bathroom activities, note this in the Content Advisory field.(FCC)
Hateful Language - document any derogatory language including ethnic, racial or other slurs in the Content Advisory field as well.

While hateful language is not prohibited by the FCC, and is often part of meaningful, relevant storytelling, PRX does require that you note any hateful language in the Content Advisory field. Again, stations need to be fully informed before they preview or license a piece.

For Example, Bleep These Words

You must document the following words, with the timings at which they occur. We strongly advise you to blank/bleep them, documenting the timings in the Content Advisory. If you wish to be considered for carriage on REMIX Radio, PRX's 24/7 stream on satellite, terrestrial and mobile devices, ALL of the following must be bleeped and documented with timings.

How to Enter a Content Advisory

The Content Advisory box is on the Basics tab when you create a piece. To edit a Content Advisory for a piece you've already created, go to My PRX > Manage Pieces.

In the box under the Content Advisory heading, describe any material that may be generally offensive, then list specific words and their time cues. Include whether or not you have already blanked or bleeped the content. For example:
00:30:14 BLANK "...that doesn’t fix a f***ing thing"

When Not to Worry

Words that have multiple definitions and are used in a non-explicit way do not need to be documented or bleeped. Here are some examples: "cock" meaning rooster, "fag" meaning cigarette, or "bitch" in reference to a canine. You also don't have to worry about clinical terms for genitalia, so long as they are not discussed in a prurient manner. QUESTIONS? Send PRX an email at PRXhelp (at) PRX (dot) org