Senator wants decency standards for cable

[moe.ron]

Link to the Article
Great, another power FCC might be getting.

[PhiPsiRuss]

We need a decency standard for politicians who want decency standards.

[DeltAlum]

He can start with C-SPAN. Get all of the idiots off there.

[RUgreek]

i'm beginning to believe that anyone supporting the fcc either has sex through a hole in a bedsheet or has never left their home state in their entire life.

Maybe a little of both...

[DeltAlum]

It isn't likely that anything Congress or the FCC does to regulate cable programming will pass judicial muster if the precedent of the past is followed -- namely that you subscribe to cable as oppossed to free over the air Radio/TV, for which the FCC clearly has a mandate. Same for subscription satellite.

While I disagree with some (many) things the FCC decides (remember, I have worked under their shadow for over thirty years), you must understand that a huge portion (probably majority given the baby boomer generation) of the US population agrees that content pushes the envelope of decency. -- and will keep pushing until regulation pushes back.

Frankly, many programs have crossed the line from my point of view and can use some regulation.

[moe.ron]

The problem is decenty is not properly define by either the FCC or by Congress.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by moe.ron
The problem is decenty is not properly define by either the FCC or by Congress.

True. And, with this conservative Congress, I don't think you want them to.

Personally, I think some programming goes too far, but I'd rather see some sort of industry self regulation.

It was when broadcasters began dropping out of and ignoring the Radio and TV Codes of Good Practice of the National Association of Broadcasters, and really lowering the standards of what society considers good taste that these calls for greater regulation began.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
It isn't likely that anything Congress or the FCC does to regulate cable programming will pass judicial muster if the precedent of the past is followed -- namely that you subscribe to cable as oppossed to free over the air Radio/TV, for which the FCC clearly has a mandate. Same for subscription satellite.

While I disagree with some (many) things the FCC decides (remember, I have worked under their shadow for over thirty years), you must understand that a huge portion (probably majority given the baby boomer generation) of the US population agrees that content pushes the envelope of decency. -- and will keep pushing until regulation pushes back.

Frankly, many programs have crossed the line from my point of view and can use some regulation.

I have to agree. I was talking with some other women about television, and most of us don't really watch that much anymore - because there's just not that much good that's on.

Too many shows are so dependent on violence or sex that, if you take that away, there's nothing left. I'm not saying that I don't believe in showing violence or sex, I'm saying that you need to have substanance behind it, or else it just becomes gratuitous.

[AOII_LB93]

While I agree that the programming can be too graphic, violent, sexual or whatever offends folks, we need to remember ...you PAY for cable. If you don't like it, don't watch it, plain and simple. I don't want some politician telling me what I can and can't watch on cable. Netowrk TV, ok....everyone has access, regulate away (though I think we are too hell bent on purifying everything in this country, but that is a whole new thread.)

[Optimist Prime]

If this passes I hope they do something with wellfare for those long unemployment lines that will result. Stupid moralists, telling me what my believes/morals should be, going against the whole point of the US in the first place.

[chideltjen]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
If this passes I hope they do something with wellfare for those long unemployment lines that will result. Stupid moralists, telling me what my believes/morals should be, going against the whole point of the US in the first place.

Shoot... the unemployed need to have unregulated cable so they have more to watch while they are having their state pay their bills. If the FCC cleans it all up, they may have to... you know, look for a job or something. [/snark]

Honestly, this country has bigger problems than this.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
...Personally, I think some programming goes too far, but I'd rather see some sort of industry self regulation...

My opinion on that is, if you think it's indecent and it goes too far, don't watch it. Shows that don't have the ratings or viewership don't stay on the air for very long.

[Optimist Prime]

Originally posted by chideltjen
Shoot... the unemployed need to have unregulated cable so they have more to watch while they are having their state pay their bills. If the FCC cleans it all up, they may have to... you know, look for a job or something. [/snark]

Honestly, this country has bigger problems than this.

I was referring to the mass loss of jobs that would result from tighter regulations due to lack of adversitising. Less sex=less money=less people working. But you could just be a bitch to those that have fallen on hard times, that works too.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
I was referring to the mass loss of jobs that would result from tighter regulations due to lack of adversitising. Less sex=less money=less people working. But you could just be a bitch to those that have fallen on hard times, that works too.

Sorry, but I totally miss the logic behind that.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Sorry, but I totally miss the logic behind that.

Don't be sorry. Neither do I.