Index on Censorship reports that US rockers, Mötley Crüe, are suing NBC TV after its executives banned them from all the network’s shows for swearing during a live televised performance last New Year’s Eve.

Increased volumes of complaints to the US TV regulators at the FCC and increased fines to match have made networks ultra-cautious about on-screen obscenity and indecency. But the band claim the decision has violated their right to free speech. In papers, filed 23 May, the group’s lawyers state: “This ban constitutes governmentally pressured censorship and violates the law the same as if the government itself had ordered the censorship.”

According to the Mötley Crüe vs NBC fact sheet:

1. This suit targets unequal/unfair treatment. Mötley Crüe merely wants to be treated in the same manner as other artists who have also uttered an expletive broadcast on NBC (e.g. Bono, John Mayer, System of a Down).

2. Mötley Crüe is NOT suing to be able to utter a profanity on national television. This is about the pressure the FCC places on broadcast networks.

3. NBC President Jeff Zucker announced the ban while touting the network’s upcoming programming slate to the Television Critics’ Association. This action simultaneously placated the FCC and helped promote his network at the expense of the band.

4. This legal action was not taken until a similar incident involving System of A Down occurred on Saturday Night Live three weeks ago, when no comparable punitive measures were handed out.

Nikki Sixx: “This is about fair and equal treatment. We have a right to be treated in the same way as other artists who have made the same mistake.”

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