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more on FCC wants to regulate "violence" on broadcast and basic cable TV
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:01:49 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Seth Finkelstein <sethf () sethf com> Date: April 24, 2007 7:23:19 AM EDT To: David Farber <dave () farber net>, ip () v2 listbox com Cc: lauren () vortex comSubject: Re: [IP] FCC wants to regulate "violence" on broadcast and basic cable TV
[For IP, if worthy]
From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com> Here we go. The FCC is about to release a report to Congress suggesting that lawmakers enact legislation controlling "violent content" -- not only on broadcast television but apparently on "basic cable" channels as well. See: http://tinyurl.com/267ea5 (Washington Post article)
This is so far out from my understanding of both the limits of the FCC's power and that US law basically cannot regulate "violent content" that I thought there must be another aspect to the story. Aha! Page 2 of the article: "According to FCC sources, the report's recommendations include the creation of an "a la carte" system that would allow consumers to buy only the cable channels they want -- a favorite plan of Martin's that is widely opposed by cable companies." THAT's what this is about - the "a la carte" cable-pricing issue. The "violent content" posturing, and any proposals for new laws, are just an excuse, in order to get to a "compromise" proposal of having an "a la carte" cable-pricing system justified by saying consumers need to able to choose not to have the violent "basic cable" channels. No need to ask "who benefits?" - it'll be in the report. -- Seth Finkelstein Consulting Programmer http://sethf.com Infothought blog - http://sethf.com/infothought/blog/ Interview: http://sethf.com/essays/major/greplaw-interview.php ------------------------------------------- Archives: http://v2.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now RSS Feed: http://v2.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/ Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
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- more on FCC wants to regulate "violence" on broadcast and basic cable TV David Farber (Apr 24)