Jack Valenti, the former Motion Picture Association president, was pushing for a $300 million campaign that is designed to let parents know about the V-chip and other types of blocking technology, which includes program ratings that allegedly exist on TVs.
(AP Photo/Jane Kalinowsky)a
Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin chastised broadcasters Tuesday telling them that the choice of the industry to put the responsibility of parents controlling their children's viewing, isn't going to cut it in the agency's fight against Hollywoods indecency.
Jack Valenti, the former Motion Picture Association president, was pushing for a $300 million campaign that is designed to let parents know about the V-chip and other types of blocking technology, which includes program ratings that exist on TVs.
There are several things wrong with this ignorant statement. First, it does nothing to deal with the shows that are being offered. The fact that they are pushing the technology is an acknowledgment of the product they're putting out. Valenti is basically saying that we will keep putting out what we feel like putting out, and you need to sort through and take all the time to find out what we're trying to sneek and get your children to watch. He doesn't even realize he's saying it.
From the practical point-of-view, Martin added, "40% of the nation's TV sets don't have V-chips or other blocking technology." Whoops Jack, you need do your homework better
In another oddball comment Bruce Reese, a NAB official and president of Utah-based Barrington Broadcasting said "It's frightening though that the 'hippy dippy weatherman' is still making government policy." This refers to one of George Carlins characters.
I posted recently about the NAB and Fred Young being "scared" of blogging also. Here is his quote: "Blogging is wonderful, but it scares me."
Isn't it amazing, everybody in the NAB seems to be scared; and they should be. People are being offered more options at an increasing pace, they prefer the Internet and interactivity from the great majority of static show, many are getting tired of the family-rejecting studios and networks and they demand a change: and it's coming. That's what they're really scared and frightened about.
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