Since the last censorship thread has gotten so much traffic, I’d like to point out this article from Mediaweek about those who’d like the FCC to clamp down on what you can see and hear on TV and radio…
Activists Dominate Content Complaints
In an appearance before Congress in February, when the controversy over Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl moment was at its height, Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell laid some startling statistics on U.S. senators.
The number of indecency complaints had soared dramatically to more than 240,000 in the previous year, Powell said. The figure was up from roughly 14,000 in 2002, and from fewer than 350 in each of the two previous years. There was, Powell said, “a dramatic rise in public concern and outrage about what is being broadcast into their homes.”
What Powell did not reveal — apparently because he was unaware — was the source of the complaints. According to a new FCC estimate obtained by Mediaweek, nearly all indecency complaints in 2003 — 99.8 percent — were filed by the Parents Television Council, an activist group.
This year, the trend has continued, and perhaps intensified.
Through early October, 99.9 percent of indecency complaints — aside from those concerning the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” during the Super Bowl halftime show broadcast on CBS — were brought by the PTC, according to the FCC analysis dated Oct. 1. (The agency last week estimated it had received 1,068,767 complaints about broadcast indecency so far this year; the Super Bowl broadcast accounted for over 540,000, according to commissioners’ statements.)
The prominent role played by the PTC has raised concerns among critics of the FCC’s crackdown on indecency. “It means that really a tiny minority with a very focused political agenda is trying to censor American television and radio,” said Jonathan Rintels, president and executive director of the Center for Creative Voices in Media, an artists’ advocacy group.
The article goes on to highlight how a $1.2 million fine was levied by complaints from less than one in a million viewers of a given show.
• 
Phinn,
“This reminds me of an old joke. Conservatives love the NRA because it defends the Constitution. Conservatives hate the ACLU because it defends the Constitution.”
Reminds me of this joke. Liberals love the ACLU because it defends the Constitution. Liberals hate the NRA because it defends the Constitution.
Kingbob,
“Wow, that’s sad. 500 people complain and the FCC holds an emergency meeting?…If that’s not a prime example of the vocal minority getting a controlling hand in the government, I don’t know what is.”
In a way, you’re correct. 500 does seem kind of small. But if people like Joe Lieberman are members, that may have something to do with it.
Also, a “vocal minority” FREQUENTLY has a huge (and arguably disproportionate) impact on government and /or corporate decision-making.
Having been around many political offices, a letter to a politician was generally regarded as representing at least 100 people who felt the same way, even strongly, but did not bother to write in themselves.
Also, why do we have protective seals on so much of our medicines now? Because, what, eight (maybe less) people died in the Tylenol incident years ago? You could argue that the number of people who had been directly affected by this were statistically insignificant, even if you include the families. But it resulted in a change for everyone.
Also, the fear of SOME child beng allergic to peanut butter and ignorantly eating it anyway has led many school districts to ban peanut butter (and jelly, presumably) sandwiches, despite the facts that:
1.)The overwhelming number of kids are not allergic to peanuts, and most of them (and their parents) have enough sense not to eat it if they are
2.) Peanut butter is a cheap way to give children something nutritional to eat
And let’s not forget that in a country that is overwhelmingly Christian, there are more and more culture clashes to protect the minority of those who may be offended or made to feel uncomfortable.
Bladestar,
“PTC is a major negative. It means you let a fictional book and the ignorant members of the church do your thinking for you.”
As you would say to Jim, how exactly would you know that all the members of the PTC are Christian? (Joe Lieberman is Jewish, by the way.)
Or even religious? Did you poll the organization and fnd that there were zero atheists who were part of the group who may simply be concerned parents?
If not, then this is just another bile-filled diatribe from you. Which, don’t get me wrong, is what you do best.
Tim Lynch,
“A lot of people here are generally on your side of the television fence. I humbly suggest that you not work so hard to alienate them.”
Tim, kudos for your sentiments. But, really, where have you been? Bladestar lives to alienate people and insult them (notice didn’t say offend them, because in that respect, Bladestar is right. He can only spout words. I would have to choose to take offense. Which choose not to do when I consider the source).
The constant stream of venom toward people or groups he disagrees with leads me to conclude:
A.) He’s just rude for the hëll of it
B.) He’s a very angry person
C.) Well, let’s just leave it that it may go beyond simple anger.
Marc Mielke,
“So, where can we organize the FCC to put MORE violence and sex on television? I keep hearing mewling cries for less, but who speaks for what I want: sex-in-the-death-hole violence and pørņ-quality sex during the Dinner Hour?”
“Why should I suffer because some áššhølëš can’t control their stupid kids?”
