In light of celebrity outbursts on both television and radio, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has tightened control over the content on the airwaves.

Last Thursday, the FCC fined Infinity Broadcasting $27,000 because of public complaints in the Detroit area against talk show host Howard Stern.

Federal regulators opened a new front in their crackdown on offensive broadcasts Thursday, saying that almost any use of the f-word on over-the-air radio and television would be considered indecent.

While some Penn State students said they do not feel offended by lewdness on television and radio, others said they understand the FCC's recent attempts to restrict what many would consider offensive from being seen at times when children are watching television.

The recent acts targeted by the FCC as inappropriate are seen by students as attempts by celebrities to gain media attention in their aging careers.

Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during February's Super Bowl and Courtney Love's topless rendition of "Danny Boy" on Wednesday's The David Letterman Show were cited.

"It's a publicity thing; they try to sell themselves, portraying themselves as spontaneous," Francis D'Aurora (freshman- architectural engineering) said. "Parents with kids would be upset with what some celebrities have done."

Mike Barrish (freshman-mechanical engineering) said he feels it should be up to individuals and not the government to determine what is appropriate for themselves or their children. "The FCC, when trying to censor the media, is just making up for the lack of parenting because parents use television to baby-sit children now more than ever."

Mike Barrucco (freshman-aerospace engineering) said censorship is necessary, and he is not concerned with the possible implications to the First Amendment right of free speech. "Without some censorship, society thinks that it can do anything that it wants. Without some censorship, children will just imitate whatever their idols on television are doing," he said.

Josh Hurdle (freshman-bioengineering) said growing up in Taiwan showed him that the FCC should lighten up its censorship. Television stations in other countries show more than the United States in terms of nudity and profanity.

"In Europe and Asia, they are so much more lax. I think it is time that the U.S. stop putting up this façade of being moral," Barrish said.

Supporters of FCC regulation often talk about a supposed negative effect on children after witnessing offensive behavior. While students have not reached a consensus on the issue, those interviewed said they agree that parents, not a government organization, should be the sole determiners of what their children view.

"Parents should be saying what their children can and cannot watch. If a parent has established with the child what is right and wrong, then they will be able to cope with what they see on television," Barrish said.

D'Aurora said television is seen as a reflection of a society, and in this way, students regard celebrity behavior as irresponsible.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.