FCC Campaigns for Restricting TV Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26: The Federal Communications
Commission is urging Congress to impose legislation that would restrict
violence in TV shows during hours when children might be watching.

In a report released yesterday, the FCC said that the current
program ratings system and technologies like the V-chip had failed to protect
children from violent content on TV. As such, the FCC is asking lawmakers to
give it the authority to restrict violent content in entertainment programming
to late evening hours. For example, the FCC says, broadcasters could adopt a
family hour at the beginning of prime time, during which they decline to air
violent content. In addition, it wants Congress to impose legislation allowing
consumers to purchase cable channels on an à la carte basis.

“Clearly, steps should be taken to protect children from
excessively violent programming,” said Kevin J. Martin, the agency’s chairman.
“Some might say such action is long overdue. Parents need more tools to protect
children from excessively violent programming.”

The FCC maintains that exposure to violence in the media can
increase aggressive behavior in children, at least in the short term.