PITTSBURGH - The FCC has fined WPXI Channel Eleven and WPXI Westmoreland County Bureau Chief Alan Jennings one million dollars for violating the Clichés In Communications Act. The Act, or CICA, was signed into law by President Clinton in 1999. The CICA forbids local television reporters from using alliteration more than once during any sixty second on-air appearance. According to a statement released by the office of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, the violations in question occurred during a piece by Jennings broadcast on February 6, 2007. Mr. Jennings, who was reporting on a series of burglaries in Hempfield Township , allegedly described the incidents as “dastardly, daring,” and “daylight.” He went on to call the perpetrators “crazed, crafty,” and “cretinous.”
This is not the first time Jennings has run afoul of the FCC. Last week, in the first of a three part series on how to assemble and wear layered clothing, Mr. Jennings referred to his scarf as “silky, sleek,” and “stylish.” That incident caused the FCC to send WPXI written notification that Mr. Jennings work was being reviewed by English professors for potential violations of the CICA. WPXI News Director Corrie Harding said he plans to meet with Mr. Jennings about using other literary devices. “I think Alan could work in a simile, or a metaphor every once in a while,” said Harding. “And I have no problem with the occasional use of assonance.” When asked if Mr. Jennings would be permitted to use onomatopoeia, Harding declined to answer. “I’ll have to check with our lawyers,” he said.
