TV viewers tuning out government control

Cnet ^ | 11/29/2005

[Panerai]

Americans overwhelmingly want Big Brother to butt out of their TV watching, according to a new study of U.S. viewing habits set for release Tuesday.

According to the survey, done this month by Russell Research for TV Watch, 81 percent of American TV watchers worry about the kinds of programs their children could be exposed to, and 91 percent of parents said more parental involvement is the best way to keep kids from seeing what they shouldn't see. Just 9 percent of parents said the government should increase control and enforcement of network television programming.

The survey arrives in time for Tuesday's Senate forum, focusing on racy television programming. The all-day gathering, called by Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, includes representatives from conservative and liberal groups, the Federal Communications Commission, TV executives and groups like the Parents Television Council that have been the big drivers in recent moves to crack down on racy broadcasts.

"People see something on TV they don't like, and some activists yell from the rooftops calling for more government intervention, but that's not what people want," said Jim Dyke, executive director of TV Watch. "The vast majority of the people don't want the government making their programming decisions."

[ClearCase_guy]

People want less government regulation? Who knew?

[Mr. Blonde]

Wow this is a first. The majority don't want to the government to take care of them?

[gondramB]

I'm against censorship for content on TV but this study doesn't say what the summary says it does.

"Just 9 percent of parents said the government should increase control and enforcement of network television programming."

That does not necessarily mean that people want the government to butt out - they could be perfectly happy with the current level of involvement.

[brushcop]

Would that they would send the same "message" to the ACLU and their ilk. If it's ATM raising fees or TV watchout! If it's government raising taxes or the ACLU delving in every aspect of your personal life, ho hum, whazzat? Back to sleep...