FCC wants to clamp down on violence, extend to cable
Steve Safran April 23rd, 2007
The Washington Post reports that the Federal Communications Commission will recommend Congress enact legislation intended to curb violence in TV programming. The legislation would also extend government power to the ability to fine basic cable channels for the first time as well. The FCC has had the power to fine TV stations that show sexually “indecent” material, and now wants the government to have that same authority to levy fines on violence, especially on programming airing before 10 p.m. Still, as the article points out, the recommendation is broad and it would be up to the Congress to decide what “violence” is. Does cartoon violence count? Professional wrestling? It seems the nightly news is safe, but what about an infotainment show that features that same footage?
5 Comments Add your own
1. Terry Heaton | April 25th, 2007 at 8:50 am
We need to shut down the governmental nanny, not increase its power. Sheesh.
2. Steve Safran | April 25th, 2007 at 9:51 am
I don’t know, Terry. Think of the children. Won’t someone PLEASE think of the children!!!!!!
3. John | April 25th, 2007 at 11:21 am
It’s odd how the media ponders the influence movies and rap lyrics have on what we like to politely call “black crime,” but when other, (awful news word alert) heinous crimes are committed by other members of the population, we delve into the criminal’s past and look for hints about his psychological state and his family background and use words like “disturbed,” as if killers should be grouped into various levels of sophistication. Either way, crime is crime and the fight against it requires better parenting and direction in school, not child therapy or increased governmental control of television content.
Sorry for the rant.
4. Steve Safran | April 25th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Wait - are you saying there’s some sort of unspoken racism going on in the media? I’m shocked.
5. John | April 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
You heard it here first, Steve.
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