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Senate Passes Child Safe Viewing Act
John
Eggerton
Broadcasting & Cable
October 2, 2008
The Senate has passed by unanimous consent a bill that
would require the FCC to investigate content-blocking
technologies that can help parents screen out
inappropriate video content.
The House has not passed the bill, but there is still
time since its members remain in session as the
arm-twisting and carrot-extending process continues by
those trying to get enough votes to pass the financial
bailout bill Friday.
If the bill passes, Congress is expected to exit until
after the election, when there will likely be a
week-long lame duck session.
The Child Safe Viewing Act (S. 602) was introduced in
March—the latest incarnation of a similar bill that Sen.
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) introduced during the summer of
2007—and is meant to help parents control indecent
content.
The act would direct the FCC to collect data on the most
advanced methods for blocking video content, including
on wired and wireless platforms and across a variety of
platforms including TVs, DVD players, VCRs, cable
set-tops and wireless handsets.
The bill’s preamble outlines several assertions that
form the basis of the proposed legislation, including
that studies show that “the strong appeal of video
programming erodes the ability of parents to develop
responsible attitudes and behavior in their children,"
and that "there is a compelling government interest in
empowering parents to limit their children's exposure to
harmful television content."
One of the arguments broadcasters are making in their
challenges to FCC indecency actions is that the
V-chip/ratings system is an effective content-control
tool and, thus, a more narrowly tailored means to the
government's end of protecting children.
But the Pryor bill asks the FCC to look at technologies
that operate independently of any ratings system, as
well.
The FCC would be required to initiate a rulemaking
proceeding to encourage, or even mandate, use of such
technologies to "enhance the ability of a parent to
protect his or her child from indecent or objectionable
programming, as determined by such parent."
The Parents Television Council, for one, is hoping the
House takes up the bill.
“The unanimous passage of the Child Safe Viewing Act is
a clear message to the television networks and to the
FCC that our elected representatives understand the
significance of this issue," said PTC President Tim
Winter in a statement. "We encourage members of the
House of Representatives to move swiftly to consider
this Senate bill." |
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