Did the spirit of George Carlin enter your body or something:) This was pretty funny. It reminds me of an editorial on an old “Saturday Night Live” in which a guy says, “There should be MORE sex and violence on TV! Why are we stuck watching corny crap like ‘Little House On The Prairie’? Let’s see Laura’s bøøbš! Then blow up the house!”
Gene Hall,
“In regards to ‘NYPD Blue’ – still a great show but very noticeably toned down now. It’s disturbing that the creative folks behind these shows have to be concerned about confirming (CONFORMING) to censorship.”
Are you sure that’s what it is? Could the toning down simply be a creative decision? I remember Sam Waterston’s Jack McCoy seemed to have “toned down” a bit especially during the Angie harmon years, but it was all part of character development. He is closer to his original “Hang “Em High McCoy” days now, though still with shadings,
“Secondly, about the Desperate Housewives skit, would this have ever been such an issue had the piece not featured Ms. Sheridan jumping into the arms of a black man. Of course not.”
You’re right, but not in the way you think. Because despite what you may instinctively think, while some whites obviously didn’t care for that portrayal, it was mainly blacks who condemned the skit. Hëll, it wasn’t even a controversy until high-profile, respected (and black) NFL head coach Tony Dungy made a big deal about it promoting “stereotypes” of black men, and the only people I know who were REALLY upset about it were black women, who REALLY love white women, especially BLONDES, with black men by the way.
Deano,
“The thing I don’t get is if there is such ‘moral outrage’ over things like Stern and ‘Desperate Housewives’, why are ratings not reflecting it.”
Well, first, because with so many choices these days, if you reach a targeted demographic or niche, you can be considered a hit.
Second, and most importantly, (there was just an article about it today) about 70% of the people in this country are either ‘delusional’ or flat-out hypocrites:)
Ask people and they’ll tell you they want more educational programs and documentaries.
But…
Many of the older people I know who lament “all that sex and violence and language” in movies revere “Saving Private Ryan.”
Many of those who bash Hollywood for all of the above and have stayed away from it as a result were perfectly willing to endure the blood-filled “The Passion Of the Christ.” Many even were able to screen it in their own churches!
And countless soccer moms who rail against all of the above for their children and will bash publications like “Playboy” for beng responsibles for the supposed “glass ceiling” will think nothing of watching soap operas all afternoon, with people f—–g each other both liteally and figuratively on a constant basis.
BTW like what you said about “Saving Private Ryan”. I feel the same way about “We Were Soldiers”. Have you seen it? If not, get it. I think you’ll like it.
Bladestar,
“And Jim, how do you (know) how much of the American population doesn’t like D.H. Did you poll all 275 million of them? No.”
How do you know? (Kidding)
“So your hypothetical is as full of šhìŧ as you are.”
Jim, unlike you, obviously knows the meaning of the word HYPOTHETICAL! But then he, and most of the rest of the posters here seem to know the meanings of lots of words that you do, including:
Clue. Courtesy. Respect. Intelligence. Tolerance.
Please, buy a dictionary sometime. It may prove useful.
Craig,
“Still stupid, eh Craigy?”
This thread is a perfect example of why sometimes get concerned when you seem to get more angry, and prone to stereotypes and insults in describing those who disagree with you.
Look who you could become like if you contnue down that path.
I’m only looking out for you, Craig:)
Bladestar: the issue around which liberals and conservatives can at long last agree.
Hey Jerome, what brand of coffee were you drinking this morning? 🙂
Jerome, ok, I’ll give you peanut butter. Schools not offering it because of an uncommon allergy is just plain stupid. almost as stupid as *zero* tolerance programs.
But safety seals on medicine/food isn’t about actual impacts. It’s about potential impacts, and not really about an insignificant statistical impact. Things like pins and stuff popped up every now and then in food/consumer goods before the Tylonal deaths. But no one died, and it seemed a harmless prank. Then people died, and it wasn’t so harmless anymore. Its the unfortunate case where people have to die to expose a weakness in our safety, and for a few pennies per unit, there’s a really quick and easy fix…safety seals. The potential impact/risk wasn’t just to those handful of people who died, it was to just about everyone.
Censoring public broadcasts because a few hundred people, who seem to have TV sets stuck on channels that offend them, or maybe they just lost their remotes and can’t figure out how to manually work the cable box, is not nearly the same thing.
Although it is like peanut butter.
Jerome,
Put the RED BULL down.:)
While i didnt read the article the percentage of hypocrites and delusional people does not surprise me.
Its like a woman i work with who is pro-war but is deathly afraid of the idea of her sons having to go one day.
No i havent seen”WE WERE SOLDIERS” keep meaning to and may try to rent it this weekend.
Yes ,i have a BIG problem with the soap operas too.There are things i have seen on some them that is way beyond some of the “offensive ” shows in primetime.
