i just read this and i thought it was hilarious. it was from Time magazine last week. the article was Has TV Gone Too Far:
But though the PTC [Parent's Television Counsel] has a loud voice, just whom they speak for is debatable. Last year, in response to viewer complaints, the FCC levied its largest TV fine ever, $1.2 million, against Fox for an episode of the reality show Married by America, which featured strippers covered in whipped cream. The commission said the broadcast had generated 159 letters of complaint. Jeff Jarvis, a former TV critic who writes the blog BuzzMachine.com filed a Freedom of Information Act request to see the letters. Because of multiple mailings, the letters actually came from just 23 people, 21 of whom used a form.
In other words, three people composing letters of complaint precipitated a seven-digit fine.
anyway, i just wanted to share that. the article went on to say that some of these watchdog groups offer snippets of "offensive" content on their websites and then links to form letters so that wouldbe offendees have easy access to the inappropriate content (you know, just in case they missed just what it was they were supposed to be offended about) and a means to complain about it. at least no one can deny that the little guy does indeed still have a voice in this country...