Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Congress, FCC Focus on Pay Television Indecency

Feb 11, 2004 5:03AM PST

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:Congress, FCC Focus on Pay Television Indecency
Feb 11, 2004 5:14AM PST
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain urged cable and satellite companies to offer parents the ability to pick and choose what channels they get so they can protect their children from violence, sex and profanity, an idea that resonated with other lawmakers and regulators.

This sounds like the best solution to me. This way, nobody can complain about being "forced" to view programming they find objectionable, and those who wish to view that programming aren't prevented from doing so.

Undoubtedly the cable/satellite companies will cry about how expensive it will be to customize their programming this way, so get ready for the rate hikes if they do it.

In addition, there's a movement afoot in the FCC to increase the fines tenfold for violations like the Super Bowl incident.
- Collapse -
Re:Re:Congress, FCC Focus on Pay Television Indecency
Feb 11, 2004 5:21AM PST

Be easier if they had a basic standard package that was child appropriate, and anything more than that be in a premium package. Still, I wouldn't complain about being able to pick and choose. It might even be a benefit helping to remove some of the trash cable that doesn't get chosen.

- Collapse -
Satellite users here, a question
Feb 11, 2004 9:30AM PST

How are they set up? they have several packages but there is still a large mix of types of channels in each one isn't there?

Never been exposed to satellite tv other than sales pitches myself.

roger

- Collapse -
This will give you an idea
Feb 11, 2004 10:19AM PST
- Collapse -
Re: Congress, FCC Focus on Pay Television Indecency
Feb 11, 2004 11:55AM PST

Hi, KP.
Almost all of those who spoke out (Markey being one notable exception) are Republicans, and as usual they're consistent with their policy of getting government off the backs of government and interjecting into what people can and can't do in the privacy of their own homes. First of all, "indecency" is a totally subjective value judgement and cannot form the basis of law or government action. So the Courts have ruled time and time again.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

- Collapse -
Since the Supreme Court doesn't want to deal with "decency" and
Feb 11, 2004 3:36PM PST

what it might mean in law, perhaps we should pass a rule that requires them to sit butt naked when they are in session and see how long it takes them to understand a "decency" concept in law.