NBC fined over Bono's bad language

US broadcasting regulators have launched a crackdown on bad language on television and radio.

The Federal Communications Commission ruled that NBC violated a federal law when broadcasting an expletive by Bono during an awards ceremony although the regulating body decided against imposing fines against NBC.

However, in a separate development it fined a Detroit radio station $15,000 for comments made by DJ Howard Stern.

Two other stations face similar fines.

Bono's comments came as the band won best original song at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards.

NBC expressed regret for the broadcast, but said it was not liable under the rules in place at the time.