Posted: Mon., Mar. 5, 2007, 4:09pm PT

Rockefeller vexed by TV violence

Politicians urges FCC to tighten regulations

By William Triplett

Rockefeller

McDowell

Congress and the Federal Communications Commission must "take steps to reduce excessive violence on television," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), who is prepared to reintroduce legislation that would significantly expand FCC authority over content.

"Frankly, the status quo is not an option," Rockefeller said Monday in a statement, in which he called upon the FCC to "provide Congress with real solutions in the agency's upcoming report on television violence."

In 2004 Congress asked the FCC to study the impact of TV violence on children. The agency is expected to deliver its report in the coming weeks; according to recent news reports, a preliminary draft includes a section asserting that the FCC already has statutory authority to regulate violent content.

However, FCC commissioner Robert McDowell just last week suggested to the National Assn. of Broadcasters that self-regulation of violent content, as well as future technological filters would likely be the best solutions.

"Commissioner McDowell's suggestion is shortsighted," Rockefeller said. "The broadcasters have already tried and failed in their attempts at self-regulation. The bottom line is, if they can't or won't do it, then the federal government must step up to the plate."

In the previous Congress, Rockefeller introduced a bill that would grant FCC regulatory authority over violent as well as indecent content; it would also cover content on cable and satellite. Currently, the FCC only regulates indecent content that is broadcast.

The bill did not pass, but Rockefeller said he plans to reintroduce it.

"If necessary, Congress must be prepared to give the FCC explicit authority over violent programming," Rockefeller said. "And, if constitutional questions arise, then it will be the job of the courts to work it out on a case-by-case basis. Just sitting on our hands is not an option.

"Violent programming on television has reached dangerous proportions, and conventional wisdom tells us it's only going to get worse," Rockefeller continued. "That's why it's so important for the federal government now -- both through the FCC and Congress -- to address this issue."