Part 15 broadcasters often mention that "the rules don't restrict content" for stations in this category, yet we contradict this freedom by avoiding language that would be banned on licensed radio.
A year ago or so there was mention in the trade journals that the FCC was considering removing enforcement over "adult" language, but has not taken further action.
All other media, including the internet and cable, is entirely open as to free expression, while we labor to find "clean" and "family friendly" content.
KDX Worldround Radio carries programs based on their intrinsic quality even when "vulgar" words are said because it's just realistic in the world and not because we especially want to say those words.
For your station, which is it?
As Rich Powers said he forgets that this isn't exclusively part 15 and this is an example of this.
Those in the USA enjoy true freedom of speech with part 15 but not here. The CRTC has strict rules with unlicensed stations as well as commercial ones as to content. If I were to use "course" language on my station I wouldn't be "tolerated" any more.
So to answer Carl's question no, I never use those words on the air. But I am not a talk station either.
Since we learned that, in another thread, the FCC says unlicensed stations are allowed on a sufferance basis, you don't really have freedom of speech as one complaint and they can, for any reason say quit even though it's not in the rules that you can't swear.
Sticky Ball of Wax
I agree with Mark: "They (FCC) can, for any reason say quit even though it’s not in the rules that you can’t swear."
True, and it no doubt would result from a complaint since the FCC doesn't drive around randomly looking for micro-signals. In most cases the FCC would pick a technical reason for the shutdown, even when the complaint deals with language, which makes it unclear whether language by itself can be applied.
But then there's that rule about station IDs for part 15 devices, which is in another section of the rules (part 73 or 74, I think), which proves that at least some rules outside of the part 15 section apply even to part 15 stations.
Probably not even the FCC has a definite policy about criss-crossing rules (or lack thereof), but they certainly would close an unlicensed station if that's what it took to clear the matter.
Dear Lord, save us from your followers and the FCC.
Carl said: "at least some rules outside of the part 15 section apply even to part 15 stations."
As for in the US, in regard to indecency and/or profanity, and obscenity on the airwaves :
"Federal law prohibits obscene, indecent and profane content from being broadcast on the radio or TV. ...Broadcasting obscene content is prohibited by law at all times of the day. Indecent and profane content are prohibited on broadcast TV and radio between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. .. However, the same rules for indecency and profanity do not apply to cable, satellite TV and satellite radio because they are subscription services."
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/obscene-indecent-and-profane-broadcasts
I suspect that basically the same language 'tolerance' is applied in both the U.S. and Canada. The CRTC, the regulatory body responsible for content in Canada (in the U.S., it's the FCC), has a set of guidelines that dictate acceptable language. All stations, even those exempt from CRTC licensing such as BETS, have to follow these guidelines. BETS has additional rules, as Mark has pointed out, such as no political or religious discussion.
Anyone can use loose language, be it on the streets, on podcasts or on OTA radio. If on the other hand you can show me that you can say the same thing in a creative manner, you have my respect as a master at both language and storytelling.
A writer I admire once used the phrase "an aerial act of amorous anastimosis", which is to say "a flying f***". That to me is a brilliant wordsmith.
It's Not Us It's Them
BillyBurg recalls: "Anyone can use loose language, be it on the streets, on podcasts or on OTA radio."
And the problem is that many of them do use loose language... I mean the podcasters, hosts, guests, incoming programs over which we have no control.
As for me myself, I've never used loose language, not even in the army or schoolyard. I don't want to say those words on radio because it's not necessary, but all around many people use those words.
If I ban all the shows that contain so-called vulgar words we'd lose many otherwise very excellent shows.
KDX does have a policy of not meddling in the work of others. The programs people do are the programs they do, I don't send them e-mails making criticisms or recommendations.
There was one time when I contacted a program with a complaint... it was a very excellent program but the audio guy mixed in some crappy music so loud it was hard to hear what the commenters were saying. I mentioned it with the hope they'd simply lower the music, but they were offended and went right on doing it their way. I dropped the program, although it wasn't about offensive language, it was about language that was hard to hear.
Another audio issue is "the knobs all the way to the right." Looking at some of the audio files I download I often see hard limiting across the entire show. This is problematic especially when the program material is classical music.