Scholars have long considered the media as a kind of public space, a sort of commons in which we gather not only as consuming audiences but also as a citizenry. What happens when some portion of that citizenry claims that a crisis has occurred in such a space? This work-in-progress explores the recent flurry of attention to the matter of "indecency" in broadcasting by advocacy groups; how an array of proposals in response could reshape the television environment; and, ultimately, the aptness of the spatial metaphor as a means of understanding commercial mass media.

Please note that the CUNY Film and Media Lecture Series is held at the Graduate Center (365 Fifth Avenue, bet. 34th and 35th Streets).  All lectures are scheduled for Fridays, 3-5pm.  Room C-419 (basement).

If you'd like to reserve a space at any of the talks, please respond to Paula J. Massood or David Gerstner @ gerstner@mail.csi.cuny.edu.  We are still building our contact list, so please forward this to any colleagues or friends who might be interested.