Posted on 11/09/2005 5:36:21 PM PST by Pikamax
Sen. Obama Warns TV to Clean Up or Congress Will Act By Doug Halonen
If the industry doesn't take significant steps to make it easier for parents to control what their children view on television, Congress will step in and legislate. That was a warning shot fired by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in a speech Wednesday in Washington.
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"The amount of questionable content spilling across our screens is growing by the year," Sen. Obama said at a press conference to release a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation that says the number of sex scenes on TV has been increasing dramatically over the past several years.
"Once again, we find ourselves asking those in charge to serve the needs of a nation that has a higher calling than simply peddling indecency and materialism for profit," the senator said.
The study, which examined a representative example of broadcast and cable TV network shows, said that 70 percent of programs included some sexual content this year (with an average of five sex scenes per hour), while only 56 percent did so in 1998 (with 3.2 sex scenes per hour). Among shows that had sexual content, the study said, 14 percent this year included a reference to sexual risks or responsibilities, up from 9 percent in 1998.
But Sen. Obama said he is particularly concerned about the impact television is having on the ability of parents to instill positive values in their children. "Raising your children this way has become exceedingly difficult in a mass media culture that saturates our airwaves with a steady stream of sex, violence and materialism," he said.
obama is a dangerous, dangerous man.
a charismatic socialist who could be the VP on a hitlery ticket.
Thank you Bwana.
All you need to see are previews. And I watched The OC a couple of times with my daughter who is 19. Ever watched OC? And I read things on FR.
This isn't 100 years ago. I am at least realistic about life.
I don't care what the play on TV. If they want to play porn, it's no sweat off me. I'm not going to watch it. It's an option to have a TV, it's not a necessary item for survival. You can live without TV. It's called responsibility. You can opt out of tv.
I watched him during the Dem convention and was very impressed. He has a good future in their party. Don't underestimate him.
More big government by Barack Osama and the democrats
I don't watch TV. My husband watches Fox and the Sunday shows. Oh, and the history channel. That's about it.
No you're not realistic. You don't want to take responsibility for your children's tv viewing habits and want the government to mandate what you can and can't watch.
It's already easy for parent's to control the content of TV...turn it off.
As the father of an inquisitive eight year old I might agree with him.
The only safe television for kids is PBS.
Sporting events are OK until commercial time. The other day we were watching a football game and the main sponsor was the movie "Get Rich or Die Trying".
The Republicans control both houses of congress and the presidency. There will be five Catholics (I'm one)on the Supreme Court and I still can't watch network (public airways)TV (I don't have cable) with my eight year old.
Along with "ratings".
Well, why do you think I didn't let my kids watch that kind of thing? If it offends you (or maybe it doesn't), don't watch it. Let the station know why you aren't watching it. Let the sponsors know why you are not watching it. Why does the government have to be involved?
Oh, I do opt out of TV.
Back to point:I don't support anything-goes on property that I don't own.
If I wanted to watch pornography, I would choose a private form of media to do that.
I don't need to rely on property that's not mine, to do that. To do so is called -- liberalism.
What is the job of the FCC?
Why do we have an FCC? I don't necessarily see the government as the enemy in all situations.
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