The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that radically hikes fines for broadcasters charged with indecency. “The bill, passed by 389 votes to 38 on Wednesday, boosts the maximum penalty for firms and individual entertainers to $500,000. But the bill, supported by the White House, cannot become law until the Senate approves similar legislation. Legislators said stiffer fines were needed to force broadcasters to clean up their programmes and protect children from inappropriate material.”