NYT/Reuters: Senate Democrats Urge Tighter Broadcast Guidelines: Want programming requirements

[DeepModem Mom]

Senate Democrats Urge Tighter Broadcast Guidelines
By REUTERS
Published: February 1, 2007

WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) - Senate Democrats on Thursday pressured the five FCC commissioners to set programming requirements for broadcasters as part of the industry's mandate to operate in the public interest.

In the Federal Communications Commission's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.

Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals.'' Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.

"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in,'' Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility.''

The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would precisely define programming that serves the "public interest.''...

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-media-fcc.html