Since the late 1980s, FCC regulations
have replaced the "seven dirty words" criteria with the "community standards"
language of Miller v. California. This change has affected college radio
stations as it has their commercial and public radio counterparts. Many
college stations cannot afford fines which would make it impossible
for them to continue operations. Therefore, experimental programs have
either been curtailed or relegated to late-night "safe harbor" periods.
In addition, there have been FCC investigations of rap and rock music played
on college stations on the basis of code words for "sexually deviate" behavior.
The present FCC policy, as interpreted by at least some college administrators,
has caused self-censorship of potentially "offensive" music or other presentations
on college radio stations.
As stated above, private colleges
have greater latitude in what they consider protected speech and
expression. This is especially relevant to the next two cases listed.