Sen. Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.)
labeled the voluntary TV ratings system "inadequate and ineffective" on
Wednesday in response to a Parents Television Council content analysis on what
kids would see on a show rated TV-PG.
Rockefeller has been a strong voice for regulation, self- or
otherwise, of violent and sexual content as a way to protect kids.
His office confirmed the following quote given to CQ in
response to the study: "These voluntary efforts by industry are clearly
inadequate and ineffective. As we look to the future of video in the Commerce
Committee, we must also continue to look at how best to arm parents with the
tools to safeguard their children."
A Rockefeller spokesman said no hearings were currently
planned on the issue, but that the chairman had been in contact with PTC to
learn about the study.
The study, "What
Kids Can See When It's Rated TV-PG," released Wednesday, was the sixth
such report from the group. It concluded that there were more than 10.8
incidents of "explicit" adult content per hour, and violence in the
shows that included "dismemberment, decapitation, violent drugging [and]
animal abuse."
"For years, the broadcast industry and their agents
have touted the V-chip and the content ratings system as the public's remedy
for harmful, offensive and explicit programming. The findings of today's
report suggest that the industry 'remedy' is a failure," said PTC president
Tim Winter, who added that the situation must be remedied. "We call upon
the television industry, the FCC, and Congress to immediately begin review of
the order that implemented the current TV Ratings System. And we call for the
system to increase its transparency and accountability to the public."
TV Watch,
which the three of the Big Four broadcast nets -- ABC is not a member -- was
launched to promote the V-chip/ratings system, was having none of it.
"With a majority of parents overwhelmingly pleased with
the television ratings and parental controls, these studies -- which rely on
faulty methodology and subjective analyses -- are really just an organization
struggling to remain relevant," said TV Watch executive director Jim Dyke.
"But there is a real danger as legislators and regulators may unwittingly
rely on this subjective analysis to erroneously influence public policy."
The PTC report came out the same day TV Watch issued its
fall advisory to parents about taking control of the TV using tools like the
ratings/V-chip system.
