Indecency complaints 99-44/100ths impure

Link: Broadcasting & Cable: The Business of Television.

Wherein we learn that the huge spike in indecency complaints lodged at the FCC in third quarter 2005 came as a result of one organization: yep, the Parents Television Council. The PTC filed 23,542 of the 23,547 complaints the FCC received in July, mostly against the same two programs, including "The Inside" on Fox. How'd you like to have their Xerox lease contract?

This just goes to show that indecency is a dead letter. No one cares if there's a sodomy reference on Fox. People clearly expect sodomy references on Fox. In fact, I'm guessing they're disappointed if Fox doesn't throw them one every now and then. The only people outraged appear to be the ones who raise money by telling their donors how outraged they are at network television. The donors, I'm guessing, don't watch the shows that PTC complains about.

Fortunately, it appears the mainstream media is getting wise to the group's tactics, as evidenced by the article above. Perhaps if we keep bringing up that lawsuit where PTC had to pay damages to Vince McMahon -- of all people -- for one of Brent Bozell's typically understated pronouncements about TV violence, then more folks will direct their outrage where it's more appropriate: at the Parents Television Council and the government resources it eats up trying to prolong a crusade that is all but over.

Comments

[Nate Weibush]

Nicely said. These asshats have been affecting what is on TV for way to long. I've written them several complaints and even gotten one in return. I told them they were hypocrites for having the transcript of "The Real World" on their FREE website where any child could read it, yet they were complaining about TV. She tip-toed around the question and told me that it was a necessary evil.

Hopefully more people get tired of these holier than thou morons trying to tell us what our morals should be.

[Matt C.]

Thank You. I'm tried of the right influencing the government process for their own interests. What makes their form-letter campaign counterproductive is if there is really something that is objectionable, who would care. Boy who cried wolf, or in this case, boy who cried sodomy. There's a joke there, but I won't touch it.

[Jay Roberts]

I wrote the FCC commission a letter strongly objecting to the BS that PTC puts out. I hope the PTC will finally get censored because of my letter.

"I wrote the FCC commission a letter strongly objecting to the BS that PTC puts out. I hope the PTC will finally get censored because of my letter."

Real nice Jay, you want to censor people for what you view as censorship. Am I the only one who realizes the irony of this statement?

[Gnat]

I personally haven't joined the PTC, but as the parent of a 5 and a 7 year old I often find my self wanting to complain.

Example, we recently tried watching a children's movie on TV but ended up going to the video store and renting the same movie - why? The commercials were adult rated - one 30 second spot for a halloween horror movie had my 5 year old up 3 nights in a row with nightmares.

I'm not a prude, but why are they advertising Viagra and Cialis during a children's show? Why show a murder to promote CSI? Why show a promo to an age group that obviously won't be watching?

The answer, they don't care about our children until they are old enough to spend money with their sponsors.

[Kyle J]

He's not trying to censor the PTC, he's trying to counteract their tactics. He just used the word "censored" in the wrong context. It should have been the word "ignored."

Yeah, because the left never inluences the government for their own personal gain :)

[notanother1]

I hate to say it, but who has time to waste on television? My wife and I choose not to watch it. We do other things. Doesn't make us better, or worse than anyone. There's nothing worth watching, so why bother? In order for television broadcasters to make money, they have to cater to the greatest common factor, which in this case happens to be the lowest common denominator. My wife and I aren't part of that group, so we do other stuff. If the PTC weren't part of that group, they'd do other stuff too. Christians believe that if "you train a child in the way (Christianity), they will follow it in old age." Set an example, shut the dang thing off.

(Not exactly the way I would put it, but I agree: Don't like it? Don't watch!--AB)

[rs]

the word for what Jay wants to have happen to the PTC is CENSURED, not CENSORED. Sheesh.

As for me, I hope the PTC gets censUred for their attempt to force their idiotic lifestyle choices onto other people through governmental agencies.

[Daniela]

Anonymous, you might be the one NOT realizing the sarcasm in Jay's statement. If you need proof, think about the ways the FCC can actually censor the PTC. Coming up blank? There ya go.

[Dave McGurgan]

Excellent and concise statement of the state of indecency (or lack thereof)!

[Mark Jeffries]

Mr. Freed:

I hate to say it, but if you're making appointment viewing for any TV showing of a theatrical movie that isn't on a premium channel, TCM, IFC or Sundance (the channels that don't chop up movies for time or content and don't insert commercial breaks), to put it politely, your reasoning is already suspect. Sorry. Movies on ad-supported TV are only good for catching that favorite scene while you're channel-surfing--if they haven't chopped it into oblivion.

[Gnat]

Mark missed my point completely. My wife and I severely limit when and what our children watch on TV because of the content of the commercials. We could use the sugared cereal and magic pen commercials to teach our children some valuable life lessons . . . but we (and they) aren't ready for Viagra explanations, murder scenes, sanitary napkins, evil spirits ... a a whole lot more. Try taping Blues Clues or Dora the Explorer on Saturday morning, then watch only the commercials. You'll probably be shocked at the content. If you're not shocked, you probably don't have a 5 year old at home!

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with my reasoning. When you have a 5 and 7 year old they have friends and know what specials are coming up on the tube!

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