"The mother of all dirty words" was how Ralphie referred to it in the seasonal classic A Christmas Story.

That four-letter word may now appear on radio and television stations across the country.

After an October ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the word "fuck" may now be used in a non-sexual context in radio and television media.

Although networks now have the freedom to use the word as an adjective or expletive to emphasize an exclamation, Greg Petersen, director of programming for WPSU-FM (91.5), said his station would not be using such language.

"The ruling does not change the way we operate," he said. "Our standards are much higher than the FCC's."

Petersen doubts there will be a rush to use such obscenities on television regardless of the ruling.

The ruling came nine months after U2 lead singer Bono accepted a Golden Globe award and, in his acceptance speech, said, "This is [expletive] great." Because the awards show aired live, censoring the word was not possible.

The ruling was a response to the specific incident, which took place in January, said Suzanne Tetreault, chief of staff of the FCC's enforcement bureau.

"The thing that people should keep in mind is that it is fact-based, and a decision on one case," she said. "The FCC looked at one specific incident and concluded that it did not violate indecency standards."

Petersen said reaction from students on the decision might vary depending upon the context in which the word is used.

"If it's in the middle of a drama, then students probably won't take offense to it. But if it's in the middle of Sesame Street, then they probably will," he said.

Jess Dellen (sophomore-journalism) said she advocates free speech for everyone.

"If the First Amendment says I can say what I want ... I should be able to say what I want," she said.

Dellen added that she doesn't understand why the word may be used as an adjective, but not in a sexual context.

"There is little difference between its use in the phrase, 'I [expletive] him last weekend,' and 'That's [expletive] stupid,' " she said. "It's still the same word. That's like saying it's all right to show people actually having sex on television as long as you didn't get a close-up of penetration."

Several groups, however, are taking steps to change the ruling.

"I am disappointed in the ruling," said Pennsylvania Family Institute President Michael Geer. "The public airways are a trust that the FCC is supposed to be guarding for the American people."

Geer added that the FCC must begin to take responsibility for what it allows to be broadcast.

"People consistently say it is the responsibility of the parent to monitor what their children are watching, but this ruling makes that difficult," he said. "The broadcast landscape has become a minefield for parents."

While the Institute has not planned any protests of the ruling, Geer said it has been in contact with the Parents Television Council (PTC), a non-partisan group dedicated to a "socially responsible entertainment medium," according to its Web site.

Petrault said the FCC is reviewing the decision and is taking into consideration various opinions.

Leah Orchinik (sophomore-psychology) said it wasn't the issue of the word in particular, but of where to draw an appropriate line.

"It isn't the question of free speech, it's just about being tasteful," she said.

Orchinik wonders if and where a line will be drawn.

"One thing will lead to another and there will be no class or decency left," she said.