The Age of Responsibility
The head of the National Association of Broadcasters, who should be speaking out on behalf of the First Amendment, is suggesting that indecency regulations be extended to cable and satellite. NAB President and CEO Eddie Fritts says broadcasters prefer "responsible industry self-regulation" to government action, but added, "If Congress decides to regulate broadcasters for indecency, does it make any sense for cable, satellite TV (and) radio to get a free pass?"The answer to Fritts' question is yes. It makes sense because the government owns the broadcasting spectrum. They do not own the cable service and satellite technology that brings information and entertainment into our homes.
Fritts' comments, of course, reflect the broadcasters' selfish financial interest. Bored and dissatisfied consumers have been abandoning broadcast television and radio in droves over two decades, as broadcast fare becomes more bland, repetitious, and corporate-driven.
Cable and satellite companies have already taken critical steps to block questionable material. Virtually every cable system offers technology that locks out channels and programs. Inherently, the process of cable subscription provides parental control.
Ironically, even the Babysitter-in-chief George W. Bush is not advocating this expansion. "I think there ought to be a standard," he said last week, "On the other hand, I fully understand that the final edit, or the final decision is a parent turning off the TV."
Whoa! Here we have the President actually advocating policy in step with his rhetoric regarding personal responsibility. So, of course, a White House spokesperson stepped in Friday to annouce that Bush had "misspoke." Apparently, he was simply expressing support for legislation that passed the House increasing broadcasting fines, not addressing cable and satellite technology. These moments of unintentional honesty are the only benefits of having a dunce as President.
Eddie Fritts won't be making many more speeches. He's stepping down from the position he's held for 23 years as soon as a successor can be found. Unfortunately, support for cable and satellite regulation is NAB policy.
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Quote of the day:
George W. Bush, after signing the rewrite of the Code that makes it more difficult to file for bankruptcy:
"Bankruptcy should always be a last resort in our legal system. If someone does not pay his or her debts, the rest of society ends up paying for them."
Statistic of the day:
Our national debt, 11:22pm cst, 4/21/05--- $7,784,737,622,270.32
posted by CM @ 11:28 PM
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