BTW in reference to MNF ,I was surprised Tony Dungy was upset.Yes ,I understand for many the Black men with White women thing is TABOO but ya know i think there are bigger issues to be concerned with …like why black women make an unusually high percentage of new HIV/AIDS cases.
I’m only looking out for you, Craig:)
I have my bad days, but I don’t fill this board with posts that insult just about *everybody* that comes here, regardless of who’s side they are on.
I just try and stick to insulting neocons. 😉
Bill Mulligan,
“Bladestar: the issue around which liberals and conservatives can at long last agree.”
Almost brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?:)
“Hey Jerome, what brand of coffee were you drinking this morning?”
Actually, it wasn’t coffee (or Red Bull). It was Coca-Cola:)
kingbobb,
“Jerome, ok, I’ll give you peanut butter.”
(Homer Simpson voice) Mmmmm…peeeanut butter!
No, seriously, thanks. As for the Tylenol example, I agree I could have come up with a better example, but I was waaaay tired:)
Deano,
“It’s like a woman I work with who is pro-war but is deathly afraid of her sons having to go one day.”
I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as hypocritical. She may support the war. She might even be proud of her sond if they went because she respects their decision and/or thinks the war is just.
But I don’t think there is a loving mother in human history who has jumped up and down over the thought of her children going to war.
“No. I haven’t seen ‘We Were Soldiers’ keep meaning to and may try to rent it this weekend.”
Please do. It is a different, high-quality Vietnam film. Hey, I didn’t steer you wrong when I said you should stay with ‘Identity Crisis’, did I?
“Yes. I have a big problem with the soap operas too.”
I don’t have a problem with the PROGRAMMING. I have a problem with feminists who will find everything from the Miss America Pageant to cheerleaders to Hooters as “oppressing” women, and then turn around and excuse shows where EVERYONE lies, cheats, steals and f—s to get ahead as a harmless diversion.
“There are bigger issues to be concerned with…like why black women make an unusually high percentage of new HIV/AIDS cases.”
Sadly, you are correct.
As for my original point, it was unfortunately reinforced at our company’s Christmas party tonight.
We have an extremely diverse workplace and everyone interacts with each other. Everyone was having a GREAT time. And then during the last song, a fracas broke out.
Seems one of the younger, newer black female employees didn’t like that a cute white female was dancing with a black man (who she is pregnant by, by the way). When she tried to provoke her, one of the cute girl’s black female friends told her that she “would not be having that.”
Thwarted in that, the young black female turned to the cute white girl’s blonde friend and started poking her in the face.
All hëll broke loose, and the evening ended on a bad note. Just because a young black woman couldn’t stand the sight of a black man with a white girl.
The statements by each were telling.
The blonde said: “Black, white, green, I am not letting anybody do that to me.”
The young black woman said: “F–k that white bìŧçh!”
Sad, really.
Jerome:
” I didn’t steer you wrong when I said you should stay with ‘Identity Crisis’, did I?”
True,but I dont still dont know who the dámņ killer(s)is !!
As far as your experience at the office party,your right it is very sad.I have always been attracted to just women in general with no specific race in mind,so I dont get the hatred
at all.
Deano,
ME: “I didn’t steer you wrong when I said you should stay with ‘Identity Crisis’, did I?”
YOU: “True, but I still don’t know who the killer is!”
I know. They certainly at the end of issue 6 want to convince us it’s a certain major character in the DC Universe, but I sense a HUGE curveball coming.
“As far as your experience at the office party, your right it is very sad.”
Yep.
“I have always been atacted to just women in general with no race in mind”
Same here. While there are obviously women am not attracted to, I have founf beauty in women of all colors, shapes and sizes.
“so I don’t get the hatred at all.”
Me either, although I feel ignorance and the “I’m a victim/my life sucks because of PEOPLE LIKE YOU mentality has something to do with it.
According to Jeff Jarvis, he filed an FOIA request regarding the protests about Fox’s “Married by America” special.
Fox was fined $1.2 Million because there were 23 complaints. Twenty-one of those were identical, so Fox was fined that much, essentially, because THREE people thought it was important enough to write letters*.
This disturbs me to no end. Like these protesters, I agree that the series was tasteless and offensive, though my desire to see it gone had MUCH more to do with the fact that it was devoid of entertainment value (and that the popularity of shows like this helped get Firefly cancelled — I’m still sore about that). However, I tend to protest by voting with my remote (and, occasionally, writing the network to let them know WHY they’ve lost my viewership), not by protesting to the FCC.
*Copying someone else’s letter for such things, even if they willingly provide it, is an act of such laziness that your protest should be ignored. If you want to stage a group protest, at least make it obvious by signing a petition.
URL for the Jeff Jarvis piece I mentioned:
http://www.buzzmachine.com/archives/2004_11_15.html#008481