Posted on 05/04/2006 8:43:04 AM PDT by Paul678
Choosing What’s on TV: Should Big Brother Hold the Remote?
By Jim Dyke The National Ledger May 3, 2006
There was a time, the rumor went, when mothers, fathers and children argued nightly over who got to hold the remote. But in 2006, what was once a domestic battle had been taken outside the walls of American living rooms. Where it went, did not matter; all that mattered was that someone else was watching, and deciding.
In this Orwellian reality, a small, but influential, contingent thinks the government should police what’s on your TV. This group, which includes the Parents Television Council, takes every opportunity to call hit shows “smut” and “sewage.” That, of course, is a matter of taste. But when the PTC manipulates the FCC complaint process and then blasts networks for appealing the fines in Federal Court, their prescription turns out to be a matter of ideology.
Should the government punish popular programs that a few viewers dislike, or should we encourage all adults to control TV in their own homes, so everyone can watch according to their own personal tastes and values? Americans have a clear preference on this question.
82 percent of voting Americans would much rather be free to set their own household rules. They overwhelmingly believe in parental limits, parental standards and parental scruples. That includes the freedom to decide if and when to watch such PTC targets as The Simpsons, Desperate Housewives and CSI – shows that are designed for adults and rated accordingly. It’s a subjective, personal decision, not unlike deciding what your kids can and can’t eat for dinner.
When the FCC considers a case, the commissioners are legally required to consider the context of the incident. This puts government appointees in the position of deciding when it is OK to swear on TV and when it is not based on “context.” The result: the swearing of soldiers in Saving Private Ryan is decent, but the swearing of blues musicians in a documentary is not.
That these subjective decisions are so difficult is as evident on Main Street as it is at the FCC. The latter’s recent decisions revealed that the commissioners themselves disagree on what’s indecent. Ultimately, they’re not so different from the countless moms and dads who can’t always agree on what’s right for their families.
If a handful of government officials don’t see eye to eye, how can we expect to impose a single standard on an entire nation?
That’s why you, as individual Americans, hold the fundamental right to choose your own entertainment, and the good old-fashioned freedom to change the channel when something you don’t like comes on. What’s more, those who want to avoid it altogether can do so too; television, cable and satellite blockers and DVR’s make it easy to control what’s on and when. With so many choices, the entertainment in your home can be as dirty or as clean-scrubbed as you want.
When groups like the PTC misinform audiences about the effectiveness and simplicity of parental controls, they’re saying the government needs to control TV because parents can’t. But parents disagree, and let’s face it – no one knows the business of raising kids better than they do.
Jim Dyke is the Executive Director of TV Watch
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27265518.shtml
http://www.townhall.com/issues/FamilyandSociety.html
I don't care. I quit watching TV years ago.
Wait until they get around to the internet...to protect the children or to protect us from terrorists. China and Microsoft are already perfecting the techniques.
The PTC is a horrible organization.
And I agree with most of their complaints, but we have remotes and v-chips for a reason, keep the government out of the discussion, and be a responsible parent.
Wait until the prudes figure out there's an internet out there. It's still the wild west. The statists have not been successful "taming" it yet. I hate nannies.
Here's a crazy idea....raise your kids, don't let TV or the Gov't do it for you.
The only program I watch is "24" and Britt Hume and the Beltway Gang.
Other than that we bought a Tivo and can record what I want and watch when we want.
We spend more time reading, doing sukuo, crosswords and crafts. When the grandkids come TV is off limits except for watching a DVD movie if it's raining and lights out at 9:00PM!
I watch "24" and maybe something on CNBC occasionally....I'm beginning to think we should just wait for the DVD's of 24, and cancel the cable....would save us about $600 a year. Radio works just fine. Oops...except for the Baseball my husband watches. THAT might be a problem...LOL.
Agreed. But I have expanded digital cable to get the channels I want I have to pay for MTV. Of course i can block MTV, but I am still paying for it.
Don't care, haven't watched TV since 1995. is Friends still on?
You said it all! That summarizes TV Watch's position very neatly. Check out the "help for parents" section at www.televisionwatch.org, and you'll find that TV Watch promotes parental involvement with their children in a much more constructive way than PTC's "let the FCC act as an Orwellian parent" approach.
In pleading, they studiously avoid entering into the Merits of the Cause; but are loud, violent, and tedious in dwelling upon all Circumstances which are not to the Purpose. For Instance, in the Case already mentioned: They never desire to know what Claim or Title my Adversary hath to my Cow; but whether the said Cow were Red or Black; her Horns long or short; whether the Field I graze her in be round or square; whether she was milked at home or abroad; what Diseases she is subject to, and the like. After which they consult Precedents, adjourn the Cause from Time to Time, and in Ten, Twenty, or Thirty Years, come to an Issue.
Me too. I watch Fox news and local news, and will sometimes watch a particular sporting event. Other than that, the TV is off.
Just for your information. I just bought a Tivo for about $250.00 and then a $100.00 rebate. I can record what ever shows I want (including 24 and The Shield), the new Tivo has a dvd burner that your can watch the show on the TV if you want or burn it to a DVD for future use. I thought it was a good investment. I record a lot of DVD TV shows for the Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I fast forward the commercials when I watch but the men and women seem to enjoy the commercials almost as much as the programs since Arm Services TV deletes any and all commercials.
I also love taping and burning to DVD major pressers with President Bush and other timely items on CSpan, just for my "political" library!
TIVO, the best thing since I met the hubby!
Most "adult" movies and TV programs made 40 years ago and earlier wouldn't be more than a PG rating by today's standards, and that was sufficiently entertaining for our parents and grandparents. Why are we so different?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.